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| Pronunciation | /brɪˈmoʊnɪdiːn/bri-MOH-nid-een |
| Trade names | Alphagan, Mirvaso, Lumify, others |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| MedlinePlus | a601232 |
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| Routes of administration | Topical |
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| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Metabolism | Primarilyliver |
| Eliminationhalf-life | 3 hours (ocular), 12 hours (topical) |
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.149.042 |
| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | C11H10BrN5 |
| Molar mass | 292.140 g·mol−1 |
| 3D model (JSmol) | |
| Melting point | 252 °C (486 °F) |
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Brimonidine is anα2 agonistmedication used to treatopen-angle glaucoma,ocular hypertension, androsacea.[5][6] In rosacea it improves the redness.[6] It is used aseye drops or applied to the skin.[5][6] It is also available in thefixed-dose combination medicationbrimonidine/timolol along withtimolol maleate.[7]
Common side effects when used in the eyes include itchiness, redness, and a dry mouth.[5] Common side effects when used on the skin include redness, burning, and headaches.[6] More significant side effects may includeallergic reactions andlow blood pressure.[6][5] Use inpregnancy appears to be safe.[6][5] When applied to the eye it works by decreasing the amount ofaqueous humor made while increasing the amount that drains from the eye.[5] When applied to the skin it works by causing blood vessels to contract.[6]
Brimonidine was patented in 1972 and came into medical use in 1996.[8] It is available as ageneric medication.[9][10] In 2023, it was the 213th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 2 million prescriptions.[11][12]
Brimonidine isindicated for the lowering ofintraocular pressure in people with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.[2] It is also used to reduce redness of the eye.[4] The gel is indicated for the topical treatment of persistent (nontransient) facial erythema of rosacea in adults 18 years of age or older.[3]
A 2017Cochrane review found insufficient evidence to determine if brimonidine slows optic nerve damage.[13]
Brimonidine is anα2adrenergic agonist.[5]
Peripheral α2 agonist activity results in vasoconstriction of blood vessels (as opposed to central α2 agonist activity that decreases sympathetic tone, as can be seen by the medicationclonidine). This vasoconstriction may explain the acute reduction in aqueous humor flow. The increased uveoscleral outflow from prolonged use may be explained by increased prostaglandin release due to α adrenergic stimulation. This may lead to relaxed ciliary muscle and increased uveoscleral outflow.[14]
It is sold under the brand names Alphagan, Alphagan-P, Mirvaso, Lumify, Brymont, and others.
