Alphagan: Advanced Ocular Hypotensive Therapy for Glaucoma Management
| Product dosage: 5ml | |||
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| 2 | $32.63 | $65.26 (0%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
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| 10 | $28.31
Best per bottle | $326.30 $283.13 (13%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
Synonyms | |||
Alphagan (brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution) is a prescription medication specifically formulated to reduce elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. As a selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, it represents a cornerstone in modern glaucoma management, offering a distinct mechanism of action that complements other therapeutic classes. This comprehensive product card details the pharmacological profile, clinical applications, and practical considerations for healthcare professionals prescribing this important ocular hypotensive agent.
Features
- Contains brimonidine tartrate as active pharmaceutical ingredient (0.1%, 0.15%, or 0.2% concentrations)
- Selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist with minimal alpha-1 activity
- Available as preserved and preservative-free formulations
- Multiple concentration options for tailored therapeutic approaches
- Demonstrated 24-hour IOP control with twice-daily dosing
- Compatible with most other topical ocular medications
Benefits
- Effectively reduces intraocular pressure by approximately 20-27% from baseline
- Dual mechanism of action: reduces aqueous humor production and increases uveoscleral outflow
- Favorable safety profile with minimal cardiovascular effects compared to non-selective agents
- Provides neuroprotective benefits beyond IOP reduction
- Preservative-free option available for patients with benzalkonium chloride sensitivity
- Established long-term efficacy with maintained responsiveness
Common use
Alphagan is primarily indicated for the lowering of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. It is frequently employed as monotherapy in patients who cannot tolerate beta-blockers or as adjunctive therapy when additional IOP reduction is required. The medication has also found utility in the management of various secondary glaucomas and is sometimes used prophylactically to prevent IOP spikes following laser procedures. Clinical studies have demonstrated its effectiveness across diverse patient populations, including those with pigmentary dispersion syndrome and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma.
Dosage and direction
The recommended dosage is one drop in the affected eye(s) three times daily, approximately 8 hours apart. For the 0.15% formulation, dosing may be reduced to twice daily in many patients while maintaining efficacy. Patients should be instructed to wash hands before use, avoid touching the dropper tip to any surface, and wait at least 5 minutes between instilling different eye medications if multiple therapies are prescribed. Contact lenses should be removed before administration and may be reinserted 15 minutes post-instillation.
Precautions
Patients should be monitored for potential allergic reactions, which may include ocular itching, redness, or swelling. Caution is advised in patients with cardiovascular disease, cerebral or coronary insufficiency, Raynaud’s phenomenon, orthostatic hypotension, or thromboangiitis obliterans. The medication should be used with care in patients with depression, as alpha-2 agonists may potentially exacerbate symptoms. Regular assessment of IOP and visual fields remains necessary despite pharmacological treatment.
Contraindications
Alphagan is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to brimonidine tartrate or any component of the formulation. It should not be used in patients receiving monoamine oxidase inhibitor therapy. The medication is generally not recommended for use in infants and children under 2 years of age due to reports of serious adverse effects including profound hypotension, hypothermia, bradycardia, apnea, and somnolence in this population.
Possible side effect
Common ocular adverse reactions (occurring in approximately 10-30% of patients) include allergic conjunctivitis, conjunctival hyperemia, ocular itching, and burning sensation. Less frequent ocular effects may include blurred vision, foreign body sensation, conjunctival folliculosis, and ocular dryness. Systemic side effects, though less common, can include oral dryness, headache, fatigue, drowsiness, and nasal dryness. Serious but rare adverse effects include syncope, hypotension, and bradycardia.
Drug interaction
Concomitant use with central nervous system depressants (alcohol, barbiturates, opiates, sedatives, or anesthetics) may potentiate sedation effects. Caution is advised when administering with antihypertensive medications or cardiac glycosides due to potential additive effects. Tricyclic antidepressants may reduce the hypotensive effect of alpha-2 agonists. No significant interactions have been observed with most topical ophthalmic medications including timolol, pilocarpine, or carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.
Missed dose
If a dose is missed, it should be administered as soon as possible. However, if it is nearly time for the next scheduled dose, the missed dose should be skipped and the regular dosing schedule resumed. Patients should not instill double doses to make up for a missed administration. Consistent adherence to the prescribed regimen is important for maintaining optimal intraocular pressure control.
Overdose
Symptoms of overdose may include hypotension, bradycardia, hypothermia, dizziness, sedation, respiratory depression, and apnea. In case of accidental ingestion, supportive and symptomatic treatment should be instituted. Cardiovascular monitoring is recommended. Hemodialysis is unlikely to be beneficial due to the drug’s extensive tissue distribution. Topical ocular overdose is unlikely to cause systemic toxicity but may increase the frequency and severity of local adverse effects.
Storage
Store at controlled room temperature between 15°-25°C (59°-77°F). Protect from light and excessive heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use. Discard any unused solution 28 days after opening the bottle. Do not freeze the medication. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not use if the solution changes color or becomes cloudy.
Disclaimer
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Treatment decisions should be made by qualified healthcare professionals based on individual patient circumstances. The prescribing physician should be familiar with the complete prescribing information before initiating therapy. Patients should consult their healthcare provider for personalized medical advice and report any adverse reactions promptly.
Reviews
Clinical studies consistently demonstrate Alphagan’s efficacy in intraocular pressure reduction. The Collaborative Initial Glaucoma Treatment Study noted its effectiveness as both primary and adjunctive therapy. The European Glaucoma Society guidelines recognize alpha-2 agonists as valuable options in the glaucoma treatment algorithm. Long-term extension studies have shown maintained efficacy with continuous use over several years, though some patients may develop tachyphylaxis. Patient satisfaction surveys indicate generally good tolerability, with the preservative-free formulation showing improved comfort profiles in sensitive patients.