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Angle on Glaucoma: Medications
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spacer Alphagan P
Generic name: brimonidine tartrate
Concentration: 0.15%
Mechanism of action: This selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist reduces the aqueous humor production and increases aqueous humor outflow.
Indications: Treatment of open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
Dosage: Instill one drop of brimonidine ophthalmic solution into the affected eye(s) two to three times daily (approximately 8 hours apart).
Use with caution in patients with/during:
  1. Severe cardiac disease, cerebrovascular disease, or coronary artery disease.
  2. Depression; contraindicated in patients receiving monoamine oxedase (MaO) inhibitor therapy.
  3. Raynaud's disease, thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease), depression, and orthostatic hypotension.
  4. Contact lens wearers due to the preservative BAK. Drops should be instilled 15 minutes before putting in contacts.
  5. Renal impairment or damage or hepatic disease.
  6. Pregnancy, breast feeding, or in children.
Side effects:
Common
  • Ocular allergic reactions
  • Oral dryness
  • Stinging
  • Ocular pruritus (itchy eyes)
  • Ocular hyperemia (red eyes)
  • Headache
  • Foreign body sensation
  • Fatigue
  • Drowsiness
  • Conjunctival follicles (mass of cells on the conjunctiva)
  • Blurring of the eyes
  • Burning of the eyes
 Less Common to Rare
  • Abnormal taste
  • Conjunctival hemorrhage (bleeding of the conjunctiva)
  • Corneal erosion
  • Eyelid erythema (redness of eyelid due to blood vessel dilation)
  • Insomnia
  • Lid crusting
  • Tearing
  • Ocular pain
  • Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
  • Ocular dryness

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URL: http://www.opt.indiana.edu/clinics/pteduc/glaucoma/meds/alphaganp.htm
Revised: August 2, 2002
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