Formulary
Brimonidine tartrate: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
When used by eye: Brimonidine, an alpha 2 -adrenoceptor agonist, is thought to lower intra-ocular pressure by reducing aqueous humour formation and increasing...
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Brimonidine tartrate: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
When used by eye: Brimonidine, an alpha 2 -adrenoceptor agonist, is thought to lower intra-ocular pressure by reducing aqueous humour formation and increasing...
Drug action
When used by eye: Brimonidine, an alpha 2 -adrenoceptor agonist, is thought to lower intra-ocular pressure by reducing aqueous humour formation and increasing uveoscleral outflow. With topical use: Brimonidine, an alpha 2 -adrenoceptor agonist, is used to reduce erythema in rosacea by cutaneous vasoconstriction.
Indications and dose
**Raised intra-ocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma in patients**
- **Adult** (To The Eye): for whom beta-blockers are inappropriate, Ocular hypertension in patients for whom beta-blockers are inappropriate, Adjunctive therapy when intra-ocular pressure is inadequately controlled by other antiglaucoma therapy Apply twice daily.
**Facial erythema in rosacea**
- **Adult** (To The Skin): Apply once daily until erythema subsides, apply thinly, divide dose over forehead, chin, nose, and cheeks, max. 1 g of gel per day.
Cautions
Cerebral insufficiency; coronary insufficiency; depression; postural hypotension; Raynaud's syndrome; severe cardiovascular disease; thromboangiitis obliterans
Side effects
General side-effects: Common or very common Dizziness; dry mouth; headache; skin reactions Rare or very rare Hypotension Specific side-effects: Common or very common When used by eye (topical) Asthenia; drowsiness; dry eye; eye discomfort; eye disorders; eye inflammation; gastrointestinal disorder; hyperaemia; hypersensitivity; pulmonary reaction; sensation of foreign body; taste altered; vision disorders With topical use Flushing Uncommon When used by eye (topical) Arrhythmias; nasal dryness; palpitations With topical use Angioedema; eyelid oedema; feeling hot; nasal congestion; paraesthesia; peripheral coldness Rare or very rare When used by eye (topical) Dyspnoea; hypertension; insomnia; syncope With topical use Bradycardia Frequency not known When used by eye (topical) Face oedema; vasodilation
Interactions
**Other interactions (3):**
- Although specific drug interactions studies have not been conducted with Alphagan, the possibility of an additive or potentiating effect with CNS depressants (alcohol, barbiturates, opiates,...
- Caution is advised when using drugs such as antihypertensives and/or cardiac glycosides concomitantly with Alphagan.
- Caution is advised when initiating (or changing the dose of) a concomitant systemic agent (irrespective of pharmaceutical form) which may interact with -adrenergic agonists or interfere with their...
Pregnancy
With topical use: Manufacturer advises avoid-limited information available. When used by eye: Manufacturer advises use only if benefit outweighs risk-limited information available.
Breast feeding
Manufacturer advises avoid-no information available.
Hepatic impairment
Manufacturer advises caution (no information available).
Renal impairment
Manufacturer advises use with caution.
Medicinal forms
Drops,Gel
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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