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