Alphagan Eye Drop
Brimonidine (Alphagan P) eye drops lower pressure within your eyes to treat glaucoma. It is also used to reduce itching in the eyes and around the eye area. It is recommended that you remove contact lenses before using this medication. This will prevent the medicine from washing them out of your eyes.
What is Alphagan Eye Drops?
Alphagan Eye Drop is used in the treatment of glaucoma (high pressure inside the eye) and ocular hypertension (pressure in the eyes). It works by decreasing the production of fluid in the eye and by increasing the drainage of fluid out of the eye. This reduces raised pressure in the eye and lowers the risk of damage to the optic nerve which can cause blindness. This medicine is in a class of medications called alpha-2 adrenergic agonists.
The prescription strength of this medication is brimonidine, and it can be purchased at your doctor’s office or pharmacy. The over-the-counter version is a generic form of the prescription medication and works in the same way. Both types of drops should be stored out of the reach of children. It is best to keep them in a cool, dry place away from light and heat. Before using brimonidine (Alphagan P), or any other eye drops/medicine, wash your hands. This helps prevent infection and will help your vision. Also, remember to remove your contact lenses before using brimonidine and to wait at least 15 minutes after each dose before putting them back in.
The preservative in this medication, benzalkonium chloride, can be deposited on soft contact lenses. Talk to your doctor if you wear contact lenses. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medicines or if you have any other medical conditions, including any that affect the blood vessels (such as Raynaud’s phenomenon). This medicine is not recommended for use in paediatric patients (children under 2 years old). It may be dangerous to give it to them.
How do I use Alphagan Eye Drops?
Before using the eye drops, wash your hands. Then remove the cap from the bottle and shake it gently to mix the liquid well. Place one drop in your affected eye(s) three times a day about eight hours apart. Your doctor may change your dose based on how you respond to the medication or other factors, such as body weight. Follow all directions on your prescription label and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.
Use Alphagan exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor. If you are wearing contact lenses, take them out before applying the eye drops. Wait 15 minutes after putting the eye drops before replacing your contacts. This helps ensure that the medicine does not wash out or interact with the eye lenses. Alphagan Eye Drops is a clear liquid that comes in a bottle. Alphagan Eye Drops should be stored in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Keep it away from light.
The Alphagan Eye Drops will begin to lose their effectiveness if they are exposed to light for long periods of time. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any other medical conditions, especially diseases that affect the blood vessels (such as Raynaud’s disease). This medicine is not safe to use during pregnancy. It is unknown whether it passes through breast milk.
What are the possible side effects of Alphagan Eye Drops?
Alphagan Eye Drops reduces pressure inside the eye to help prevent glaucomarelated blindness and improves vision in people with glaucoma. The drops are used to lower eye pressure in people with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension (high pressure inside the eye). They may be used alone or together with other medications to treat your condition. The medication belongs to a class of drugs known as antiglaucoma, alpha-agonists. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, any allergies, and whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Also let them know if you wear contact lenses. The preservative in the medicine, benzalkonium chloride, can be absorbed through soft contact lenses and cause a serious eye infection (keratitis). If you are wearing contact lenses, remove them before applying a dose of the medication and wait 15 minutes before putting them back in. Some side effects of brimonidine ophthalmic may be mild and go away as your body gets used to the medication. Others may be serious and require medical attention. If you experience any of the following symptoms, get emergency medical help right away: This medication can cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery after taking this drug unless you are alert. Tell your doctor if you have any drowsiness or dizziness after using this medication.
How long should I use Alphagan Eye Drops?
You may need to use Alphagan Eye Drops for a long time. The exact length of treatment will be decided by your doctor. This medicine is used to treat glaucoma and ocular hypertension (high pressure within the eye). It works by reducing the production of fluid in your eyes or slowing down the draining of fluid from your eyes. This helps reduce the raised pressure within your eye(s) and can help prevent blindness. Untreated glaucoma can damage the back of your eye and lead to vision loss. It is important that you do not miss any doses and that you use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you.
Alphagan Eye Drops is important that you do not touch the tip of the bottle or its applicator to any surface, including your eyes or the surrounding skin, as this could contaminate the eye drops. The bottle should be kept tightly closed when not in use. Alphagan Eye Drops should be stored in a cool dry place where the temperature is below 25oC. Do not keep the bottle or its contents in the bathroom, near a sink or on window sills where it can get hot or damp. Adults and children 2 years of age and older–One drop in each affected eye(s) three times a day, about 8 hours apart.