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Medications and Drugs

GENERIC NAME: brimonidine

BRAND NAME: Alphagan

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Brimonidine is used for the treatment of one type of glaucoma, open-angle glaucoma. In this type of glaucoma, too much fluid (aqueous humor) is made within the eye and causes high pressures within the eye. The pressure damages the nerves in the eye responsible for vision, and this ultimately causes blindness. Brimonidine reduces the body's production of aqueous humor and increases the flow of aqueous humor out of the eye, resulting in a decrease in pressure. (It accomplishes this by stimulating alpha type 2 receptors in the eye.) It is the first drug of its class to be used for glaucoma. Brimonidine was approved by the FDA in 1996.

GENERIC AVAILABLE: no

PRESCRIPTION: yes

PREPARATIONS: Ophthalmic solution.

STORAGE: Brimonidine should be kept at room temperature, 15-30°C (59-86°F) and protected for direct light.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Brimonidine is used for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma.

DOSING: One drop into each affected eye three times daily

DRUG INTERACTIONS: No important drug interactions have been described with brimonidine.

PREGNANCY: It is not known if brimonidine passes from the mother into the fetus.

NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known if brimonidine is secreted in breast milk.

SIDE EFFECTS: Side effects that have been reported in more than 1 in 10 persons treated with brimonidine include dry eyes, red eyes, irritation of the eyes, headache, blurred vision, a sensation of a foreign body in the eye, and drowsiness. Less common side effects include corneal staining, increased sensitivity to light, eyelid redness, eye pain, tearing, and eyelid swelling.

Reference: FDA Prescribing Information


Last Editorial Review: 6/6/1999 5:54:00 PM




Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


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  • Glaucoma - Get information about glaucoma and its symptoms, signs, and causes. Learn about treatment, prevention, and research on the leading cause of blindness.
  • Drugs: What You Should Know About Your Drugs - Find out what you should know about your drugs such as side effects, warnings and precautions, storage information, and if a generic version is as good as the brand name.

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Related Drugs - WebMD Health Network

brimonidine, Alphagan

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a disease of the major nerve of vision, called the optic nerve. The optic nerve receives light from the retina and transmits impulses to the brain that we perceive as vision. Glaucoma is characterized by a particular pattern of progressive damage to the optic nerve that generally begins with a subtle loss of side vision (peripheral vision). If glaucoma is not diagnosed and treated, it can progress to loss of central vision and blindness.

Glaucoma is usually, but not always, associated with elevated pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure). Generally, it is this elevated eye pressure that leads to damage of the eye (optic) nerve. In some cases, glaucoma may occur in the presence of normal eye pressure. This form of glaucoma is believed to be caused by poor regulation of blood flow to the optic nerve.

How common is glaucoma?

Worldwide, glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness....

Read the Glaucoma article »










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