BRIMONIDINE OPHTHALMIC

GENERIC NAME(S): BRIMONIDINE TARTRATE

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Alphagan P

 

Description: An alpha agonist that lowers fluid pressure in the eye by allowing better drainage of fluid from within the eye and also reducing the amount of fluid formed.

  • Open-angle glaucoma or high fluid pressure in the eye
  • Not recommended for use in children less than 2 years of age due to an increased risk of serious side effects such as very slowed breathing

How to use brimonidine ophthalmic

  • To apply eye drops, wash your hands first. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface.
  • Remove contact lenses (if using them) before applying medication. Wait at least 15 minutes before putting in your contact lens.
  • Tilt your head back, look upward and pull down the lower eyelid to make a pouch. Hold the dropper directly over your eye and insert one drop, usually three times daily, or as directed by your doctor. Look downward and gently close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Place one finger at the corner of your eye (near the nose) and apply gentle pressure. Try not to blink and do not rub your eye. This will prevent the medication from draining out. Repeat these steps for your other eye if so directed by your doctor.
  • Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap after each use.
  • If you are using another kind of eye medication (e.g., drops or ointments), wait at least 5 minutes before applying the other medications. Use eye drops before eye ointments to allow the eye drops to enter the eye.
  • It is important to continue this medication even if you do not have any symptoms. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same times each day. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.
  • Inform your doctor if your condition worsens.

Not available.

  • Minor side effects (if these symptoms persist or worsen, inform your doctor)
    • Eye discomfort/itching/redness, blurred vision, dizziness, dry mouth, bad taste in the mouth, drowsiness, or tiredness
  • Serious side effects (inform your doctor immediately)
    • Fast/pounding heartbeats, persistent headache, eye pain/burning/swelling, extreme sensitivity to light, vision changes
    • Fainting, slow/irregular heartbeats
  • Severe allergic reactions are rare. Get immediate medical help if you notice the following:
    • Rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing

Precautions

  • Inform your doctor
    • Allergy to the medication or apraclonidine or any allergies
    • Medical History, especially of:
      • blood vessel diseases (thromboangiitis obliterans), blood circulation disorders (cerebral or coronary insufficiency), depression, severe heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, Raynaud’s disease, low blood pressure upon standing (orthostatic hypotension)
  • This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or cause blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.
  • Caution is advised when using this medication in children because they may be more sensitive to its side effects, especially drowsiness.
  • This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
  • It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

 

Interactions

Taking multiple drugs may affect how medications work and/or cause unwanted side effects. List down all the medications you are taking and inform your physician and pharmacist. Do not take, discontinue, or alter any dose of medications without prior approval of your physician.

  • Products that may interact with this medication include:
    • beta-blockers (e.g., atenolol, metoprolol, timolol eye drops), digoxin, high blood pressure medications (e.g., clonidine, terazosin), tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline).
    • Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., diazepam), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital), medicine for sleep (e.g., zolpidem), muscle relaxants (e.g., cyclobenzaprine), narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine), tranquilizers.
  • Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients.

Overdose

If swallowing or overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room right away.

Notes: Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., measuring intraocular pressure) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

  • Room temperature
  • Do not expose to light and moisture
  • Do not store in the bathroom
  • Keep all medications away from pets and children
  • Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so
  • Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed
    • Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product

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