J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  1999 Mar;40(3):765-771.

Short-term Effect of 0.2% Brimonidine(Alphagan) in Normal Koreans

• Lee YS
• Seong GJ

Abstract

Brimonidine(Alphagan)is a relatively selective-adrenoceptor agonist that activates receptor in the ciliary body, which lowers intraoculat pressure by decreasing aqueous production and increasing uveoscleral outflow. We investigated the short-term intraocular pressure lowering effect and side effect of 0.2% brimonidine in 8 eyes in 8 normal volunteers. Brimonidine was administered every 8 hours for 7 days. The intraocular pressure, pupil size, pulsatile ocular blood flow of both eyes, blood pressure, and pulse rate were obtained 2, 4 and 8 hours, and 1 and 7 days after instillation. The mean intraocular pressure was lowered in both eyes. The blood pressure, pulse rate, and pupil size were not changed before and after the instillation. The pulsatile ocular blood flow was not changed either, The only side effect which patients complanined of was nasal stuffiness in two of the patients. We concluded that 0.2% brimonidine is a good ocular hypotensive drug that has an intraocular pressure lowering effect in normal Koreans and also has few side effects.

Keyword

0.2% brimonidine; Intraocular pressure; Pulsatile ocula blood folw; Side effect

MeSH Terms

Blood Pressure
Ciliary Body
Healthy Volunteers
Heart Rate
Humans
Intraocular Pressure
Pupil
Brimonidine Tartrate