If women want to grow longer, fuller, darker eyelashes, Brooke Shields suggests on a ubiquitous television advertisement that they ask their doctors if Latisse is right for them. But in the case of Latisse, which has sold more than a million bottles to date and gained something of a cult following, it turns out to be easy to bypass a doctor's prescription or visit. Some salon workers dispense it to clients who go in for facials. Websites in the United States and abroad sell it outright with few questions asked. Even doctors are getting into the act: For example, Dr. Anshul V. Gambhir, a former primary care doctor, runs www.latisse.bz, which boasts that it is the 'largest Latisse retailer.' All it takes to get Latisse mailed out -- without ever seeing him -- is filling out a medical history, which he reviews, and typing in a valid credit card number. 'We are doing a ton of business,' said Gambhir, who also offers Latisse at his three offices in Pennsylvania. Most people use Latisse, a topical solution, with few, if any, complaints. But the drug can cause redness, itchiness and irritation, which go away if use is discontinued. Less common is eyelid discoloration, which Allergan, the manufacturer, says 'may be reversible.' A rare side effect that has captured the most attention is the chance that one's hazel or blue eyes could turn brown -- forever. But if people use Latisse without seeing a doctor, the side effects may come as a big surprise. Cynthia O'Connor, an interior designer from Minneapolis, got Latisse from the woman who does her facials in the office of a plastic surgeon, who is listed as a Latisse provider on Allergan's website. The woman did not ask her medical history or mention a single risk, O'Connor said, and she never met the doctor. When 'very dark purply' discoloration showed up on her eyelids, O'Connor was perplexed, but took it in stride because her new plum 'eye shadow' garnered compliments. Then, the purple hue appeared under her eyes, where she had never applied Latisse. 'It looked like I hadn't slept in a month,' said O'Connor, 58. 'It was horrible.' Five months ago, she stopped using Latisse, but some discoloration is still visible. Allergan has a policy against selling Latisse online and says it will cut off supplies to doctors who do so. 'Allergan strongly believes consumers should seek consultation from a qualified doctor to determine if they are an appropriate candidate for treatment,' said Heather Katt, an Allergan spokeswoman. 