Brimonidine Tartrate
About
Brimonidine Tartrate belongs to the class of alpha-adrenergic agonists, used alone or in combination with other medicines to lower increased eye pressure in conditions such as ocular hypertension and glaucoma. Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the optic nerve is damaged. This damaged nerve leads to an increase in eye pressure abnormally and can lead to permanent vision loss.
Brimonidine Tartrate contains Brimonidine tartrate that works by decreasing the production of aqueous humour (fluid in the eye). Thereby, Brimonidine Tartrate helps in reducing eye pressure.
Brimonidine Tartrate is for ophthalmic use only. In some cases, Brimonidine Tartrate may cause common side effects such as watery eyes, irritation, abnormal taste, and abnormal vision. Most of these side effects of Brimonidine Tartrate are temporary, do not require medical attention, and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
You are not recommended to stop using Brimonidine Tartrate abruptly as it may increase eye pressure. Brimonidine Tartrate is not recommended for children below 17 years as safety has not been established. Avoid alcohol consumption while using Brimonidine Tartrate. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy before starting Brimonidine Tartrate. Brimonidine Tartrate may cause drowsiness, blurred vision or abnormal vision, so drive only if you are alert.
Uses of Brimonidine Tartrate
Medicinal Benefits
Brimonidine Tartrate contains Brimonidone tartrate which is primarily used in treating increased pressure of the eye in conditions such as glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Brimonidine Tartrate works by decreasing the production of aqueous humour (fluid in the eye) and reducing eye pressure.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Brimonidine Tartrate
- Watery eyes
- Irritation
- Itchy eyes
- Abnormal vision
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not use Brimonidine Tartrate if you are allergic to any of its ingredients, if you are taking tricyclic antidepressants or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or if you are breastfeeding. Inform your doctor if you have/had depression, heart problems, light-headedness, reduced mental capacity, lowered blood supply to the brain, blood vessel disease, poor blood circulation problems, or liver/kidney problems. Brimonidine Tartrate is not recommended for children below 17 years as safety has not been established. Avoid alcohol consumption while using Brimonidine Tartrate. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy before starting Brimonidine Tartrate. Brimonidine Tartrate may cause drowsiness, blurred vision or abnormal vision, so drive only if you are alert.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Brimonidine Tartrate may interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitor (isocarboxazid, phenelzine, selegiline, tranylcypromine). Inform your doctor if you are taking antidepressants (amitriptyline, amoxapine, clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline, protriptyline, trimipramine), barbiturates (phenobarbital, secobarbital), heart disease medications (digoxin), medicines for mental illness ( chlorpromazine, methylphenidate, reserpine), anti-hypertensives (metoprolol, atorvastatin), and diuretics (furosemide).
Drug-Food Interactions: Alcohol, if taken along with Brimonidine Tartrate, is known to cause excessive drowsiness. Therefore, avoid alcohol consumption while using Brimonidine Tartrate.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have or ever had depression, cornea problems, liver or kidney disease, heart problems, or poor blood circulation problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid alcohol consumption while using Brimonidine Tartrate as it might cause increased drowsiness.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult a doctor if you are pregnant. Brimonidine Tartrate is given to a pregnant woman only if the doctor thinks the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAvoid breastfeeding while using Brimonidine Tartrate. Please consult a doctor before using Brimonidine Tartrate if you are a breastfeeding mother.
Driving
cautionBrimonidine Tartrate may cause drowsiness, abnormal vision, or blurred vision in some people. So, drive only when your vision is clear after using Brimonidine Tartrate.
Liver
cautionIf you have any concerns regarding the use of Brimonidine Tartrate in patients with liver problems, please consult a doctor.
Kidney
cautionIf you have any concerns regarding the use of Brimonidine Tartrate in patients with kidney problems, please consult a doctor.
Children
unsafeBrimonidine Tartrate is not recommended for children below 17 years of age as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid intake of baked foods such as cakes, cookies, doughnuts, or fried items such as French fries and stick margarine as these foods may worsen glaucoma and damage optic nerve.
- Cut down your coffee intake as it may increase pressure in the eye. Replace coffee with green tea.
- Avoid exercises such as any position where the head is lower than the body as an inverted yoga pose, as it may increase pressure in the eye. Doing selective exercises is advised for glaucoma patients.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Glaucoma: It is an eye condition that causes damage to the optic nerve (essential for good vision) due to abnormally increased pressure in the eye. If it is not treated in time, it may cause blindness. Usually, there are no symptoms of glaucoma initially except the slow loss of vision gradually. However, some symptoms include visible rainbow-coloured circles around bright lights or blurred vision. Rarely, glaucoma can develop suddenly with intense pain in the eye, visual disturbance, or nausea.
Ocular hypertension: It is a condition caused due to poor drainage of aqueous humour (fluid in the eye that maintains normal pressure by its continuous flow). This leads to the build-up of excess fluid in the eye resulting in increased pressure inside the eye without any damage to the optic nerve. If ocular hypertension is not controlled, it may lead to glaucoma.
FAQs
Brimonidine Tartrate contains Brimonidine tartrate that works by reducing the secretion of aqueous humour (a liquid that maintains normal pressure in the eyeball) and lowers the pressure in the eye.
Brimonidine Tartrate can be used with other eye medications if advised by the doctor. However, you are recommended to maintain a time gap of a minimum of 5 minutes between using Brimonidine Tartrate and other eye medications. Administer eye ointments in the last.
Brimonidine Tartrate may cause temporary blurred vision. Therefore, you are recommended to wait until your vision is clear before driving or operating heavy machinery.
You are not recommended to stop using Brimonidine Tartrate without consulting your doctor as it may increase pressure in the eyes and may lead to loss of vision. Therefore, use Brimonidine Tartrate for as long as your doctor has prescribed it and if you experience any difficulty while using Brimonidine Tartrate, please consult your doctor.
Do not wear contact lens while using Brimonidine Tartrate unless told by the doctor. Remove contact lenses before using Brimonidine Tartrate and reinsert them after 15 minutes of using Brimonidine Tartrate.
