Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride
About
Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride is indicated to lower the intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve and results in reduced vision. Ocular hypertension is increased pressure in the eye due to poor drainage of aqueous humour (fluid in the eye that maintains normal pressure by its continuous flow).
Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride is a combination of Brimonidine tartrate (alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists) and Benzalkonium chloride (preservative). Brimonidine tartrate decreases the production of aqueous humour, thereby helping lower the increased pressure in the eye. Benzalkonium chloride acts as a preservative.
Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride is for ophthalmic use only. You are advised to use Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects, such as blurred vision, eye redness, discomfort, drowsiness and dry mouth. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Consult a doctor before using Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride is not recommended for children below 18years as the safety and effectiveness have not been established. Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride might cause drowsiness, so drive only if you are alert. Avoid touching the tip of the dropper as it may contaminate the contents. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and the medicines you are taking to prevent any side effects/interactions.
Uses of Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride
Medicinal Benefits
Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride contains Brimonidine tartrate and Benzalkonium chloride. Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride is indicated for lowering intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Brimonidine tartrate belongs to a group of medicines called alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists. It helps decrease the production of aqueous humour, thereby helps lower the increased pressure in the eye. Benzalkonium chloride acts as a preservative.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride
- Blurred/abnormal vision
- Eye redness
- Eye discomfort
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Dry mouth
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not use Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride if you are allergic to any of its contents, or if you are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants. Inform your doctor before using Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride if you have liver problems, narrow-angle glaucoma, dry eyes, cornea problems, coronary heart disease, depression, or poor/disturbed blood circulation. Consult a doctor before using Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride is not recommended for children below 18 years as the safety and effectiveness have not been established. Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride might temporarily cause drowsiness and abnormal/blurred vision; so, drive only if you are alert. Avoid consuming alcohol while using Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride as it might cause increased dizziness and drowsiness.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride may have interaction with tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics (chlorpromazine), an alkaloid (reserpine), stimulant (methylphenidate), alpha-blocker (prazosin).
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride may have interactions with conditions such as depression, heart problems, and circulation problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid consuming alcohol while using Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride as it might cause increased drowsiness. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this; your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionConsult your doctor before using Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride if you are breastfeeding. Your doctor will decide if Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride can be used during breastfeeding or not.
Driving
cautionBrimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride might temporarily cause drowsiness and blurred/abnormal vision. So, avoid driving or operating machinery until your vision is clear.
Liver
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding the usage of Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride in patients with liver impairment.
Kidney
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding the usage of Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride in patients with kidney impairment.
Children
unsafeBrimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride is not recommended for children below 18 years as the safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Wash your hands regularly. Avoid touching the eyes with dirty hands.
- Include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- 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 the 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, like 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. Ocular hypertension 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 a 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+benzalkonium Chloride decreases the production of aqueous humour, thereby helping lower the increased pressure in the eye.
Do not stop using Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride without consulting your doctor. Continue using Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride for as long as your doctor has prescribed it to you to treat your condition effectually. Consult the doctor if you experience any difficulty while using Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride.
Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride might temporarily cause blurred or abnormal vision. So, avoid driving or operating machinery until your vision is clear to prevent any mishappening.
Do not wear contact lenses while using Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride. Remove contact lenses before using Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride and put them back 15minutes after using Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride.
Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride can be used with other eye medications if prescribed by the doctor. However, maintain a gap of 5-10minutes between Brimonidine Tartrate+benzalkonium Chloride and other eye medications.
