Brimonidine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands
Brimonidine is an alpha-adrenergic agonist sold in the U.S. under 7 brand and generic names, for open-angle glaucoma. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.
Key facts
- Drug class
- Alpha-Adrenergic Agonist
- Treats (across its forms)
- Open-Angle Glaucoma
- Available as
- Drops · Solution · Topical
- Sold as
- 7 products — Alphagan, Alphagan P and Brimonidine Tartrate, and others
- Prescription?
- Both Rx and OTC forms
- Generic available?
- Yes
- What the pharmacy pays
- about $10 per ml — not your price
How Alphagan P is dosed
From the FDA label for Alphagan P (application NDA021770). Other brimonidine products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
The recommended dosage is one drop of ALPHAGAN P in the affected eye(s) three times daily, approximately 8 hours apart. ALPHAGAN P may be used concomitantly with other topical ophthalmic drug products to lower intraocular pressure. If more than one topical ophthalmic product is to be used, the different products should be instilled at least 5 minutes apart. One drop in the affected eye(s) three times daily, approximately 8 hours apart. ( 2 )
Everything below is the FDA label for Alphagan P (drops). Brimonidine is also sold as solution and topical, and those are different medicines to take — follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
Alphagan P side effects
The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Potentiation of Vascular Insufficiency [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) ] Severe Cardiovascular Disease [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) ] Contamination of Topical Ophthalmic Products after Use [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ) ] Neonates and Infants (Pediatric Patients Younger than 2 Years Old) [ see Contraindications ( 4.1 ) ] Most common adverse reactions occurring in approximately 5% to 20% of patients receiving brimonidine ophthalmic solution (0.1% to 0.2%) included allergic conjunctivitis, burning sensation, conjunctival folliculosis, conjunctival hyperemia, eye pruritus, hypertension, ocular allergic reaction, oral dryness, and visual disturbance. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact AbbVie at 1-800-678-1605 or the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adverse reactions occurring in approximately 10% to 20% of the subjects receiving brimonidine ophthalmic solution (0.1% to 0.2%) included: allergic conjunctivitis, conjunctival hyperemia, and eye pruritus.…
Who shouldn’t take Alphagan P
Neonates and infants (pediatric patients younger than 2 years old). ( 4.1 ) Hypersensitivity Reactions. ( 4.2 ) 4.1 Neonates and Infants (Pediatric Patients Younger than 2 Years Old) ALPHAGAN P is contraindicated in neonates and infants (pediatric patients younger than 2 years old) [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 )]. 4.2 Hypersensitivity Reactions ALPHAGAN P is contraindicated in patients who have exhibited a hypersensitivity reaction to any component of this medication in the past.
Alphagan P drug interactions
Antihypertensives/cardiac glycosides may lower blood pressure. ( 7.1 ) Use with CNS depressants may result in an additive or potentiating effect. ( 7.2 ) Tricyclic antidepressants may potentially blunt the hypotensive effect of systemic clonidine. ( 7.3 ) Monoamine oxidase inhibitors may result in increased hypotension. ( 7.4 ) 7.1 Antihypertensives/Cardiac Glycosides Because ALPHAGAN P may reduce blood pressure, caution in using drugs such as antihypertensives and/or cardiac glycosides with ALPHAGAN P is advised. 7.2 CNS Depressants Although specific drug interaction studies have not been conducted with ALPHAGAN P, the possibility of an additive or potentiating effect with CNS depressants (alcohol, barbiturates, opiates, sedatives, or anesthetics) should be considered. 7.3 Tricyclic Antidepressants Tricyclic antidepressants have been reported to blunt the hypotensive effect of systemic clonidine. It is not known whether the concurrent use of these agents with ALPHAGAN P in humans can lead to resulting interference with the IOP lowering effect. Caution is advised in patients taking tricyclic antidepressants which can affect the metabolism and uptake of circulating amines. 7.4 Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors may theoretically interfere with the metabolism of brimonidine and potentially result in an increased systemic side-effect such as hypotension. Caution is advised in patients taking MAO inhibitors which can affect the metabolism and uptake of circulating amines.
