alphagan and pilocarpine
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 and pilocarpine. The dropper is sterile alphagan and pilocarpine. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infectionin your eye alphagan and pilocarpine.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities alphagan and pilocarpine. Alphagan may cause dizziness or drowsiness alphagan and pilocarpine. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities alphagan and pilocarpine.
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 and pilocarpine.
• Alphagan is used to treat open-angle glaucoma or ocular (eye) hypertension(high pressure) alphagan and pilocarpine.
• Alphagan may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide alphagan and pilocarpine.
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 and pilocarpine.
• 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 and pilocarpine.
• 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 and pilocarpine.
• Alphagan is in the FDA pregnancy category B alphagan and pilocarpine. This means that it is notexpected to harm an unborn baby alphagan and pilocarpine. Do not use Alphagan without first talking toyour doctor if you are pregnant alphagan and pilocarpine.
• It is not known whether brimonidine passes into breast milk alphagan and pilocarpine. Do not useAlphagan without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby alphagan and pilocarpine.
How should I use Alphagan?
• Use Alphagan eye drops exactly as directed by your doctor alphagan and pilocarpine. If you donot understand these instructions, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse toexplain them to you alphagan and pilocarpine.
• Wash your hands before using the eye drops alphagan and pilocarpine.
• To apply the eye drops:
· Tilt your head back slightly and pull down on your lower eyelid alphagan and pilocarpine. Positionthe dropper above your eye alphagan and pilocarpine. Look up and away from the dropper alphagan and pilocarpine. Squeeze out adrop and close your eye alphagan and pilocarpine. 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 and pilocarpine. If you are using more than one drop in the same eye, repeatthe process with about 5 minutes between drops alphagan and pilocarpine. Repeat this process in the othereye if directed alphagan and pilocarpine.
• Alphagan is usually used three times a day alphagan and pilocarpine. Follow your doctor's directions alphagan and pilocarpine.
• Do not touch the dropper to any surface, including your eyes or hands alphagan and pilocarpine. The dropper is sterile alphagan and pilocarpine. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infectionin your eye alphagan and pilocarpine.
• Do not use any eye drop that is discolored or has particles in it alphagan and pilocarpine.
• Do not wear soft contact lenses when applying this medication alphagan and pilocarpine. Alphagancontains a preservative (benzalkonium chloride) and may discolor contact lenses alphagan and pilocarpine.
• Store the drops at room temperature away from heat and moisture alphagan and pilocarpine. Keepthe bottle properly capped alphagan and pilocarpine.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember alphagan and pilocarpine. However, if it is almosttime for your next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and applythe next one as directed alphagan and pilocarpine. Do not use a double dose of this medication alphagan and pilocarpine.
What happens if I overdose?
• An overdose of this medication is unlikely to occur alphagan and pilocarpine. If you do suspectan overdose, flush the eye with water and call an emergency room or poison controlcenter near you alphagan and pilocarpine. If the drops have been ingested (taken by mouth) call an emergencycenter for advice alphagan and pilocarpine.
What should I avoid while using Alphagan?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities alphagan and pilocarpine. Alphagan may cause dizziness or drowsiness alphagan and pilocarpine. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities alphagan and pilocarpine.
• Do not touch the dropper to any surface, including your eyes or hands alphagan and pilocarpine. The dropper is sterile alphagan and pilocarpine. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infectionin your eye alphagan and pilocarpine.
• Do not wear soft contact lenses when applying this medication alphagan and pilocarpine. Alphagancontains a preservative (benzalkonium chloride) and may discolor contact lenses alphagan and pilocarpine.
• Do not use other eye drops or medications during treatment with Alphaganunless otherwise directed by your doctor alphagan and pilocarpine.
What are the possible side effects of Alphagan?
• Serious side effects are not expected with this medication alphagan and pilocarpine.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur alphagan and pilocarpine. 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 and pilocarpine.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur alphagan and pilocarpine. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome alphagan and pilocarpine.
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 and pilocarpine.
• Do not use other eye drops or medications during treatment with Alphaganunless otherwise directed by your doctor alphagan and pilocarpine.
• Although drug interactions between Alphagan and drugs taken by mouthare not expected, they can occur alphagan and pilocarpine. 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 and pilocarpine. 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 and pilocarpine.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Alphagan alphagan and pilocarpine. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines alphagan and pilocarpine.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Alphagan written forhealth professionals that you may read alphagan and pilocarpine.
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