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