Every brimonidine product we track (7)
Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 72/100 | Prescription | Drops | Generic | $10 | View → | |
| 2 | 72/100 | Prescription | Drops | Generic | $10 | View → | |
| 3 | 68/100 | Prescription | Solution | Generic | $10 | View → | |
| 4 | 68/100 | Prescription | Solution | Generic | $10 | View → | |
| 5 | Not yet rated | Over-the-counter | Drops | Generic | $10 | View → | |
| 6 | Not yet rated | Over-the-counter | Drops | Generic | $10 | View → | |
| 7 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Topical | Generic | $10 | View → |
Combination products containing brimonidine
A combination is a different drug — different dosing, different warnings. It is listed here so you can find it, not so you can substitute it.
Brimonidine recalls
From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.
Brimonidine Tartrate/Timolol Maleate Ophthalmic Solution 0.2%/0.5%*
Lack of Assurance of Sterility
Apotex Corp. · Mar 5, 2026
Brimonidine Tartrate/Timolol Maleate Ophthalmic Solution
Lack of Assurance of Sterility; atypical weight loss due to improper bottle sealing leading to potential sterility concerns
Apotex Corp. · Sep 5, 2025
Brimonidine Tartrate/Timolol Maleate Ophthalmic Solution
Lack of Assurance of Sterility
Apotex Corp. · May 28, 2025
How long brimonidine keeps
No brimonidine label we read sets a separate limit for after opening, but they do specify how it must be stored — and the stability behind any date assumes those conditions.
Does brimonidine expire? The in-use limits and storage rules from its labelsBrimonidine and breastfeeding
From LactMed, the US National Library of Medicine’s Drugs and Lactation Database — quoted, not rewritten.
Full LactMed record for brimonidine: levels in milk, effects in breastfed infants, and the drugs it would consider insteadLimited information indicates that maternal use of brimonidine 0.2% ophthalmic drops do not adversely affect their nursing infants. However, some authors and the manufacturer warn of possible CNS depression, apnea, lethargy, bradycardia with brimonidine and recommend against its use during breastfeeding. To substantially diminish the amount of drug that reaches the breastmilk after using eye drops, place pressure over the tear duct by the corner of the eye for 1 minute or more, then remove the excess solution with an absorbent tissue. The manufacturer of Combigan states that it is not recommended for use during lactation, but there is no evidence for this statement.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, record revised April 15, 2026. LactMed states its information is not a substitute for professional judgement.
What people report to the FDA about brimonidine
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 3,962 reports naming brimonidine, and the FDA flagged 53% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:
- eye pain325 reports
- eye irritation246 reports
- fatigue235 reports
- ocular hyperaemia213 reports
- headache205 reports
- vision blurred192 reports
- dizziness152 reports
- intraocular pressure increased132 reports
Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean brimonidine caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label section above.
Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved July 25, 2026.
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
What is Alphagan P?
Alphagan P (Brimonidine Tartrate) is an alpha-adrenergic agonist used to treat Open-Angle Glaucoma.
What kind of drug is brimonidine?
The FDA classifies brimonidine as an alpha-adrenergic agonist. Alpha-adrenergic agonists switch on alpha receptors on blood-vessel walls, much like the body's own adrenaline. This tightens the smooth muscle around the vessels, narrowing them to raise blood pressure or reduce swelling and congestion. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take brimonidine with other medicines?
It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run brimonidine against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is brimonidine sold under?
We track 7 brimonidine-containing products in the U.S.: Alphagan, Alphagan P, Brimonidine Tartrate, Qoliana, Lumify, Lumify Preservative Free and Mirvaso. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does brimonidine come in?
Across the brands we track, brimonidine is currently marketed as drops, solution and topical, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.
Is there a generic brimonidine?
Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic brimonidine product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.
Has brimonidine been recalled?
The FDA's Enforcement database lists 3 recall records whose product description mentions brimonidine. The most recent: Brimonidine Tartrate/Timolol Maleate Ophthalmic Solution 0.2%/0.5%* (Mar 5, 2026). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.
Cite this page
- APA
- pharmaranks. (2026, July 24). Brimonidine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands. https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/brimonidine
- MLA
- “Brimonidine: uses, dosing, side effects & brands.” pharmaranks, 24 July 2026, https://pharmaranks.com/drugs/brimonidine.
We summarise public FDA and NIH sources — for a clinical claim, cite the primary source we link to as well.
Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.
Read the full FDA label for brimonidine on DailyMed (NIH) ↗.