What is this medicine?
BRIMONIDINE (bri MOE ni deen) is used to to treat open-angle glaucoma and high pressure in the eye.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?
This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 09/2009. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit www.drugstore.com. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.
| Alphagan P 0.1% Solution | ALLERGAN | 15/$189.5 or 45/$508.4 |
| Alphagan P 0.15% Solution | ALLERGAN | 5/$73.63 or 15/$199.68 |
| Alphagan P 0.15% Solution | ALLERGAN | 15/$195.93 or 45/$556.65 |
| Alphagan P 0.15% Solution | ALLERGAN | 10/$134.78 or 30/$374.37 |
| Brimonidine Tartrate 0.2% Solution | BAUSCH & LOMB | 15/$93.02 or 45/$249.7 |
| Brimonidine Tartrate 0.2% Solution | FALCON PHARMACEUTICALS | 10/$51.99 or 30/$145.97 |
| Brimonidine Tartrate 0.2% Solution | FALCON PHARMACEUTICALS | 5/$31.99 or 15/$89.97 |
| Combigan 0.2-0.5% Solution | ALLERGAN | 5/$71.4 or 15/$205.78 |
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What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
- allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
- bleeding in your eye
- inflamed or infected eyes or eyelids
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- bitter taste in the mouth
- blurred vision
- burning, stinging, or discomfort immediately after using the solution
- dry mouth
- dry or itchy eyes
- headache
- sensitivity of the eyes to light
- tiredness
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is only for use in the eye. Do not take by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Wash hands before and after use. Tilt the head back slightly and pull down the lower lid with the index finger to form a pouch. Try not to touch the tip of the dropper to your eye or any other surface. Squeeze one drop into the pouch. Close the eye gently. Do not blink or rub your eyes. Apply pressure to the inside corner of your eye for a few minutes after placing the medicine to help it stay in your eye longer. Use your doses at regular intervals. Do not use your medicine more often than directed.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
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What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.
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What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
- MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
- medicines for high blood pressure or other heart problems
- medicines that cause drowsiness or tiredness
- tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline, clomipramine, and desipramine
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
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Who should NOT use this medication?
- Concomitant use with an MAO inhibitor.
- Known hypersensitivity to brimonidine or any ingredient in the formulation.
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What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Report any serious side effects right away. Stop using this medicine if your eyes get swollen, painful, or have a discharge, and see your doctor or health care professional as soon as you can.
If you wear contact lenses, take them out before using this medicine. Wait 15 minutes before putting them back into your eyes.
If you are using another eye medicine, wait at least 10 minutes in between using each medicine.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.
Wear dark glasses if this medicine makes your eyes more sensitive to light.
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What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- Buerger's disease
- closed-angle glaucoma
- depression
- eye infection or damage
- heart disease
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- Raynaud's phenomenon
- wear contact lenses
- an unusual or allergic reaction to brimonidine, benzalkonium chloride, Purite preservative, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.
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Where can I get more information?
More Information
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