apraclonidine hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonist glaucoma treatment
How it is given
Eye drops for ocular use only
Contact lenses
Remove soft lenses before use and wait before reinserting them because the drops contain benzalkonium chloride.
Ongoing review
The pressure-lowering effect commonly diminishes over time, so eye-pressure follow-up is important.
What is apraclonidine hydrochloride used for?
The selected product has one main UK-licensed role:
Add-on treatment for chronic glaucoma in people already receiving the most they can tolerate of other treatments, where further lowering of intraocular pressure is needed to delay laser treatment or glaucoma surgery.
How does apraclonidine hydrochloride work?
Apraclonidine stimulates alpha-2 adrenergic receptors in the eye. This reduces production of aqueous humour, the fluid inside the front of the eye, and thereby lowers intraocular pressure. Only small amounts usually reach the bloodstream after ocular use, although cardiovascular and nervous-system effects remain possible.
apraclonidine hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Eye drops
Route: Ophthalmic
Strengths: 5 mg/mL, 0.5% w/v, 1% w/v
How to take apraclonidine hydrochloride
Use only in the prescribed eye or eyes. Wash your hands, pull down the lower eyelid and instil the drops without touching the nozzle to the eye, eyelid or another surface. Close the eye gently and press the inner corner beside the nose to reduce absorption into the bloodstream. Replace the cap promptly; when other eye preparations are also used, separate their administration and apply ointments last.
Remove soft contact lenses before application and follow the product instructions before reinserting them.
If an application clearly misses the eye, follow the leaflet instructions.
Do not swallow the solution or share the bottle.
apraclonidine hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Eye redness, itching or conjunctivitis
- Eyelid swelling, watering, discomfort or a gritty sensation
- Dry eyes or crusting around the eyelids
- Headache or altered taste
- Dry mouth or nose
- Weakness or skin irritation
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergy, including facial or throat swelling and breathing difficulty
- Chest pain, abnormal heartbeat, faintness or pronounced dizziness
- Breathing difficulty or worsening asthma symptoms
- Sudden reduction in vision or severe eye pain
- A persistent intolerance reaction with increasing redness, itching, swelling or discharge
apraclonidine hydrochloride in pregnancy
The selected product is not recommended during pregnancy because specific human evidence is limited. Glaucoma treatment should not be stopped without advice because uncontrolled eye pressure can threaten sight; anyone pregnant or planning pregnancy should ask their eye specialist to review the most suitable treatment.
apraclonidine hydrochloride while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether ocular apraclonidine passes into human milk, and a risk to a breastfed infant cannot be excluded. The product information advises stopping breastfeeding during treatment, so specialist or prescriber advice is required.
apraclonidine hydrochloride interactions
Tell the prescriber about eye drops, prescription medicines, non-prescription products and alcohol. Important interactions include:
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Concurrent use is contraindicated because of potentially significant adrenergic effects.
Tricyclic antidepressants
Concurrent use is contraindicated because these medicines can alter the handling of circulating amines.
Systemic sympathomimetics
Concurrent use is contraindicated because blood-pressure effects may be increased.
Common questions about apraclonidine hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is apraclonidine hydrochloride used for?
It is used as an additional eye-pressure-lowering treatment for chronic glaucoma when other tolerated treatments are insufficient and laser treatment or surgery needs to be delayed.
How does apraclonidine hydrochloride lower eye pressure?
It activates alpha-2 receptors and reduces production of aqueous humour inside the eye.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.