Brimonidine is an opthalmic (eye) medication used to treat ocular (eye) hypertension (high blood pressure) and glaucoma (disease of increased high pressure). According to MedlinePlus, it belongs to the class of medicines called alpha adrenergic agonists. It reduces fluid production in your eye and subsequently, lowers your eye pressure. The National Library of Medicine says that you will place 1 drop of brimonidine into the affected eye 3 times a day.
Routine Side Effects
According to Drugs.com, brimonidine's common side effects include blurry vision, stinging, burning and itching of your eyes. It can also cause a foreign body sensation in your eye, redness, light sensitivity, muscle pain and fatigue. Other side effects include swollen eyes, stomach problems, nausea, trouble sleeping, dry mouth and a change in your taste sensation. MedlinePlus says that brimonidine can also cause watery eyes, facial pain or pressure and heartburn. Notify your physician when these symptoms last for at least 3 to 5 days.
Critical Side Effects
MedlinePlus says that bromonidine can cause trouble breathing, a rash, fainting and nausea. It can cause skin rashes, dizziness and blind spots or flashes of light in your visual field. Drugs.com indicates that brimonidine can cause bradycardia (slow heartbeat), eye pain, severe eye irritation and paresthesias (numbness or tingling of your hands and feet). Call your doctor if these effects develop.
Additional Side Effects
The National Library of Medicine says that brimonidine can cause trouble sleeping, anxiety, depression, palpitations (a pounding heartbeat), hypotension (low blood pressure), miosis (tiny pinpoint pupils), hypothermia (low body temperature) and vasodilation (relaxation of your blood vessels).
Additional Concerns
You should avoid brimonidine if you are allergic to it. You can develop difficulty breathing, hives and swelling of your throat, face, tongue or throat.
Avoid brimonidine if you use monoamine oxidase inhibitors such as phenilzine, isocarboxazid, rasagiline and tranylcypromine, says Drugs.com. These medications may interact with brimonidine and cause the aforementioned side effects.
Drugs.com warns that you should tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, kidney, liver or heart disease. Brimonidine can make these conditions worse.
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