Alphagan P

Last Reviewed: Nov 21, 2024

Warnings

Alphagan P Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Alphagan P (brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution) can cause or worsen medical problems in some people. Talk to your doctor about other treatment options for open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension if you are at increased risk of health complications from this medication. Some of the risks of using Alphagan P include:

VASCULAR INSUFFICIENCY: Alphagan P can cause constriction (narrowing) of the blood vessels and increase the risk of vascular insufficiency (decreased blood flow). This medication may not be safe for people with certain medical conditions. Tell your doctor if you have a history of depression, orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure when standing up from a lying or sitting position), cerebral or coronary insufficiency (blockage or narrowing of the blood vessels that supply the brain and heart), Raynaud’s phenomenon (decreased blood flow to the fingers, toes, and lips in response to cold), or thromboangiitis obliterans (a rare condition in which blood clots and inflammation develop in the blood vessels of the hands and feet).
SEVERE CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE: Although the effects of Alphagan P on blood pressure are minimal, this eye drop should be used with caution in people with severe cardiovascular disease (heart disease and circulation problems).
RISK OF CONTAMINATION: Eye drops in multiple-dose containers such as Alphagan P can become contaminated. This can put you at risk of serious eye infections such as bacterial keratitis. People who have corneal disease or disruption of the ocular epithelium are at a higher risk of eye infections. Use Alphagan P eye drops with careful hygiene precautions to lower your risk of infections due to contamination.

Precautions Before Starting Alphagan P

Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to brimonidine tartrate (the active ingredient in Alphagan P), any of the inactive ingredients in Alphagan P eye drops, or any other drugs. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.

Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible drug interactions between Alphagan P and your other medicines.

Tell your doctor if you have a history of medical conditions such as orthostatic hypotension (lightheadedness and low blood pressure when going from a lying or sitting position to standing), circulation or blood vessel problems, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, or kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, are planning a pregnancy, or are nursing an infant with breast milk.

Precautions During Use of Alphagan P

Keep all your medical and laboratory appointments while using Alphagan P (brimonidine ophthalmic) for open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Your doctor will monitor you for serious side effects.

If you are using other eye drops, including medications for elevated intraocular pressure, apply them at least 5 minutes before or after using Alphagan P.

If you wear soft contact lenses, remove them before instilling the eye drop and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back in.

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. Do not breastfeed while using Alphagan P.

Be sure to inform your healthcare providers that you are on Alphagan P (brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic) before any surgical procedures, including dental treatments.

In case of an eye infection, eye injury, or eye surgery, check with your eye doctor if you can continue using the same bottle of Alphagan P eye drops.

Alphagan P can cause blurry vision and drowsiness. Do not drive a motor vehicle, operate heavy machinery, or do other hazardous activities that require clear vision and mental alertness until you know how the medicine affects you.

Avoid drinking alcohol while on Alphagan P. Alcohol can cause worsening drowsiness and put you at risk of injuries and accidents.

Alphagan P Drug Interactions

Use of Alphagan P (brimonidine tartrate) eye drops with certain other medicines can affect how the medicines work. Possible interactions between Alphagan P and other drugs can increase the risk of serious adverse effects. Your doctor may change the dose of your medications, switch you to a different drug, and/or monitor you carefully for side effects if there are known interactions between Alphagan P and your other medicines. Some of the medications with which Alphagan P can interact include:

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors
Antihypertensives
Cardiac glycosides
Tricyclic antidepressants
CNS depressants

The above list does not contain all the drug interactions of Alphagan P. Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, non-prescription medicines, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare provider if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

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