A provider-focused update on Latisse availability in 2026. Current supply status, prescribing alternatives, patient access challenges, and tools to help your patients.
If your patients are reporting difficulty filling their Latisse (Bimatoprost 0.03%) prescriptions, you're hearing a common complaint. While Latisse is not currently listed on the FDA's drug shortage database, the medication's unique position as a cosmetic prescription product creates persistent access challenges that affect patient satisfaction and treatment adherence.
This article provides a concise overview of the current availability landscape, prescribing considerations, cost factors, and practical tools to help your patients access Bimatoprost-based eyelash treatments in 2026.
Understanding the trajectory of Latisse's availability helps contextualize current challenges:
Latisse has not experienced significant manufacturing or supply chain disruptions. The availability issues patients encounter are predominantly distribution-related rather than supply-related.
The availability landscape has several practical implications for prescribers:
Generic Bimatoprost 0.03% is therapeutically equivalent to brand-name Latisse and is available from multiple manufacturers. For most patients, prescribing generic Bimatoprost offers two key advantages:
Unless a patient specifically requires brand-name Latisse (e.g., for the included sterile applicators or patient preference), generic Bimatoprost is a practical first-line choice.
Some providers prescribe Lumigan (Bimatoprost 0.01%) off-label for eyelash enhancement. While this contains the same active ingredient, the lower concentration (0.01% vs. 0.03%) may produce less robust results. Latisse's 0.03% formulation is the only concentration with FDA approval for the eyelash hypotrichosis indication.
Key prescribing considerations include:
For a comprehensive review of interactions, see our article on Latisse drug interactions.
Current availability challenges stem from several interconnected factors:
Major chain pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart) frequently do not stock Latisse as a regular inventory item due to its cosmetic classification and variable demand. Patients may need to request special orders or seek alternative dispensing sources.
AbbVie's distribution strategy for Latisse is weighted toward aesthetic practices — dermatology offices, plastic surgery clinics, and medical spas. Providers who dispense in-office may have more reliable supply access than those who rely solely on retail pharmacy networks.
The cosmetic classification means most commercial and government insurance plans exclude Latisse from formulary coverage. This removes a key driver of pharmacy stocking decisions and places the full financial burden on patients. Some plans may provide coverage with prior authorization for documented medical hypotrichosis (e.g., alopecia areata, chemotherapy-induced lash loss).
Current pricing for patients paying out of pocket:
Directing patients to savings resources can significantly improve adherence. For a comprehensive savings guide suitable for patient handouts, see how to save money on Latisse.
Several tools can help you support patients navigating availability challenges:
Medfinder offers real-time pharmacy availability data that can help you and your staff direct patients to pharmacies that have Bimatoprost in stock. This eliminates the common scenario where patients visit multiple pharmacies or make numerous phone calls trying to locate their medication.
If your practice doesn't already dispense Latisse, consider adding it. In-office dispensing eliminates pharmacy availability concerns entirely and can improve patient experience and treatment initiation rates. Contact your AbbVie/Allergan representative for wholesale pricing and supply arrangements.
For follow-up visits and refill management, telehealth platforms can streamline the prescribing process and connect patients directly with mail-order pharmacy fulfillment. This is particularly valuable for patients in areas with limited pharmacy options.
Point your patients to these resources for self-service support:
The Latisse availability landscape is unlikely to change dramatically in the near term. As a cosmetic prescription product without broad insurance coverage, it will continue to occupy a unique space in the pharmacy ecosystem. However, several trends favor improved patient access:
Latisse availability challenges are real but manageable. Prescribing generic Bimatoprost when appropriate, connecting patients with savings programs, and leveraging tools like Medfinder can meaningfully improve patient access and satisfaction. For a complementary guide focused on practical steps, see our article on how to help your patients find Latisse in stock.
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