Alphagan P

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

Brimonidine reduces the amount of fluid in the eye, which decreases pressure inside the eye.

Brimonidine ophthalmic may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Before using brimonidine ophthalmic, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, circulation problems such as Raynaud's or Buerger's disease, or a history of fainting or low blood pressure.

Do not allow the dropper tip to touch any surface, including the eyes or hands. If the dropper becomes contaminated it could cause an infection in your eye, which can lead to vision loss or serious damage to the eye.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to brimonidine.

Before using brimonidine ophthalmic, tell your doctor if you have:

• kidney disease;
• liver disease;

• heart disease or high blood pressure;

• circulation problems, such as Raynaud's syndrome or Buerger's disease; or

• a history of fainting or low blood pressure.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use brimonidine ophthalmic.

Use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

To apply the eye drops:

• Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the dropper above the eye with the dropper tip down. Look up and away from the dropper as you squeeze out a drop, then close your eye.

• Gently press your finger to the inside corner of the eye (near your nose) for about 1 minute to keep the liquid from draining into your tear duct.

• If you use any other eye medications, wait about 5 minutes after using brimonidine eye drops before using the other medication.

• Do not allow the dropper tip to touch any surface, including the eyes or hands. If the dropper becomes contaminated it could cause an infection in your eye, which can lead to vision loss or serious damage to the eye.

Do not use the eye drops if the liquid has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.

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

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.

• slow or uneven heart rate;

• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;

• shallow breathing, feeling like you might pass out;

• severe swelling, redness, or discomfort in or around your eye;

• eye pain or increased watering; or

• numbness or tingly feeling in your hands or feet.

Less serious side effects may include:

• burning, stinging, or itching of your eyes;

• feeling like something is in your eye;

• blurred vision;

• redness of the eye or eyelid;

• mildly swollen or puffy eyes;

• sensitivity to light;

• nausea, upset stomach;

• headache, dizziness;

• muscle pain;

• tired feeling;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• dry nose or mouth; or

• unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before using brimonidine ophthalmic, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medications:

• blood pressure medications;

• digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);

• a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), betaxolol (Betoptic, Kerlone), bisoprolol (Zebeta), carteolol (Cartrol, Ocupress), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), timolol (Betimol, Blocadren, Cosopt, Timoptic, Istalol), and others; or

• antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with brimonidine ophthalmic. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about brimonidine ophthalmic.

• 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.

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