Biology Disease
Drugs and Medicines

Drug Name Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic

Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic Drug Category BRIMONIDINE OPHTHALMIC SOLUTION

Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic Drug Information

IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug. BRIMONIDINE OPHTHALMIC SOLUTION (bry-MOW-nih-deen) COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Alphagan USES: This medication is used to treat glaucoma or high fluid pressures in the eye. HOW TO USE: For best results this medication must be used routinely as directed. Continue using it for the full time prescribed. To apply eye drops, wash hands first. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface. Tilt your head back, gaze upward and pull down the lower eyelid to make a pouch. Place dropper directly over eye and administer the prescribed number of drops. Look downward and gently close your eye for 1 to 2 minutes. Place one finger at the corner of the eye near the nose and apply gentle pressure. This will prevent the medication from draining away from the eye. Try not to blink and do not rub the eye. Do not rinse the dropper. Replace cap after use. If you are using another kind of eye drop, wait at least five minutes before applying other medications. SIDE EFFECTS: Red, itching eyes, blurred vision or eye discomfort, headache, foreign body sensation, drowsiness or dry mouth may occur. If these continue or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Unlikely but report: dizziness, stomach discomfort, eyelid crusting, abnormal taste, insomnia, depression, anxiety, palpitations, sensitivity to light, nasal dryness. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. PRECAUTIONS: Before using this drug, tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: allergies (especially drug allergies), liver or kidney disease, heart or blood vessel disease, depression, Raynaud's disease, low blood pressure (orthostasis). It is not known whether this drug is excreted into human milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. Wait at least 15 minutes after using brimonidine drops before inserting soft contact lenses. Limit alcohol use as this can contribute to the drowsiness effect that can occur with this drug. Use caution performing tasks that require alertness. DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication you may take, especially of: MAO inhibitors (e.g., selegiline, furazolidone, phenelzine, tranylcypromine), sleep medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, anxiety medicine (e.g., diazepam), narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine, morphine), barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital), psychiatric medications (e.g., amitriptyline, trazodone, chlorpromazine), certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), muscle relaxants (e.g., cyclobenzaprine), beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol, metoprolol, timolol eye drops), high blood pressure medication, digoxin. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. 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-up" the dose to catch up. STORAGE: Store at room temperature at or below 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not freeze.