Brimonidine eye drops for glaucoma

About brimonidine eye drops

An increase in pressure within your eye can lead to damage to the optic nerve at the back of your eye. When this occurs it is called glaucoma. Glaucoma can lead to a loss of vision if it is not treated. If you have an increased pressure within your eye but without any damage to the optic nerve, this is called ocular hypertension. People with ocular hypertension have an increased risk of later developing glaucoma. Treatment with brimonidine eye drops helps to reduce eye pressure in people with ocular hypertension, and to prevent further eye damage in people with glaucoma.

Brimonidine eye drops are thought to work by reducing the amount of fluid that you make in the front part of your eye (called aqueous humour) and by increasing the drainage of fluid from your eye. These two actions help to lower the pressure within your eye.

Sometimes, more than one type of eye drop is needed to keep the pressure in the eye low. If this is the case for you, you may be asked to use two different eye drops, or you may be given drops which combine more than one type. Brimonidine is available as a combination eye drop with timolol (a beta-blocker) in a brand called Combigan®, and with brinzolamide (a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor) in a brand called Simbrinza®.

Before using brimonidine eye drops

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start using the eye drops, it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si usa lentes de contacto blandas.

• Si está embarazada o en periodo de lactancia.

• If you have a heart condition or blood vessel disorder.

• If you have a blood circulation problem (particularly if you have Raynaud's syndrome).

• If you feel dizzy when you sit up or stand up quickly.

• If you have a depressive illness.

• Si tiene algún problema con el funcionamiento del hígado o de los riñones.

• Si toma o utiliza otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, así como medicamentos a base de plantas y complementarios.

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción alérgica a un medicamento.

How to use brimonidine eye drops

1. Lávese bien las manos antes de utilizar las gotas.

2. Quita la tapa.

3. Inclina un poco la cabeza hacia atrás y tira del párpado inferior del ojo hacia abajo para formar una bolsa.

4. Sostenga la botella boca abajo cerca del ojo. Procure no tocarse el ojo mientras lo hace.

5. Apply enough pressure to the bottle to release one drop into your eye. (Do not use more than one drop - using several drops does not improve your glaucoma but will increase the risk of side-effects.)

6. Cierre el ojo durante uno o dos minutos y presione suavemente en el lado de la nariz donde la esquina del ojo se encuentra con la nariz. Esto ayuda a evitar que la gota se escurra y la mantiene en el ojo.

7. Repita el proceso en el otro ojo si le han indicado que utilice las gotas en ambos ojos.

8. Vuelva a colocar la tapa.

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• Antes de empezar a usar el colirio, lea el prospecto impreso del envase. Le dará más información sobre el colirio y le proporcionará una lista completa de los efectos secundarios que puede experimentar con su uso.

• Use one drop into the eye (or eyes) affected. The drops are used twice each day, 12 hours apart. Your dose will also be printed on the label of the bottle to remind you.

• Remember to use the drops at regular intervals and try not to miss any doses. If you do forget, use them as soon as you remember (unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case just use the drops when they are next due). Do not 'double up' to make up for a missed dose.

• Tenga cuidado de no tocar la punta del gotero con el ojo, los dedos o cualquier otra superficie. Así evitará que las gotas se contaminen.

• Si utiliza cualquier otro colirio, deje pasar entre 5 y 10 minutos entre una aplicación y otra. Así evitará que entre en el ojo más líquido del que puede soportar. De lo contrario, las gotas rebosarán y no surtirán el efecto deseado.

• When first put in, eye drops can make your eyes water and may sometimes cause blurred vision. If this happens, it should quickly clear. Make sure you can see clearly again before you drive, or use tools or machines.

• Do not wear soft contact lenses unless your doctor has advised you otherwise. This is because bottles of eye drops contain preservatives which can affect soft contact lenses.

• Acuda regularmente a las citas con su médico y a la clínica oftalmológica para que puedan comprobar su evolución.

Can brimonidine eye drops cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, eye drops can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains the most common ones associated with brimonidine. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with the drops. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

How to store brimonidine eye drops

• Eye drops can be used for four weeks once the bottle has been opened. Even if there is still some solution remaining after this time, throw it away and use a new bottle. This will help to prevent the risk of eye infections.

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.
  

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos