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Generic Name: brimonidine ophthalmic (bri MO ni deen)
Brand Names: Alphagan, Alphagan-P

What is brimonidine ophthalmic?

Brimonidine ophthalmic lowers the amount of fluid inside your eyes and also helps the eyes drain fluid more effectively.

Brimonidine ophthalmic may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about brimonidine ophthalmic?

Before using brimonidine, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, or circulation problems. Also tell your doctor if you take any medications to treat these conditions.

If you wear contact lenses, remove them before applying brimonidine. Ask your doctor if contact lenses can be reinserted after putting in the brimonidine eye drops. Brimonidine ophthalmic may contain a preservative (benzalkonium chloride) that may cause discoloration of contact lenses.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using brimonidine ophthalmic?

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have:

• kidney disease;
• liver disease;

• heart disease or high blood pressure;

• Raynaud's disease (poor circulation);

• Buerger's disease or Winiwarter-Buerger disease (circulation or blood vessel disorder, especially in the legs);

• poor blood flow in the arteries of the heart or neck;

• dizziness; or

• depression.

If you have any of the conditions listed above, you may not be able to use brimonidine or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

How should I use brimonidine ophthalmic?

Use brimonidine exactly as your doctor has prescribed it for you. Do not use more of the medication than recommended. Do not use this medication for longer than your doctor has prescribed.

If you wear contact lenses, remove them before applying brimonidine. Ask your doctor if contact lenses can be reinserted after putting in the brimonidine eye drops. Brimonidine ophthalmic may contain a preservative (benzalkonium chloride) that may cause discoloration of contact lenses.

To apply the eye drops:

• Tilt your head back slightly and pull down on the lower eyelid. Hold the dropper above the eye with the dropper tip down. Look up and away from the dropper. Squeeze out a drop and close your eye. Gently press your finger to the inside corner of the eye (near the nose) for about 1 minute to keep the liquid from draining into your tear duct. If you use more than one drop in the same eye, wait about 5 minutes before putting in the next drop.

Brimonidine ophthalmic is usually used three times a day. Follow your doctor's directions.

Store the drops at room temperature away from heat and moisture. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while using brimonidine ophthalmic?

Brimonidine ophthalmic side effects

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use brimonidine and talk to your doctor if you have:

• burning, stinging, or itching of the eye;

• blurred vision;

• redness or watering of the eye;

• sensitivity to light;

• swollen or puffy eyes;

• discharge from the eye;

• headache, fatigue, or dizziness;

• dry nose or mouth; or

• a change in taste.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect brimonidine ophthalmic?

Although drug interactions between brimonidine ophthalmic and drugs taken by mouth are not expected, they can occur. Drugs that make you drowsy or dizzy, such as sedatives, sleeping pills, antihistamines (allergy medicines), alcohol, and pain relievers, may cause excessive drowsiness if they are taken while using brimonidine ophthalmic. Also, brimonidine ophthalmic may further slow your heart rate or lower your blood pressure if you also take medicines for heart disease or high blood pressure.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect brimonidine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about brimonidine ophthalmic written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Brimonidine ophthalmic is available with a prescription under the brand name Alphagan in a 0.2% suspension. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.