Brimonidine
Description
Brimonidine is available as eye drops and skin gel. The eye drops are used in the treatment of ocular hypertension and glaucoma (different conditions that occur due to high pressure of fluids in your eyes) and minor eye irritations. The topical gel is used to reduce the symptoms of rosacea (a skin condition that causes flushing of the face and visible blood vessels). This medicine works by reducing the production of fluid in your eyes, which lowers eye pressure, and by contracting the blood vessels of your skin.
Brimonidine eye drops can cause side effects like blurred vision, dry eyes, and burning sensation in the eyes. The topical gel may cause skin dryness and itching/burning sensation on the skin. Most of these symptoms occur for a short duration and get resolved with time. Consult your doctor if these side effects remain for a long time or become worse. Avoid driving immediately after instilling the eye drop as your vision might be a little blurry after using this medicine.
Brimonidine is for external use only. Instill Brimonidine eye drop as instructed by your doctor. For administering the eye drop, tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to squeeze the eye drop from the dropper. For Brimonidine gel, apply a thin layer on the affected area and leave it to dry. Complete the whole treatment to see maximum benefits.
Brimonidine is not recommended for use if you are allergic to this medicine. Inform your doctor if you are taking any other medicines as they might interact with this medicine and increase the risk of undesired effects. Use this medicine with caution if you have pre-existing liver or kidney problems. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Brimonidine
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Eye irritation
- Dry eyes
- Burning or itching of eyes
- Acne
- Dry skin
- Itching or burning sensation of the skin
Uses of Brimonidine
What is it prescribed for?
- Intraocular hypertension
- Open angle Glaucoma
- Rosacea
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of Brimonidine eye drops can be observed within 2 hours. The effect of Brimonidine gel can be observed within 30 minutes of application.
- Duration of effectThe effect of Brimonidine lasts for an average duration of 12 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Brimonidine.
- Usage in pregnancy?Brimonidine is not recommended for use during pregnancy as the risk to your foetus is not known. Hence, consult your doctor before starting the treatment with this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Brimonidine is not recommended for use while breastfeeding as it is not known if this medicine is passed into breastmilk. Hence, consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Allergy
Brimonidine is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, swelling and/or itching (especially in the face, lips, throat), breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Brimonidine is not recommended for use during pregnancy as the risk to your foetus is not known. Hence, consult your doctor before starting the treatment with this medicine.
Breast-feeding
Brimonidine is not recommended for use while breastfeeding as it is not known if this medicine is passed into breastmilk. Hence, consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings
Contact lens
Brimonidine eye drops are not recommended for use if you are wearing contact lenses. The lenses should be removed prior to administration and can be reinserted 15 minutes after the installation of this medicine.
Driving or operating machines
Brimonidine eye drops may cause blurred vision and rarely dizziness or drowsiness. Hence, avoid performing activities such as driving vehicles or operating machines if you experience any of these symptoms.
Risk of contamination (eye drops)
If the tip of Brimonidine eye drop is contaminated by bacteria, it can lead to bacterial keratitis (an infection of the cornea). Hence, take all hygienic precautions while taking this medicine to prevent contamination. Avoid touching the tip of the dropper with your eyes.
Use of topical form (gel)
Brimonidine gel is not recommended for use in the eyes.
Use in children
Brimonidine gel is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Brimonidine eye drop is not recommended for use in children below 12 years of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Missed Dose
Apply/administer the missed dose of Brimonidine as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Do not instill/apply a double dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Never take more than the prescribed dose. Seek emergency medical attention in case of an overdose with Brimonidine.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Antihypertensives
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Central nervous system depressants
Disease interactions
Depression
Brimonidine may cause depression in some cases. Hence, it should be used with caution if you have depression due to the risk of worsening your condition.
Liver/kidney impairment
Topically administered Brimonidine may be absorbed into the bloodstream and rarely increase the risk of side effects. Hence, it should be used with caution if you have impaired liver and kidney function.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Eye drops: Instill Brimonidine as directed by your doctor. Wash your hands properly before administering Brimonidine eye drops. Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the dropper close to the eye with the tip facing downwards. Squeeze the dropper so that a drop of medicine falls in the pocket. Close eyes for 2 to 3 minutes. Repeat the same for your next dose.
Topical use: Wash and dry the affected area before using the gel. Apply a thin layer of brimonidine gel (pea-sized amount) to the affected area of the skin once daily. Do not cover the application area with bandages or other coverings unless specifically instructed by the doctor. Brimonidine cream is for external use only.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Brimonidine eye drops reduce the high pressure inside the eyes by decreasing the production of fluid (aqueous humour) in your eyes.
Brimonidine gel tightens the facial blood vessels and reduces the symptoms of rosacea.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Alpha adrenergic agonists
Schedule
Schedule H
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Information on this page was last updated on 30 Sep 2021
Disclaimer
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