Alphagan P 1.0 (Brimonidine Tartrate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Alphagan P 1.0 Used For?
Alphagan P 1.0 is an eye drop medication that helps manage glaucoma and high eye pressure. It’s designed to protect your vision by controlling the fluid pressure inside your eyes.
Primary Uses
Alphagan P 1.0 is used to lower raised pressure in the eye and treat glaucoma. Glaucoma is a condition where fluid pressure in the eye may be high, though some people with glaucoma have normal eye pressure. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to serious vision problems, including total blindness.
How It Works
Alphagan P 1.0 lowers eye pressure by decreasing the amount of fluid produced in the eye and helping fluid flow out of the eye chamber more effectively. While it helps control glaucoma, it does not cure the condition.
Good to know: Alphagan P 1.0 can be used alone or with other eye medications to effectively manage your eye pressure.
How to Take Alphagan P 1.0
Proper application technique is important for getting the full benefit of your eye drops and avoiding contamination.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is one drop in the affected eye(s) two times daily, approximately every 12 hours. Use at the same time each day for best results. Wash hands before use, shake bottle gently, tilt head back, pull down lower eyelid to form a pouch, and squeeze one drop into the pouch. Close eye without blinking and press finger against inner corner of eye for 2 minutes to prevent drainage. Wait 15 minutes before inserting contact lenses. If using other eye drops, wait 5-10 minutes between different medications.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you forget a dose and it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. If you remember soon after missing a dose, apply it as soon as possible, then return to your normal schedule.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Don’t touch the dropper tip to your eye or any surface to avoid contamination.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Eye redness and allergic reactions
- Blurry vision
- Tearing
- Burning and stinging in the eyes
- Eye discharge
- Swelling of eyelids
- Sore eyes
- Feeling of something in the eye
- Itchy or irritated eyes
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Headache
- Dry mouth
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe blurred vision or halos around lights
- Loss of feeling on the eye surface
- Severe allergic reaction with swelling of tongue, lips, throat, or difficulty breathing
Important Warnings
Before using Alphagan P 1.0, it’s important to discuss your medical history and current medications with your doctor to ensure safe use.
Who Should Not Take Alphagan P 1.0
Do not use if you are allergic to brimonidine tartrate or any ingredients in the medication, if you are taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor antidepressants, if you are under 2 years of age, or if the bottle seal is broken or shows signs of tampering.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, severe uncontrolled heart disease, poor blood flow to the heart or brain, depression, Raynaud’s syndrome (numbness and color changes in fingers when cold), or dizziness when standing up from sitting or lying positions.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefits of using Alphagan P 1.0 during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Children: Children 2 years and older, especially those weighing 20 kg or less, should be treated with caution and closely monitored.
Drug Interactions
Alphagan P 1.0 can interact with several types of medications, potentially affecting how they work or increasing side effects.
Important: Tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and supplements you’re taking, including over-the-counter products.
- Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (phenelzine, tranylcypromine)
- Barbiturates used for epilepsy
- Strong pain medications (opiates)
- Sleep medications
- Anesthetics
- High blood pressure medications including beta blockers
- Sympathomimetics (asthma, headache, cough and cold medicines)
- Alcohol
- Other medicines broken down by the liver
Alcohol & Driving
Alphagan P 1.0 can affect your ability to drive safely and may interact with alcohol to increase drowsiness.
Alcohol
Alphagan P 1.0 may cause drowsiness, and this effect can be worsened by drinking alcohol. Use caution when consuming alcohol while using this medication.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Wait for your vision to clear after using Alphagan P 1.0 before driving or operating machinery. Do not drive or operate machines if you feel tired or drowsy while using this medication.
Storage
Store Alphagan P 1.0 below 30°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Keep the container tightly closed to avoid contamination and don’t touch the dropper tip to any surface. Keep out of reach of children. Discard the bottle 4 weeks after first opening – write the opening date on the bottle as a reminder. The preservative only protects against germs for 4 weeks after opening.
Overdose Information
If you accidentally use too much Alphagan P 1.0 in your eyes, immediately rinse your eyes with warm water. If the medication is accidentally swallowed, contact the Poisons Information Centre in Australia (13 11 26), the National Poisons Centre in New Zealand (0800 POISON or 0800 764 766), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately, even if there are no obvious symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Alphagan P 1.0 begins working to lower eye pressure, but the full effect develops over time with regular use. Your doctor will monitor your eye pressure to determine how well the medication is working for you.
Wait 15 minutes after using Alphagan P 1.0 before inserting your contact lenses to allow the medication to be absorbed properly.
The main difference is the preservative used. Alphagan P 1.0 contains ‘Purite’ preservative, while regular Alphagan contains benzalkonium chloride. Your doctor may prescribe Alphagan P 1.0 if you have sensitivity to the preservative in regular Alphagan.
Contact your doctor immediately if you suspect an eye infection (redness, discharge, pain). Your doctor may advise you to use a new container or temporarily stop treatment to prevent further contamination.
No, do not stop using Alphagan P 1.0 without checking with your doctor. The medication helps control your condition but doesn’t cure it. Stopping suddenly can cause your eye pressure to rise again and potentially damage your eyes.
Pressing on the inside corner of your eye for about 2 minutes helps prevent the medicine from draining through the tear duct to your nose and throat, where it could be absorbed into other parts of your body.
A slight burning sensation shortly after using the drops is common. However, if this persists or is very uncomfortable, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.