Active ingredient in eye drug may work as hair loss treatment

NEW YORK A drug made by Irvine, Calif.-based Allergan for treating glaucoma and missing eyelashes may also work as a treatment for hair loss, according to published reports.

The Orange County Business Journal reported recently that bimatoprost – the active ingredient in the glaucoma drug Lumigan and the eyelash-growing drug Latisse – might be able to grow hair on the scalp, though more research is needed.

The company will attempt to create a formulation and begin clinical trials, the newspaper reported a company executive as saying in a conference call with analysts.