Adult: As 0.1, 0.15 or 0.2% soln: Instill 1 drop into affected eye(s) bid or tid (approx 8 or 12 hrly).
Topical/Cutaneous Rosacea
Adult: As 0.33% gel: Apply pea-sized amount once daily as a thin layer across the entire face covering each of the 5 areas of the face (forehead, nose, chin and each cheek).
Contraindications
Childn <2 yr. Concomitant use of MAOIs.
Special Precautions
Patient w/ severe or unstable and uncontrolled CV disease, mental depression, orthostatic hypotension, cerebral or coronary insufficiency, Raynaud’s phenomenon, or thromboangiitis obliterans. Renal or hepatic impairment.
This drug may cause fatigue and/or drowsiness, if affected, do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid exposure to excessive sunlight and UV irradiation (topical). Remove contact lenses prior to ophth admin and reinsert after 15 min.
Monitoring Parameters
Monitor IOP routinely.
Drug Interactions
TCAs (e.g. imipramine) and tetracyclic antidepressants (e.g. mianserin) that affect the metabolism and uptake of circulating amines may interfere w/ IOP-lowering effect brimonidine. Additive IOP-lowering and CV effects w/ β-blockers, antihypertensives, cardiac glycosides. Additive or potentiating effect w/ CNS depressants (e.g. barbiturates, opiates, sedatives or anaesthetics). Potentially Fatal: Interfered metabolism and increased adverse effect when used w/ MAOIs (e.g. selegiline).
Food Interaction
Additive CNS depressant effect w/ alcohol.
Action
Description: Mechanism of Action: Brimonidine is an α2-adrenoceptor agonist. As an ophthalmic agent, it works to reduce aqueous humour production and increase uveoscleral flow, thus lowering intraocular pressure (IOP). Topically, it reduces erythema through direct cutaneous vasoconstriction. Onset: Rapid (ophth). Duration: ≥12 hr (ophth). Pharmacokinetics: Absorption: Time to peak plasma concentration: Approx 0.5-4 hr (ophth); approx after 15 days (topical). Metabolism: Extensive hepatic metabolism. Excretion: Via urine. Elimination half-life: Approx 2-3 hr (ophth).
S01EA05 - brimonidine ; Belongs to the class of sympathomimetics used in the treatment of glaucoma. D11AX21 - brimonidine ; Belongs to the class of other dermatologicals.
References
Actavis New Zealand Limited. Arrow-Brimonidine Ophthamic Solution data sheet 1 July 2013. Medsafe. http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/. Accessed 19/08/2016.AFT Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Brimonidine AFT Ophthalmic Solution data sheet April 2013. Medsafe. http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/. Accessed 19/08/2016.Anon. Brimonidine (Ophthalmic). Lexicomp Online. Hudson, Ohio. Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. https://online.lexi.com. Accessed 19/08/2016.Anon. Brimonidine (Topical). Lexicomp Online. Hudson, Ohio. Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. https://online.lexi.com. Accessed 19/08/2016.Brimonidine tartrate Solution/Drops (Regimed Medical). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/. Accessed 19/08/2016.Buckingham R (ed). Brimonidine Tartrate. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference [online]. London. Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 19/08/2016.Healthcare Logistics. Mirvaso Gel data sheet 20 January 2016. Medsafe. http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/. Accessed 19/08/2016.Joint Formulary Committee. Brimonidine Tartrate. British National Formulary [online]. London. BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 19/08/2016.McEvoy GK, Snow EK, Miller J et al (eds). Brimonidine Tartrate (EENT). AHFS Drug Information (AHFS DI) [online]. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 19/08/2016.McEvoy GK, Snow EK, Miller J et al (eds). Brimonidine tartrate (Topical). AHFS Drug Information (AHFS DI) [online]. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 19/08/2016.