Brimonidine Tartrate + Benzalkonium Chloride
Indications
Brimonidine Tartrate + Benzalkonium Chloride is used for:
Open-angle glaucoma, Ocular hypertension
Adult Dose
The recommended dose is one drop in the affected eye(s) three times daily. Shake well before use.
Ophthalmic suspension may be used concomitantly with other topical ophthalmic drug products to lower intraocular pressure. If more than one topical ophthalmic drug is being used, the drugs should be administered at least five (5) minutes apart.
Child Dose
Renal Dose
Administration
Contra Indications
Hypersensitivity. Patients receiving MAO inhibitor therapy.
Precautions
Patients wearing soft contact lenses should wait for at least 15 min after instilling brimonidine tartrate before inserting soft contact lenses. Renal or hepatic impairment. CV disease. Use with caution in patients with depression, cerebral or coronary insufficiency, Raynaud's phenomenon, orthostatic hypotension or thromboangitis obliterans. Pregnancy, lactation.
Pregnancy-Lactation
Interactions
Possibility of an additive or potentiating effect with CNS depressants e.g. alcohol, barbiturates, opiates, sedatives or anaesthetics. Caution when used with beta-blockers (ophthalmic and systemic), antihypertensives or cardiac glycosides. TCAs can affect the metabolism and uptake of circulating amines.
Adverse Effects
Side effects of Brimonidine Tartrate + Benzalkonium Chloride :
Oral dryness; ocular hyperaemia, burning and stinging; headache, blurring of vision; foreign body sensation, fatigue or drowsiness; conjunctival follicles, ocular allergic reactions and ocular pruritus. Corneal staining or erosion, photophobia, eyelid erythema, ocular ache and pain, ocular dryness, tearing; upper respiratory symptoms; eyelid oedema, conjunctival oedema, dizziness, blepharitis, ocular irritation; GI symptoms; asthaenia; conjunctival blanching, abnormal vision and muscular pain.
Mechanism of Action
Brimonidine is an alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist which works to reduce aqueous humor production and increase uveoscleral flow.
Benzalkonium chloride is a quaternary ammonium antiseptic and disinfectant. It is also used as an antimicrobial preservative for pharmaceutical products. It is also used for the disinfection of rigid contact lenses.