Alphagan® Ophthalmic Solution for Open-Angle Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension

Alphagan® is a prescription eye drop used to reduce elevated pressure in open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. It may be used alone or with other pressure lowering drops.

Options include refills that Ships from Canada to US, and you can compare costs without insurance.

What Alphagan Is and How It Works

This medicine contains brimonidine tartrate, an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist. It lowers intraocular pressure by decreasing aqueous humor production and by enhancing uveoscleral outflow. Lowering eye pressure helps reduce the risk of optic nerve damage in chronic open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

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The treatment can be used as monotherapy or as an adjunct to other agents such as beta blockers or carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Effects and suitability depend on your diagnosis and medical history. Follow the approved label and your clinician’s guidance.

Who It’s For

This therapy is indicated to reduce elevated intraocular pressure in adults with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. It may be considered when a prostaglandin analogue, beta blocker, or a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor is not sufficient alone. Learn more about the condition in our Glaucoma resource and High Eye Pressure overview. For broader topics, see related Diabetic Eye Disease education.

It is not recommended for infants under 2 years. Use caution in young children because excessive sleepiness can occur. People with severe cardiovascular disease, depression, orthostatic hypotension, or significant renal/hepatic impairment should discuss risks with a clinician before starting.

Dosage and Usage

Standard labeling recommends one drop in the affected eye or eyes three times daily, about eight hours apart. When used with other topical ocular therapies, separate each product by at least five minutes to reduce washout. If a topical gel or ointment is part of the regimen, apply it last.

How to instill: wash hands, tilt your head back, gently pull down the lower eyelid, and place a single drop into the conjunctival sac. Avoid touching the dropper tip to the eye or any surface. After instillation, perform gentle nasolacrimal occlusion or close the eyelids for one to two minutes to help limit systemic absorption.

Contact lenses: remove soft lenses before instillation. Wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting lenses, particularly with preservative-containing formulations. Do not change your schedule unless your prescriber directs you to follow a different plan on the official label.

Strengths and Forms

Brimonidine is available as preserved eye drops for once-bottle use, commonly supplied in 5 mL bottles. Formulations include standard-strength options such as 0.2% and lower-preservative options such as 0.1%; availability varies by manufacturer and market. Branded preservative-reduced variants like Alphagan P may be offered depending on stock. See related Ophthalmic Medicines for additional eye-drop classes.

Missed Dose and Timing

If you miss a dose, instill it when you remember unless it is close to the next scheduled time. If it is near the next time, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not instill two doses at once. Use consistent daily timing to maintain steady pressure control.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store the bottle at room temperature in a clean, dry place with the cap tightly closed. Keep out of reach of children. Do not freeze. Protect the dropper tip from contamination. Check the product insert for any in-use discard dates after opening and follow those directions.

For travel, keep the bottle in your carry-on bag to avoid temperature extremes. Keep it in the original labeled carton for security checks. Carry a copy of your prescription. If your itinerary spans time zones, maintain roughly even spacing between doses rather than exact clock times.

Benefits

This class can provide meaningful reductions in intraocular pressure when used as directed. It is often effective as an add-on when a single agent is inadequate. It can be combined with other mechanisms to reach target pressure without adding oral therapy. The drop format is convenient for patients who prefer a non-invasive option.

Side Effects and Safety

• Eye redness or irritation
• Stinging or burning on instillation
• Dry mouth
• Blurred vision or foreign body sensation
• Headache, fatigue, or drowsiness
• Eyelid redness or itching

Serious but less common effects may include allergic conjunctivitis or blepharitis, marked bradycardia or hypotension, and syncope. In infants and very young children, severe apnea and lethargy have been reported. If you experience severe ocular allergy, pronounced dizziness, or breathing issues, seek medical attention promptly. Avoid tasks requiring alertness if drowsiness occurs.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Potential interactions include monoamine oxidase inhibitors (contraindicated), tricyclic antidepressants, and agents that affect noradrenergic transmission. Use caution with antihypertensives and cardiac glycosides since additive hypotensive or bradycardic effects may occur. Central nervous system depressants can increase sedation. Tell your clinician about all eye drops and systemic medicines you use. If pregnant or breastfeeding, discuss potential risks and alternatives before starting therapy.

What to Expect Over Time

With regular use, pressure reduction is typically maintained as directed by your clinician. Your eye care professional will monitor intraocular pressure and optic nerve status at follow-up visits to evaluate response and tolerability. Some people may develop ocular allergy over time; if symptoms of redness, itching, and lid swelling persist, contact your prescriber for evaluation of alternatives. Keep a simple dose log or phone reminder to support adherence.

Compare With Alternatives

Patients often compare brand and generic options to understand formulary access and costs, including Alphagan generic brimonidine price. Alternatives in other classes include beta blockers such as Timolol Maleate Ophthalmic Solution and the fixed combination carbonic anhydrase inhibitor plus beta blocker Cosopt. Your clinician may also consider a topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor like dorzolamide, or a prostaglandin-pathway option, if further pressure reduction is needed.

Pricing and Access

Canadian pricing can be favorable for many patients. You can review current pricing, bottle sizes such as 5 mL, and any generic options. We support US delivery from Canada with prescription validation. To start, Order brimonidine ophthalmic solution online after your prescription is confirmed. If you use self-pay, you can also compare the cash price for Alphagan solution with generic brimonidine. For occasional codes and site-wide offers, see our Promotions page.

Availability and Substitutions

Availability can vary by strength, preservative system, and bottle size. If a particular brand presentation is unavailable, your prescriber may recommend an equivalent generic or an alternative class. Buy brimonidine tartrate eye drops if your clinician approves a substitution and confirms it is appropriate for your case. We will contact your prescriber if substitution authorization is required under your prescription.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Good candidates include adults diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who need additional pressure reduction. It may be less suitable for people with severe cardiovascular instability, those on MAO inhibitors, or very young children. If you wear contact lenses, consider preservative content and follow lens-handling advice.

Practical ways to manage costs and access include:

• Multi-month supply: request longer fills if your prescriber agrees
• Refill reminders: set calendar alerts to prevent gaps
• Combination therapy: ask if a fixed-combination drop could simplify your regimen
• Generic use: discuss whether a generic is suitable for your prescription

For self-pay users, Brimonidine eye drops pay out of pocket can be compared against other classes to choose a sustainable regimen. Our encrypted checkout helps protect your information during payment.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• Is an alpha-2 agonist suitable for my type of glaucoma?
• How should I time this drop with other prescribed eye medicines?
• What signs of ocular allergy should I watch for?
• Could a preservative-reduced option be better with my contact lenses?
• Which alternatives would you consider if my pressure remains elevated?

Authoritative Sources

Manufacturer Prescribing Information

FDA DailyMed

Health Canada Drug Product Database

Ready to proceed? Place your request for brimonidine with prompt fulfilment, temperature-controlled handling when required, and US shipping from Canada after prescription verification. This information is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice.