Brimonidine Tartrate 0.1%, 0.15%, 0.2% Suppliers & Bulk Manufacturers

Available Forms: Eye Drops

Available Strengths: 0.1%, 0.15%, 0.2%

Reference Brands: Alphagan P (USA), Mirvaso (USA)

Category: Opthalmology

Brimonidine is a selective α₂-adrenergic receptor agonist used to treat elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension and to relieve persistent facial redness in rosacea. When used in the eye, it reduces aqueous humour production and increases uveoscleral outflow, thereby lowering intraocular pressure. As a topical gel, it induces vasoconstriction of superficial dermal blood vessels to reduce erythema in rosacea.

Product Description:

Brimonidine is a selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist. In the eye it lowers pressure two ways: it reduces production of aqueous humour by the ciliary body and increases uveoscleral outflow. Its selectivity for alpha-2 over alpha-1 receptors is far higher than that of apraclonidine, the older agent in this class, which is why it causes less of the allergic conjunctivitis and tachyphylaxis that limited apraclonidine to short-term use.

It is used two or three times daily for open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension, often added to a prostaglandin or a beta-blocker, and it is also used to blunt the pressure spike after laser procedures. Local allergy — redness, itching and follicular conjunctivitis — is the commonest reason for stopping, and it can appear months into treatment. Systemically it causes dry mouth, fatigue and drowsiness. It is contraindicated in infants and young children, in whom absorbed drug crosses the immature blood-brain barrier and has caused apnoea, bradycardia and profound sedation.

Sourcing notes. Off patent, with three concentrations on the market; the lower strengths were developed to improve tolerability, and some use an alternative preservative rather than benzalkonium chloride. Buyers should specify the concentration and the preservative system, since they are not interchangeable in tolerability terms.