alphagan p
Pharmaranks rates Alphagan P 3.6/5 for recall safety — an independent score from its FDA recall history and its manufacturer's record. Alphagan P (Brimonidine Tartrate) is an alpha-adrenergic agonist used to treat Open-Angle Glaucoma.
Brimonidine Tartrate · by Abbvie
Available as a generic: Brimonidine Tartrate
Based on 1 source · Recall-safety score from FDA recall history — this product's own recalls and its manufacturer's record. Not an efficacy or quality rating. methodology →
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Brimonidine Tartrate
- Drug class
- Alpha-Adrenergic Agonist
- Form
- Drops
- Strength
- Brimonidine Tartrate 0.1%
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Brand-name
- May treat
- open-angle glaucoma
- Manufacturer
- Abbvie
- What the pharmacy pays
- ~$10.38 per ml — not your price
- FDA application
- NDA021770
What is Alphagan P?
From the FDA label:ALPHAGAN P (brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution) 0.1% or 0.15%, sterile, is a relatively selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist for topical ophthalmic use. The structural formula of brimonidine tartrate is: 5-Bromo-6-(2-imidazolidinylideneamino) quinoxaline L-tartrate; MW= 442.24 In solution, ALPHAGAN P (brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution) has a clear, greenish-yellow color. It has an osmolality of 250-350 mOsmol/kg and a pH of 7.4-8.0 (0.1%) or 6.9-7.4 (0.15%). Brimonidine tartrate appears as an off-white to pale-yellow powder and is soluble in both water (0.6 mg/mL) and in the product vehicle (1.4 mg/mL) at pH 7.7. Each mL of ALPHAGAN P contains the active ingredient brimonidine tartrate 0.1% (1 mg/mL) or 0.15% (1.5 mg/mL) with the inactive ingredients sodium carboxymethylcellulose; sodium borate; boric acid; sodium chloride; potassium chloride; calcium chloride; magnesium chloride; PURITE ® 0.005% (0.05 mg/mL) as a preservative; purified water; and hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide to adjust pH. The structural formula of brimonidine tartrate is brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution) 0.1% or 0.15%, sterile, is a relatively selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist (topical intraocular pressure lowering agent).
How to use
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 )
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.…
Warnings
Important safety information
Potentiation of vascular insufficiency. ( 5.1 ) 5.1 Potentiation of Vascular Insufficiency ALPHAGAN P may potentiate syndromes associated with vascular insufficiency. ALPHAGAN P should be used with caution in patients with depression, cerebral or coronary insufficiency, Raynaud’s phenomenon, orthostatic hypotension, or thromboangiitis obliterans. 5.2 Severe Cardiovascular Disease Although brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution had minimal effect on the blood pressure of patients in clinical studies, caution should be exercised in treating patients with severe cardiovascular disease. 5.3 Contamination of Topical Ophthalmic Products After Use There have been reports of bacterial keratitis associated with the use of multiple-dose containers of topical ophthalmic products. These containers had been inadvertently contaminated by patients who, in most cases, had a concurrent corneal disease or a disruption of the ocular epithelial surface. Do not touch the tip of the dispensing container to the eye or surrounding structures. Serious damage to the eye and subsequent loss of vision may result from using contaminated solutions [ see P atient C ounseling I nformation ( 17 )] .
Who should not 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.
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
Limited information exists on accidental ingestion of brimonidine in adults; the only adverse reaction reported to date has been hypotension. Symptoms of brimonidine overdose have been reported in neonates, infants, and children receiving ALPHAGAN P as part of medical treatment of congenital glaucoma or by accidental oral ingestion [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ] . Treatment of an oral overdose includes supportive and symptomatic therapy; a patent airway should be maintained.
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
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.
Drug class
How this class works, per Alpha-1 Receptor Agonists - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
See how Alphagan P ranks — best-rated alpha-adrenergic agonist for:
Dosage forms
Drops
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
Ask for the generic
Same active ingredient, far cheaper. Is there a generic? →
Request a 90-day supply
Bulk fills usually lower the per-dose price vs monthly refills.
Use copay cards
Manufacturer copay cards & patient-assistance programs — especially for brand drugs.
Compare alternatives
A same-class option may cost less. See alternatives →
Frequently asked questions
- What does Alphagan P treat?
- Alphagan P (Brimonidine Tartrate) may be used to treat open-angle glaucoma, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- How does Alphagan P work?
- Alphagan P is a 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.
- How is Alphagan P rated?
- pharmaranks gives Alphagan P a composite score of 3.6 out of 5, currently based on 1 weighted source (FDA regulatory recall-safety data weighted highest). See our methodology at /how-we-rate.
- How much does Alphagan P cost?
- Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $10.38 per ml, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins. Pharmacies pay less for a same-class option, Iopidine — about $9.81 on the same basis.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Alphagan P?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Alphagan P. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Alphagan P?
- Alphagan P is marketed by Abbvie. You can see Abbvie's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Alphagan P a brand-name or generic drug?
- Alphagan P is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Brimonidine Tartrate. Lower-cost generic equivalents containing Brimonidine Tartrate are available — ask your pharmacist.
- Is Alphagan P available over the counter?
- No. Alphagan P is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Alphagan P come in?
- Alphagan P is currently marketed as drops, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- What class of drug is Alphagan P?
- Alphagan P is classified as alpha-adrenergic agonist, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
- Is Alphagan P FDA-registered?
- Alphagan P is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA021770. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Has Alphagan P been recalled by the FDA?
- Alphagan P has no FDA recalls recorded under its own application in the openFDA enforcement database. Its recall-safety score reflects its manufacturer's overall recall record. This is general reference, not medical advice — check the FDA recall database for the latest alerts.
- Is Alphagan P safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict. pharmaranks gives Alphagan P a recall-safety score of 72/100, based on its FDA recall history (no recalls under its own FDA application) — not an efficacy or side-effect rating. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings before use, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Alphagan P?
- Alphagan P's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: 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 Warning… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
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alphagan p
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