brimonidine tartrate at a glance
Medicine class
Selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist
Eye-drop role
Lowers raised pressure in open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension
Gel role
Temporarily reduces facial redness from rosacea in adults
Important gel warning
Stop and seek medical advice if rosacea redness or burning worsens
What is brimonidine tartrate used for?
Uses differ by formulation.
Eye drops reduce raised intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
Facial gel reduces facial redness associated with rosacea in adults.
How does brimonidine tartrate work?
In the eye, brimonidine reduces aqueous-humour production and increases drainage, lowering pressure. On facial skin, it constricts small superficial blood vessels, temporarily reducing visible redness.
brimonidine tartrate preparations and strengths
Gel
Route: Cutaneous
Strengths: 3 mg/g
Eye drops
Route: Ophthalmic
Strengths: 2 mg/mL, 0.2% w/v
How to take brimonidine tartrate
Use only the formulation prescribed for you.
Eye drops: wash your hands, pull down the lower eyelid and apply without touching the bottle tip to the eye, eyelashes or skin. Close the eye and gently press its inner corner afterwards.
Remove soft contact lenses before preserved drops and wait at least 15 minutes before replacing them.
Gel: apply a thin, even layer only to intact facial skin. Avoid the eyes, eyelids, lips, mouth and inside of the nose, then wash your hands.
Let the gel dry before applying other facial treatments or cosmetics. Do not apply it to irritated or damaged skin, including recently laser-treated skin.
brimonidine tartrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Eye drops: eye redness, burning or stinging, itching, blurred vision, dry mouth, headache, tiredness or drowsiness.
- Gel: facial redness, flushing, itching or burning; headache, dizziness, dry mouth and skin irritation can also occur.
Get urgent medical advice
- Seek urgent help for breathing difficulty, facial or throat swelling, collapse or another severe allergic reaction.
- Seek prompt assessment for fainting, a markedly slow or irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness or symptoms of low blood pressure.
- Stop the gel and contact the prescriber if redness, flushing or burning becomes substantially worse.
- Contact the eye specialist if persistent redness, swelling, itching or pain suggests ocular allergy or inflammation.
brimonidine tartrate in pregnancy
Human pregnancy information is limited. Eye drops may be considered only when the expected maternal benefit outweighs potential fetal risk; the gel should be avoided as a precaution. Discuss pregnancy or plans for pregnancy with the prescriber.
brimonidine tartrate while breastfeeding
The selected UK product information states that the eye drops and facial gel should not be used while breastfeeding because transfer into human milk is unknown and risk to the infant cannot be excluded. Ask a prescriber or specialist to review alternatives.
brimonidine tartrate interactions
Tell the prescriber about all medicines, including eye drops, skin treatments and non-prescription products.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Concomitant use is contraindicated because noradrenergic effects may be altered or increased.
Tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants and mianserin
Medicines affecting noradrenergic transmission are contraindicated with the selected products.
Common questions about brimonidine tartrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Are the eye drops and gel interchangeable?
No. They have different concentrations, excipients, uses and application sites. Never put facial gel in the eyes or use eye drops on the face as rosacea treatment.
Why press the inner eye corner after using the drops?
This reduces drainage into the nose and bloodstream and may reduce systemic side effects.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.