alphagan allergy
Brimonidine (bri MOE ni dine)
What is the most important information I should know about Alphagan?
• Do not touch the dropper to any surface, including your eyes or hands alphagan allergy. The dropper is sterile alphagan allergy. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infectionin your eye alphagan allergy.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities alphagan allergy. Alphagan may cause dizziness or drowsiness alphagan allergy. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities alphagan allergy.
What is Alphagan?
• Alphagan reduces the amount of fluid in the eye in two ways: It reducesthe production of fluid inside the eye, and it increases the amount of fluidthat drains from the eye alphagan allergy.
• Alphagan is used to treat open-angle glaucoma or ocular (eye) hypertension(high pressure) alphagan allergy.
• Alphagan may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide alphagan allergy.
Who should not use Alphagan?
• Do not use Alphagan if you have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitorsuch as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate)in the last 14 days alphagan allergy.
• Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you
· have kidney disease;
· have liver disease;
· have any type of heart condition, including high blood pressure;
· take medicine to treat a heart condition;
· have Raynaud's disease (poor circulation in your hands and feet);
· have poor blood flow in any of the arteries in your heart or your neck;
· experience a lot of dizziness; or
· suffer from depression alphagan allergy.
• You may not be able to use Alphagan, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove alphagan allergy.
• Alphagan is in the FDA pregnancy category B alphagan allergy. This means that it is notexpected to harm an unborn baby alphagan allergy. Do not use Alphagan without first talking toyour doctor if you are pregnant alphagan allergy.
• It is not known whether brimonidine passes into breast milk alphagan allergy. Do not useAlphagan without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby alphagan allergy.
How should I use Alphagan?
• Use Alphagan eye drops exactly as directed by your doctor alphagan allergy. If you donot understand these instructions, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse toexplain them to you alphagan allergy.
• Wash your hands before using the eye drops alphagan allergy.
• To apply the eye drops:
· Tilt your head back slightly and pull down on your lower eyelid alphagan allergy. Positionthe dropper above your eye alphagan allergy. Look up and away from the dropper alphagan allergy. Squeeze out adrop and close your eye alphagan allergy. Apply gentle pressure to the inside corner of youreye (near your nose) for about 1 minute to prevent the liquid from drainingdown your tear duct alphagan allergy. If you are using more than one drop in the same eye, repeatthe process with about 5 minutes between drops alphagan allergy. Repeat this process in the othereye if directed alphagan allergy.
• Alphagan is usually used three times a day alphagan allergy. Follow your doctor's directions alphagan allergy.
• Do not touch the dropper to any surface, including your eyes or hands alphagan allergy. The dropper is sterile alphagan allergy. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infectionin your eye alphagan allergy.
• Do not use any eye drop that is discolored or has particles in it alphagan allergy.
• Do not wear soft contact lenses when applying this medication alphagan allergy. Alphagancontains a preservative (benzalkonium chloride) and may discolor contact lenses alphagan allergy.
• Store the drops at room temperature away from heat and moisture alphagan allergy. Keepthe bottle properly capped alphagan allergy.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember alphagan allergy. However, if it is almosttime for your next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and applythe next one as directed alphagan allergy. Do not use a double dose of this medication alphagan allergy.
What happens if I overdose?
• An overdose of this medication is unlikely to occur alphagan allergy. If you do suspectan overdose, flush the eye with water and call an emergency room or poison controlcenter near you alphagan allergy. If the drops have been ingested (taken by mouth) call an emergencycenter for advice alphagan allergy.
What should I avoid while using Alphagan?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities alphagan allergy. Alphagan may cause dizziness or drowsiness alphagan allergy. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities alphagan allergy.
• Do not touch the dropper to any surface, including your eyes or hands alphagan allergy. The dropper is sterile alphagan allergy. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infectionin your eye alphagan allergy.
• Do not wear soft contact lenses when applying this medication alphagan allergy. Alphagancontains a preservative (benzalkonium chloride) and may discolor contact lenses alphagan allergy.
• Do not use other eye drops or medications during treatment with Alphaganunless otherwise directed by your doctor alphagan allergy.
What are the possible side effects of Alphagan?
• Serious side effects are not expected with this medication alphagan allergy.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur alphagan allergy. Continueto use Alphagan and talk to your doctor if you experience
· burning, stinging, or itching of the eye;
· blurred vision;
· redness or watering of the eye;
· sensitivity of the eye to light;
· swollen or puffy eyes;
· discharge from the eye;
· headache, fatigue, or dizziness;
· a dry nose;
· a dry mouth; or
· a change in taste alphagan allergy.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur alphagan allergy. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome alphagan allergy.
What other drugs will affect Alphagan?
• Do not use Alphagan if you have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitorsuch as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate)in the last 14 days alphagan allergy.
• Do not use other eye drops or medications during treatment with Alphaganunless otherwise directed by your doctor alphagan allergy.
• Although drug interactions between Alphagan and drugs taken by mouthare not expected, they can occur alphagan allergy. Drugs that make you drowsy or dizzy, suchas sedatives, sleeping pills, antihistamines (allergy medicines), alcohol, andpain relievers, may cause excessive drowsiness if they are taken while usingAlphagan alphagan allergy. Also, Alphagan may further slow your heart rate or lower your bloodpressure if it is used with other drugs that also have these effects alphagan allergy.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Alphagan alphagan allergy. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines alphagan allergy.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Alphagan written forhealth professionals that you may read alphagan allergy.
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