Generic name: brimonidine ophthalmic [ bri-MO-ni-deen-off-THAL-mik ]
Drug class: Ophthalmic glaucoma agents

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Dec 7, 2022.

What is Alphagan P?

Alphagan P reduces the amount of fluid in the eye, which decreases pressure inside the eye.

Alphagan P is a prescription eye drop used to reduce pressure inside the eyes in people with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Alphagan P is for use in adults and children as young as 2 years old.

Warnings

Stop using Alphagan P if your eyes become swollen, painful, or have a discharge. See your doctor as soon as possible.

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Alphagan P if you are allergic to brimonidine.

To make sure Alphagan P is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart problems, circulation problems;

• coronary artery disease (clogged arteries);

• low blood pressure;

• depression; or

• Raynaud''s syndrome, Buerger disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

How should I use Alphagan P?

Use Alphagan P exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

If you wear soft contact lenses, use the drops at least 10 minutes before inserting your lenses.

Wash your hands before using the eye drops.

To apply the Alphagan P eye drops:

• Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the dropper above the eye with the tip down. Look up and away from the dropper and squeeze out a drop.

• Close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes with your head tipped down, without blinking or squinting. Gently press your finger to the inside corner of the eye for about 1 minute, to keep the liquid from draining into your tear duct.

• Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed. If you use more than one drop, wait about 5 minutes between drops.

• Wait at least 5 minutes before using any other eye drops your doctor has prescribed.

Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed.

Do not touch the tip of the eye dropper or place it directly on your eye. A contaminated dropper can infect your eye, which could lead to serious vision problems.

Wait at least 5 minutes before using any other eye drops your doctor has prescribed.

Do not use the Alphagan P eye drops if the liquid looks cloudy, has changed colors, or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any eye injury or infection, or if you need to have any type of surgery, especially eye surgery.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose of Alphagan P for Intraocular Hypertension:

1 drop in the affected eye(s) 3 times per day, approximately 8 hours apart

Use: To lower intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension

Usual Adult Dose of Alphagan P for Glaucoma (Open Angle):

1 drop in the affected eye(s) 3 times per day, approximately 8 hours apart

Use: To lower intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension

Usual Pediatric Dose for Intraocular Hypertension:

2 years or older:
1 drop in the affected eye(s) 3 times per day, approximately 8 hours apart

Use: To lower intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension

Usual Pediatric Dose for Glaucoma (Open Angle):

2 years or older:
1 drop in the affected eye(s) 3 times per day, approximately 8 hours apart.

Use: To lower intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Comments:
-This drug may be used concomitantly with other topical ophthalmic drugs.
-If more than one topical ophthalmic drug is being used, the products should be administered at least 5 minutes apart.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of Alphagan P is not expected to be dangerous. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.

What should I avoid while using Alphagan P?

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how Alphagan P will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Do not use other eye medications unless your doctor tells you to.

Alphagan P side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Alphagan P: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• eye pain or increased watering;

• vision changes; or

• severe swelling, redness, burning, or discomfort in or around your eye.

Common Alphagan P side effects may include:

• mild itching, redness, burning, or other irritation of your eyes;

• dry mouth, blurred vision; or

• drowsiness, tiredness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Alphagan P?

Using Alphagan P with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• an antidepressant; or

• heart or blood pressure medication.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Alphagan P, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Alphagan P only for the indication prescribed.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the difference between Lumify and Alphagan P?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 6.01.

Alphanate

Generic name: antihemophilic and von Willebrand factor complex [ AN-tye-HEE-moe-FIL-ik-and-von-WIL-e-brand-FAK-tor-KOM-plex ]
Brand names: Alphanate, Humate-P, Wilate
Drug class: Miscellaneous coagulation modifiers

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jan 20, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is Alphanate?

Antihemophilic and von Willebrand factors are naturally occurring proteins in the blood that help the blood to clot.

A lack of antihemophilic factor VIII is the cause of hemophilia A. A lack of von Willebrand factor is the cause of von Willebrand disease. Alphanate works by temporarily raising levels of factor VIII or von Willebrand factor in the blood to aid in clotting.

Alphanate is a combination medicine used to treat or prevent bleeding episodes in people with von Willebrand disease.

Alphanate is also used to treat or prevent bleeding episodes in people with hemophilia A.

Alphanate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

You should not use this medication if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to antihemophilic factor in the past.

Your body may develop antibodies to antihemophilic factor, making it less effective. Call your doctor if this medicine seems to be less effective in controlling your bleeding.

Carefully follow all instructions about how to store this medicine. Each brand of antihemophilic and von Willebrand factor complex may have specific storage instructions.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Alphanate if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to antihemophilic factor.

To make sure you can safely use this medication, tell your doctor if you have ever had a stroke or a blood clot.

Your doctor may want you to receive a hepatitis vaccination before you start using Alphanate.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether antihemophilic and von Willebrand factor complex passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Alphanate is made from human plasma (part of the blood) which may contain viruses and other infectious agents. Donated plasma is tested and treated to reduce the risk of it containing infectious agents, but there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication.

How should I use Alphanate?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Always check the strength of the medicine on the label to be sure you are using the correct potency.

Alphanate is injected into a vein through an IV. You may be shown how to use an IV at home. Do not give yourself this medicine if you do not understand how to use the injection and properly dispose of needles, IV tubing, and other items used.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Always wash your hands before preparing and giving your injection.

Alphanate is a powder medicine that must be mixed with a liquid (diluent) before using it. If you are using the injections at home, be sure you understand how to properly mix and store the medicine.

After mixing the medicine with a diluent, store at room temperature and use it within 3 hours. Do not refrigerate or freeze.

Do not shake the mixed medicine. Prepare your dose in a syringe only when you are ready to give yourself an injection. A single-use vial is for one use only. After measuring your dose, throw this vial away, even if there is medicine left in it.

Do not use Alphanate if it has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Use a disposable needle and syringe only once. Follow any state or local laws about throwing away used needles and syringes. Use a puncture-proof "sharps" disposal container (ask your pharmacist where to get one and how to throw it away). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

While using this medicine, you may need frequent blood tests.

Your body may develop antibodies to antihemophilic factor, making it less effective. Call your doctor if this medicine seems to be less effective in controlling your bleeding.

Carefully follow all instructions about how to store this medicine. Each brand of antihemophilic and von Willebrand factor complex may have specific storage instructions.

Store the medicine and diluent at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Throw away any medicine not used before the expiration date on the medicine label.

The Wilate brand of this medicine should be stored in the original container in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Before preparing your dose, take these items of the refrigerator and allow them to reach room temperature.

If you store this medicine at room temperature, do not return it to the refrigerator.

Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you have hemophilia or von Willebrand disease. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you have a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since Alphanate is sometimes used only when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are on a schedule, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using Alphanate?

Follow your doctor''s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Alphanate side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; chest tightness, wheezing, difficult breathing; feeling like you might pass out; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Alphanate may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• hot flashes when the injection is given;

• sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;

• sudden cough, coughing up blood;

• pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one or both legs;

• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness;

• bleeding from a wound or where the medicine was injected; or

• bleeding that is not controlled.

Common side effects of Alphanate may include:

• nosebleeds;

• rash or itching;

• numbness or tingling;

• headache, dizziness; or

• back pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Alphanate?

Other drugs may interact with Alphanate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.01.