Brimonidine (Ophthalmic)

• It is used to lower high eye pressure.
• It is used to treat glaucoma.
• Some products are used to treat eye redness.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Brimonidine?

• If you have an allergy to brimonidine or any other part of brimonidine (ophthalmic).
• If you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• If you are taking certain drugs used for depression like isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine, or drugs used for Parkinson's disease like selegiline or rasagiline.
• If you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with brimonidine (ophthalmic).

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take brimonidine (ophthalmic) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Brimonidine?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take brimonidine (ophthalmic). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Use care when driving or doing other tasks that call for clear eyesight.
• Have your blood pressure and heart rate checked often if you have heart disease.
• Have your eye pressure and eyesight checked as you have been told by the doctor.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol or use other drugs and natural products that slow your actions.
• Tell your doctor if you have an eye infection, eye injury, or will be having eye surgery.
• This medicine may cause harm if swallowed. If brimonidine (ophthalmic) is swallowed, call a doctor or poison control center right away.
• Different brands of brimonidine (ophthalmic) may be for use in different ages of children. Talk with the doctor before giving brimonidine (ophthalmic) to a child.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using brimonidine (ophthalmic) while you are pregnant.

How is this medicine (Brimonidine) best taken?

Use brimonidine (ophthalmic) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• For the eye only.
• Some of these products are not for use if you are wearing contact lenses. Be sure you know if you need to avoid wearing contact lenses while using this product.
• Do not touch the container tip to the eye, lid, or other skin.
• Tilt your head back and drop drug into the eye.
• After use, keep your eyes closed. Put pressure on the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 1 to 2 minutes. This keeps the drug in your eye.
• If more than 1 drug is being used in the same eye, use each drug at least 5 minutes apart.
• Put the cap back on after you are done using your dose.
• Do not use if the solution is cloudy, leaking, or has particles.
• Do not use if solution changes color.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Use a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not use 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Change in eyesight, eye pain, or very bad eye irritation.
• Eyelid swelling.

What are some other side effects of Brimonidine?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Burning.
• Stinging.
• Blurred eyesight.
• Feeling that something is in the eye.
• Dry mouth.
• Headache.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Feeling sleepy.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Brimonidine?

• Store at room temperature.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer information use

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.
• Talk with the doctor before starting any new drug, including prescription or OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about brimonidine (ophthalmic), please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

More about brimonidine ophthalmic

• Side Effects
• During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding
• Dosage Information
• Drug Interactions
• Pricing & Coupons
• En Español
• 49 Reviews
• Drug class: ophthalmic glaucoma agents

Consumer resources

• Brimonidine ophthalmic

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