Alphagan (generic name: Brimonidine) is an eye medication.

Alphagan is indicated for lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension (high blood pressure).

Lowering IOP is the only treatable risk factor to prevent glaucomatous vision loss.

Alphagan is an alpha-3 adrenergic agonist. It works by lowering the fluid pressure inside the eyeball and increasing fluid drainage from the eyeball. Alphagan reduces the amount of fluid in the eye, which decreases pressure inside the eye.

Recommendations

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. Take Alphagan exactly as directed.

The usual dosage of eye drops is one drop in the eye(s) every twelve hours. If you are using more than one eye drop product, wait 5 to 10 minutes before using the second product so that the first eye drop is not washed out by, or interacts with the second.

To use Alphagan in the eye, first, wash your hands. Tilt your head back. Using your index finger, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Drop the medicine into the pouch and gently close your eyes. Immediately use your finger to apply pressure to the inside corner of the eye for 1 to 2 minutes. Do not blink. Remove excess medicine around your eye with a clean, dry tissue, being careful not to touch your eye. Wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.

Use Alphagan eye drops every day, at about the same time each day, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Using your eye drops at the same time each day will have the best effect on your eye pressure. It will also help you remember when to use the eye drops.

Continue using Alphagan eye drops for as long as your doctor prescribes.

Be careful not to touch the dropper tip against your eye, eyelid or anything else to avoid contaminating the eye drops. Keep the container tightly closed.

If you forget to use Alphagan, use the drops as soon as you remember, and then go back to using/taking them as you would normally. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed. Do not use double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.

Keep your eye drops at room temperature. Do not freeze the eye drops. Do not leave the top/lid off the bottle for any length of time to avoid contaminating the eye drops.

Precautions

Before using Alphagan, tell your doctor if:

you are allergic to any medicines;
you are taking monoamine oxidase antidepressant medication;
you have severe heart, liver or kidney disease;
you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Ingredients

Active ingredient: brimonidine tartrate.