Brimonidine - Ophthalmic

Brimonidine is used on its own or together with other medicines to treat an increased pressure in the eye.

Instil Brimonidine eye drop solution in the affected eye(s) exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not use more or less than instructed by your doctor.

To use the eye drop solution, follow these steps:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before using the eye drops.
2. Tilt your head slightly backwards. With the index finger, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Look upward and instil the required number of drops inside the lower eyelid.
3. Close your eye and do not blink. Using your index finger, gently press the inner corner of your eye by the nose for 1 minute. This may help prevent the absorption of Brimonidine into other parts of the body.
4. Wipe any excess liquid from your face with a clean tissue.
5. Replace and tighten the cap of the bottle.

Do not allow the tip of the dropper of this medicine to touch your eyes, eyelids, or any other surface. Recap the eye drop immediately after use. If the eye drop becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in your eyes.

If you have been given any other eye drops or medicines to be used together with Brimonidine, wait for at least 5 minutes before using the other medicine.

Do not share your eye drops with anyone else.

Some brands of Brimonidine contain benzalkonium chloride as a preservative. This may discolour soft contact lenses and cause eye irritation. If you are wearing contact lenses, you should remove them before using this medicine. Wait for at least 15 minutes before reinserting your lenses.

Instil the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose to make up for a missed dose.

If you often forget to instil your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.

Do not use Brimonidine if you are currently taking or have taken a medicine that is used to treat depression known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine and tranylcypromine in the last 14 days.

Do not give this medicine to children below 2 years old unless instructed by the doctor.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• orthostatic hypotension (a sudden fall in blood pressure when standing up from a sitting or lying down position)
• severe, unstable or uncontrolled heart problems
• Raynaud's disease (poor blood circulation which makes the toes and fingers numb and pale when feeling cold or stressed)
• thromboangiitis obliterans (a rare disease of the small blood vessels in the hands and feet wherein the blood vessels become inflamed and blocked with blood clots)
• depression
• liver disease
• kidney disease

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

For as long as you are using Brimonidine, you may need to have your eyes checked regularly to monitor the pressure in your eyes. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have this test.

Brimonidine may cause drowsiness or temporary blurred vision. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.

Other side effects include any of the following: eye pain, irritation or dryness, foreign body sensation in the eye, dry mouth, headache, and tiredness.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience inflammation or swelling around or in the eye, eyelid swelling, change in eyesight, or severe eye irritation.

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Do not use Brimonidine if you are currently taking or have taken a medicine that is used to treat depression known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine and tranylcypromine in the last 14 days.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• medicines for heart disease e.g. cardiac glycosides
• medicines for high blood pressure e.g. reserpine
• medicines for mood disorders e.g. chlorpromazine
• methylphenidate (medicine used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a behavioural condition characterised by inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness)

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Brimonidine.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol. Alcohol intake may worsen the dizziness and drowsiness caused by Brimonidine.

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Throw away any remaining eye drops 4 weeks after opening. Mark the date of opening on the eye drop bottle so that you know when to discard it.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.