Brimonidine is used to treat pressure put upon the eye caused by glaucoma and hypertension of the eye. High pressure on the eye can lead to eye pain and vision loss. Brimonidine helps to treat and prevent these complications by minimizing pressure on the eye.

Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes progressive damage to your optic nerve. This damage is usually the result of an abnormal amount of pressure inside of your eye and over time it can lead to vision loss or even blindness.

The most common type of glaucoma is open-angle glaucoma. The only symptom associated with open-angle glaucoma is vision loss. Usually, this vision loss begins with peripheral vision. However, if it is caught early enough you may be able to prevent additional vision loss. This is why you must get yearly comprehensive eye examinations by an ophthalmologist, or eye specialist, to monitor any changes to your vision.

Ocular hypertension (high pressure on the eye) occurs when there is an excessive amount of pressure inside the eye. The optic nerve is not affected by ocular hypertension, nor do signs of glaucoma appear during vision testing. Ocular hypertension is most common in people over 40, people managing high blood pressure or diabetes, people who are very nearsighted, and people with a family history of ocular hypertension or glaucoma.

Brimonidine belongs to a classification of medication known as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. These drugs work by stimulating the action of the alpha-adrenergic receptors. This mechanism decreases the formation of liquid (known as aqueous humor) in the eye, an excess of which puts pressure on the inner eye.

A decrease in pressure in the eye can help restore vision and reduces eye pain symptoms caused by ocular hypertension and glaucoma.

Brimonidine has been shown to cause some side effects. Talk to your health care provider if these mild reactions do not go away within a few days.

Common side effects reported from ophthalmic brimonidine use include:

• Irritation or discomfort in the eyes
  
• Headache
  
• Drowsiness
  
• Heartburn
  
• Dry eyes
  

This is not a complete list of adverse reactions caused by brimonidine. Call your doctor right away if you experience any difficulty breathing, itching eyes, skin rash, or swelling of the eyes while taking this medication.

As with all prescription medication, be sure to inform the prescribing doctor about any medical conditions you have been previously diagnosed with and any medication/ supplements you are currently taking before taking brimonidine. Brimonidine can interact with other forms of medication, causing potentially serious side effects. In addition, let your doctor know if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant before starting treatment with this medication.

Brimonidine is commonly administered as an ophthalmic solution (eye drops). Before applying brimonidine to the eyes, be sure to wash your hands to prevent harmful substances from getting in your eye or infecting your eyelid.

As a treatment for glaucoma and ocular hypertension, one drop of Brimonidine should be applied to the affected eye three times daily (about 8 hours apart).

Do not discontinue or increase your dosage of brimonidine without consulting your doctor first. Take the medication exactly as prescribed, and inform your doctor if you begin to experience any side effects while taking the medication.

Brimonidine is currently only available via prescription. This means the use of this drug must be authorized by a licensed health care provider.

Providers on Sesame can write a prescription – or refill an existing one – during a virtual or in-person visit. Depending on the medication, you can arrange for same-day pickup at a pharmacy near you. Book an online consultation with a real, licensed provider on Sesame today to determine whether or not brimonidine is right for you.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your health care provider. Providers on Sesame cannot prescribe controlled substances.

Good news! If deemed clinically appropriate, providers on Sesame can write a prescription for brimonidine to be picked up near you – often within the same day! Simply talk to a clinician and get your online doctor prescription or refill ordered right away for fast and convenient pickup from a pharmacy of your choice.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your healthcare provider.