Brimonidine eye drops: how to take it safely
Alphagan
Reviewed by Pharm. Abeeb Junior
What it is for
Lowers eye pressure in glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
How to take it
- Prescription medicine: take it exactly as your doctor or pharmacist told you.
- Wash your hands. Tilt your head back, pull down the lower eyelid and put one drop in the pocket it makes.
- Close your eye gently for 1 to 2 minutes and press the inner corner of the eye. This keeps the drop in the eye.
- Do not let the tip touch your eye or fingers.
- If you use more than one eye drop, wait 5 minutes between them.
When to take it
Use one drop twice a day, about 12 hours apart, or as prescribed.
Take it with
Not applicable.
What to avoid
- Wearing soft contact lenses unless the label says it is safe. Take lenses out first and wait 15 minutes.
- Touching the dropper tip to anything.
- Using the bottle for more than 4 weeks after opening.
- Sharing the bottle.
- Stopping without advice. Glaucoma can slowly damage vision without any symptoms.
- Giving it to babies and children under 2 years.
- Driving or using machines if you feel drowsy.
- Tell your doctor if you take antidepressants such as MAO inhibitors.
Possible side effects
Dry mouth, drowsiness, red or itchy eyes, stinging.
Get help if
Itchy swollen red eyes after weeks of use, a rash, fainting or a very slow pulse: see a doctor.
This is general information, not personal medical advice. Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions and read the leaflet that comes with your medicine. Medicines and doses can differ between products and people.