Other Brands/Names

Simbrinza.

How It Works

Brimonidine is a medication classified as an alpha-adrenergic agonist. It works by reducing the amount of fluid in the eye.

Indications

Brimonidine is primarily used to lower eye pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension (elevated eye pressure that is not yet high enough to cause vision loss).

Contraindications

• Have a history of allergies to brimonidine or brinzolamide

• Are infants or children under 2 years of age

• Are currently taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which are used to treat depression

• Have severe kidney problems

• Have hyperclear acidosis (excessively high levels of acid in the blood)

Side Effects

Temporary side effects that may occur after using brimonidine eye drops include:

• Itchy, irritated, red, stinging, or burning eyes

• Dry or watery eyes

• Red or swollen eyelids

• Sensitivity to light

• Blurred vision

• Headache

• Drowsiness or sleep disturbances

• Dry mouth

• Runny nose and other cold symptoms

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Facial pain or pressure

• Heartburn

If these symptoms persist or worsen, contact your doctor immediately. Serious side effects that require immediate medical attention include:

• Rash

• Difficulty breathing

• Seeing spots or flashes of light

• Fainting

• Severe dizziness

• Nausea

Types

Brimonidine is available as eye drops in 5 ml bottles.

Dosage

The typical dosage for brimonidine is to instill 1 drop into the affected eye(s) 2 or 3 times daily, with a gap of 8 or 12 hours between doses.

Safety

• After using brimonidine, your vision may temporarily become blurry for a while. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or engaging in activities that require clear vision until your eyesight returns to normal.
• If you are using other eye drops, apply them 5 minutes before or after using brimonidine eye drops.
• If you wear contact lenses, remove them before using brimonidine eye drops. Wait at least 15 minutes after using the medication before reinserting your lenses.
• During pregnancy, brimonidine should only be used if absolutely necessary. Discuss its risks and benefits with your doctor.
• It is unknown if brimonidine passes into breast milk, so consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

• Brimonidine may increase side effects when used with central nervous system depressants (e.g., barbiturates, opiates, tranquilizers, or anesthetics).
• There is a potentially life-threatening risk of serious side effects when brimonidine is used with MAOIs (e.g., selegiline).

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