Alphagan 0.20% Eye Drop

Alphagan 0.20% Eye Drop

Alphagan 0.20% Eye Drop is a prescription eye medicine that lowers pressure inside the eye. It contains brimonidine tartrate 0.2%, an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist. Doctors use it to treat open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. The drop helps reduce the fluid that the eye makes and so lowers intraocular pressure (IOP).

Key Features

How does Alphagan 0.20% Eye Drop work?

• Brimonidine (the active drug in Alphagan 0.20% Eye Drop) acts on alpha-2 receptors in the eye.
• It reduces the production of aqueous humour (the fluid inside the eye) and may increase fluid drainage.
• Less fluid means lower intraocular pressure. Lower IOP helps protect the optic nerve and slow the progress of glaucoma.

Uses 

• Open-angle glaucoma.
• Ocular hypertension (high eye pressure without optic nerve damage yet).
• Sometimes used after certain laser procedures to prevent short-term IOP spikes (per clinician advice).

Dosage

• Alphagan 0.20% Eye Drop usually comes in 5 ml sterile dropper bottles.
• The common dose is one drop into the affected eye(s) twice a day, about 12 hours apart. Follow the prescription label exactly.

Side effects

• Burning or stinging in the eye for a few seconds.
• Dry mouth or bitter/altered taste.
• Mild redness or eye irritation.
• Blurred vision immediately after installation.

How to use Alphagan 0.20% Eye Drop step by step

1. Wash your hands.
2. Tilt your head back and pull down the lower lid to make a small pocket.
3. Hold the bottle close to the eye, but do not touch the eyelid or lashes with the tip.
4. Squeeze out one drop.
5. Close your eyes gently for 1–2 minutes. Press the inner corner of the eye (lacrimal sac) for ~1 minute to reduce systemic absorption.
6. Wipe away extra fluid with a clean tissue and recap the bottle.
7. If you use other eye drops, wait 5–10 minutes between different preparations so each can work properly.

Pharmacology and pharmacokinetics 

• Local action: Brimonidine acts mainly on the eye surface and internal eye tissues. It reduces fluid production and may help drainage.
• Systemic absorption: Some drugs can enter the bloodstream from the tear duct. This is usually small but can be lowered by punctal occlusion (pressing the inner corner) after dosing.
• Duration: The pressure-lowering effect typically lasts several hours; hence the twice-daily schedule. Response varies by patient.

Serious but uncommon risks and warnings

• Allergic reaction: Some patients develop allergic conjunctivitis or follicular conjunctivitis. If your eye gets very red, itchy, painful, or vision becomes worse, stop the drops and contact your clinician.
• Systemic effects: Brimonidine is an alpha-2 agonist. Rare systemic effects such as low blood pressure, drowsiness, or breathing problems have been reported, especially in young children. Do not give these drops to infants and small children unless a specialist advises it.
• Loss of effect: In some patients the IOP-lowering effect can lessen over time. Your clinician will monitor eye pressure and change therapy if needed.

Precautions for special groups

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Use only if your doctor says it is needed. Systemic exposure is low, but expert advice is best.
• Children: Brimonidine 0.2% has been associated with central nervous system depression in infants and small children. Avoid use in very young children unless a specialist recommends otherwise.
• Contact lens wearers: Remove soft contact lenses before instilling the drops if the formulation contains preservatives that can be absorbed by lenses. Wait the advised time before reinserting lenses. Check the product leaflet or ask your pharmacist.

Conclusion

Alphagan 0.20% Eye Drop (brimonidine tartrate 0.2%) is a well-established prescription eye drop for lowering intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. It works by lowering fluid production and may help fluid outflow. It is usually taken twice daily and is effective for many patients. Like all medicines, it has possible side effects and specific warnings, especially for young children and people who are sensitive to alpha-agonists. Use it only under the direction of an eye care professional and have regular follow-up to check eye pressure and tolerance.

References 

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=5316cf97-e38e-4e78-aff2-c6972a666f3d&type=display
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1936355/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14707960/

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