Drug Name

Alphagan 2% (Alphagan P)

Drug Uses

Alphagan is used for lowering eye pressure in patients with wide-angle glaucoma or high blood pressure of the eye.

How to use

Use Alphagan P as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Do not stop using Alphagan P or change the dose unless advised to do so by your health care provider.

Remove soft contact lenses before you use Alphagan P ; lenses may be placed back in the eyes 15 minutes after use of Alphagan P .

To use Alphagan P in the eye, first, wash your hands. Tilt your head back. Using your index finger, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Drop the medicine into the pouch and gently close your eyes. Immediately use your finger to apply pressure to the inside corner of the eye for 1 to 2 minutes. Do not blink. Remove excess medicine around your eye with a clean, dry tissue, being careful not to touch your eye. Wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.

To prevent germs from contaminating your medicine, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface, including the eye. Keep the container tightly closed.

Instill 1 drop into the affected eye(s) 3 times daily about 8 hours apart or as directed by your health care provider.

More than 1 eye medicine may be used to lower eye pressure. Use the products at least 5 minutes apart.

If your medicine comes with a special cap, follow the directions on how to use this properly.

Do not use more medicine than prescribed unless advised to do so by your health care provider.

Contact your health care provider at once if you feel you have used too much of Alphagan P.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Alphagan P is an alpha-3 adrenergic agonist. It works by lowering the fluid pressure inside the eyeball and increasing fluid drainage from the eyeball.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Alphagan, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Storage

Store this medicine at room temperature in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and light.

Warnings/Precautions

Do NOT use Alphagan P if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Alphagan P
• you are taking furazolidone or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Alphagan P :
Some medical conditions may interact with Alphagan P . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have severe heart disease (including not enough blood flow) or kidney or liver problems
• if you have a history of depression
• if you have Raynaud phenomenon
• if you have low blood pressure, inflammation of the blood vessels, or not enough blood flow to the brain

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Alphagan P . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Bromocriptine, catechol-O-methyltranferase (COMT) inhibitors, cocaine, methyldopa, or oxytocic drugs (eg, ergotamine) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Alphagan P
• Furazolidone or MAOIs (eg, selegiline) because the risk of their side effects, including high fever, high blood pressure, and headache, may be increased by Alphagan P
• Guanethidine because its effectiveness may be decreased by Alphagan P
• Tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because they may increase or decrease Alphagan P 's effectiveness

Possible Side Effects

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Abnormal vision; cough; dizziness; drowsiness; dry eyes; dry mouth; eye irritation; flu; foreign body sensation; headache; inflamed eyelids; irritation near the eyelashes; loss of color in the eye; muscular pain; rash; redness of eyelid; runny nose; sensitivity to light; sinus infection; sore throat; staining and erosion of the cornea; stomach upset; swelling of the conjunctiva; tearing; tiredness; upper respiratory tract symptoms; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); anxiety; changes in heart rate; difficulty breathing; eyelid crusting; fainting; nasal dryness; palpitations; pounding in the chest.

More Information

If you have any questions about Alphagan P , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Alphagan P is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.