What is the most important information I should know about Alphagan?
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.
Do not use Alphagan if you have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.
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. Alphagan may contain a preservative (benzalkonium chloride) that may cause discoloration of contact lenses.
Do not touch the dropper to any surface, including the eyes or hands. If the dropper becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in your eye.
What is Alphagan?
Alphagan lowers the amount of fluid inside your eyes and also helps the eyes drain fluid more effectively.
Alphagan is used to treat open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension (high pressure inside the eye).
Alphagan may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Alphagan?
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.
Alphagan is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether brimonidine passes into breast milk. Do not use Alphagan without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I use Alphagan?
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.
Wash your hands before using the eye drops.
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. Alphagan 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.
Alphagan is usually used three times a day. Follow your doctor's directions.
Do not touch the dropper to any surface, including the eyes or hands. If the dropper becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in your eye.
Do not use the eye drops if the liquid changes colors or has particles in it.
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?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine, or if anyone has accidentally swallowed it. An overdose of this medication is unlikely to be harmful.
What should I avoid while using Alphagan?
Brimonidine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid using other medications in your eyes during treatment with Alphagan unless your doctor has told you to.
What are the possible side effects of Alphagan?
Stop using brimonidine and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
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 Alphagan?
Do not use Alphagan if you have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.
Although drug interactions between Alphagan 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 Alphagan. Also, Alphagan 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.
