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Brimonidine eye drops

  • Do not instil more than one drop- using several drops does not improve glaucoma, and increases the risk of side effects.
  • Once opened, eye drops should be thrown away after 28 days.

About brimonidine eye drops

Type of medicine Alpha-agonist
Used for Glaucoma
Raised pressure in the eye
Also called Alphagan
Available as Eye drops

Brimonidine eye drops works by stimulating alpha receptors found on blood vessels in the eye. This results in less fluid entering the eye, therefore keeping pressure in the eye low.

Before using brimonidine eye drops

Before using brimonidine eye drops make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
  • If you are taking antidepressant medication/suffer from depression.
  • If you suffer from heart disease.
  • If you suffer from postural hypotension.
  • If you suffer from Raynaud's phenomenon.
  • If you have liver or kidney probems.

How to use brimonidine eye drops

  • Usually, one drop twice a day, 12 hours apart.
  • Use exactly as your doctor has told you.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • After instilling a drop in your eye, press on the area between your nose and just below the inner the corner of your eye for one minute- this reduces the chance of the medication being absorbed into your body.
  • If you are using several different eye drops, leave 5 - 15 minutes between applications.
  • Do not instil more than one drop- using several drops does not improve glaucoma, and increases the risk of side effects.
  • Once opened, eye drops should be thrown away after 28 days
  • If you wear soft contact lenses, leave a gap of at least 15 minutes after instilling your eye drops before wearing them.
  • Avoid driving or operating machinery if your vision is blurred.

Can brimonidine eye drops cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine What can I do if I experience this
Dryness in the mouth Try chewing sugar-free gum, or sucking boiled sweets.
Headache Ask your pharmacist for some pain relief.
Drowsiness If affected, do not drive or operate machinery.
Dry eye, blurred vision, eye pain These symptoms should not last; avoid driving if vision is blurred.

How to store brimonidine eye drops

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines


  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
© EMIS 2007 DocID:
3772		 DocRef:
dils3773		 Last Updated:
21 Dec 2006		 Date of Next Review:
20 Dec 2008		 Version:
22
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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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