Canadian pharmacy buying guide: drug characteristics, uses and benefits, side effects and interactions, and links for further information about buying discount drugs online from Canada.

Alphagan Consumer Information

ALPHAGAN

Generic Name: brimonidine ophthalmic (bri MOE ni dine)

Brand Names: Alphagan

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

• Do not touch the dropper to any surface, including your eyes or hands. The dropper is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in your eye.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Brimonidine ophthalmic may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

What is brimonidine ophthalmic?

• Brimonidine ophthalmic reduces the amount of fluid in the eye in two ways: It reduces the production of fluid inside the eye, and it increases the amount of fluid that drains from the eye.
• Brimonidine ophthalmic is used to treat open-angle glaucoma or ocular (eye) hypertension (high pressure).
• Brimonidine ophthalmic may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not use brimonidine ophthalmic?

• Do not use brimonidine ophthalmic if you have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.
• Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you
• have kidney disease;
• have liver disease;
• have any type of heart condition, including high blood pressure;
• take medicine to treat a heart condition;
• have Raynaud's disease (poor circulation in your hands and feet);
• have poor blood flow in any of the arteries in your heart or your neck;
• experience a lot of dizziness; or
• suffer from depression.
• You may not be able to use brimonidine ophthalmic, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
• Brimonidine ophthalmic is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Do not use brimonidine ophthalmic without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
• It is not known whether brimonidine passes into breast milk. Do not use brimonidine ophthalmic without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use brimonidine ophthalmic?

• Use brimonidine ophthalmic eye drops exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse to explain them to you.
• Wash your hands before using the eye drops.
• To apply the eye drops:
• Tilt your head back slightly and pull down on your lower eyelid. Position the dropper above your eye. Look up and away from the dropper. Squeeze out a drop and close your eye. Apply gentle pressure to the inside corner of your eye (near your nose) for about 1 minute to prevent the liquid from draining down your tear duct. If you are using more than one drop in the same eye, repeat the process with about 5 minutes between drops. Repeat this process in the other eye if directed.
• Brimonidine ophthalmic is usually used three times a day. Follow your doctor's directions.
• Do not touch the dropper to any surface, including your eyes or hands. The dropper is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in your eye.
• Do not use any eye drop that is discolored or has particles in it.
• Do not wear soft contact lenses when applying this medication. Brimonidine ophthalmic contains a preservative (benzalkonium chloride) and may discolor contact lenses.
• Store the drops at room temperature away from heat and moisture. Keep the bottle properly capped.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and apply the next one as directed. Do not use a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

• An overdose of this medication is unlikely to occur. If you do suspect an overdose, flush the eye with water and call an emergency room or poison control left near you. If the drops have been ingested (taken by mouth) call an emergency left for advice.

What should I avoid while using brimonidine ophthalmic?

• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Brimonidine ophthalmic may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
• Do not touch the dropper to any surface, including your eyes or hands. The dropper is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in your eye.
• Do not wear soft contact lenses when applying this medication. Brimonidine ophthalmic contains a preservative (benzalkonium chloride) and may discolor contact lenses.
• Do not use other eye drops or medications during treatment with brimonidine ophthalmic unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What are the possible side effects of brimonidine ophthalmic?

• Serious side effects are not expected with this medication.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use brimonidine ophthalmic and talk to your doctor if you experience
• burning, stinging, or itching of the eye;
• blurred vision;
• redness or watering of the eye;
• sensitivity of the eye to light;
• swollen or puffy eyes;
• discharge from the eye;
• headache, fatigue, or dizziness;
• a dry nose;
• a dry 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?

• Do not use brimonidine ophthalmic if you have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.
• Do not use other eye drops or medications during treatment with brimonidine ophthalmic unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
• 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 it is used with other drugs that also have these effects.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with brimonidine ophthalmic. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

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

Limitations of This Canadian Pharmacy Information

Efforts have been made to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. This is an educational resource only intended to supplement but not to replace 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. 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, please check with your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist. This site does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided here.

Full public license and copyright information is available separately from Cerner Multum, Inc.

Version: 2.05. Revision Date: 2/14/03.