Efficacy, safety, and current applications of brimonidine

Abstract

Background: The use of brimonidine to lower intraocular pressure has been the subject of considerable investigation. Variations of the initially approved drug including agents of a lower concentration (Alphagan^® P 0.15 and 0.1%, Allergan, Inc., Irvine, CA, USA) and a fixed-combination mating brimonidine with timolol (Combigan^®, Allergan) evolved the marketing and application of this therapy. Objective: We review available evidence regarding the efficacy and side effect profile of brimonidine as well as its role in glaucoma management. Results/conclusion: Brimonidine is an important component of topical glaucoma treatment that is most limited by local ocular intolerance.

Keywords::

• α-adrenergic agonists
• α₂-adrenergic agonists
• Alphagan^®
• Alphagan^® P
• brimonidine
• brimonidine purite
• brimonidine tartrate
• 5-bromo-6-(2-imidazolidinylideneamino) quinoxaline l-tartrate
• Combigan^®
• fixed-combination
• glaucoma
• ocular hypertension