This article describes possible interactions with brimonidine eye drops. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
To find coupon options for brimonidine and to learn more about the drug, including its uses, see this article.
Brimonidine comes as an eye drop. It’s also available as a gel that’s applied to the face. Interactions of brimonidine may vary depending on the form of brimonidine you’re prescribed.
Other drugs and brimonidine
Drugs that may interact with brimonidine eye drops are listed below. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with brimonidine.
Drugs that may interact with brimonidine eye drops include:
- drugs for treating high blood pressure:
- drug examples: lisinopril (Zestril), valsartan (Diovan)
- what might happen: can increase the effect of blood pressure drugs
- opioids:
- drug examples: fentanyl (Fentora, others), oxycodone (Oxaydo, others)
- what might happen: can raise the risk of side effects from opioids
- benzodiazepines:
- drug examples: alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects from benzodiazepines
- tricyclic antidepressants:
- drug examples: amitriptyline, nortriptyline (Pamelor)
- what might happen: can make brimonidine less effective
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors:
- drug examples: selegiline (Emsam), linezolid (Zyvox)
- what might happen: can raise the risk of side effects from brimonidine
- digoxin (Lanoxin):
- what might happen: can increase the effect of digoxin
When to avoid brimonidine
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with brimonidine eye drops. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe brimonidine in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a list of contraindications for brimonidine eye drops:
- Children ages 2 years and younger. Since brimonidine became approved for use, serious side effects have been reported in infants who were given brimonidine. These side effects were rare. However, doctors still won’t prescribe brimonidine to children ages 2 years and younger due to this risk.
- Past allergic reaction to brimonidine. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to brimonidine eye drops in the past, using brimonidine eye drops may cause another allergic reaction.
Before starting treatment with brimonidine, tell your doctor if anything listed above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should use brimonidine.
Alcohol and brimonidine
Brimonidine eye drops are known to interact with alcohol.
Using brimonidine eye drops and drinking alcohol may cause:
- confusion
- problems with memory
- problems with coordination
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with brimonidine eye drops.
Other interactions and brimonidine
Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether brimonidine eye drops have these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with brimonidine.
Brimonidine and supplements
Before using brimonidine eye drops, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid possible interactions.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Brimonidine interactions with herbs
Brimonidine eye drops aren’t known to interact with any herbs. But this doesn’t mean interactions with herbs can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during treatment with brimonidine eye drops.
Brimonidine interactions with vitamins
Brimonidine eye drops aren’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during treatment with brimonidine eye drops.
Brimonidine and food
Brimonidine eye drops aren’t known to interact with foods. But this doesn’t mean interactions with foods can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid during treatment with brimonidine eye drops.
Brimonidine and vaccines
Brimonidine eye drops aren’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines during treatment with brimonidine eye drops.
Brimonidine and lab tests
Brimonidine eye drops aren’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests during treatment with brimonidine eye drops.
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Get free cardBrimonidine and cannabis or CBD
Brimonidine eye drops aren’t known to interact with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But this doesn’t mean interactions can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
As with any drug or supplement, tell your doctor before taking cannabis with brimonidine.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Health factors and brimonidine
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with brimonidine eye drops. Before using brimonidine, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether brimonidine is right for you.
Here’s a list of health conditions or other factors that might interact with brimonidine eye drops:
- depression
- conditions that affect blood flow, such as coronary artery disease or Raynaud’s phenomenon
- heart conditions, such as heart failure
- orthostatic hypotension
- pregnancy or breastfeeding
- past allergic reaction to brimonidine
Preventing brimonidine interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with brimonidine eye drops. Before using this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Other medications you take, as well as any vitamins, supplements, and herbs. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug during your brimonidine eye drops treatment.
Using brimonidine exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about brimonidine and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- Are brimonidine’s interactions similar to other eye drops that can treat my condition?
- Is it safe to use other eye drops while I’m using brimonidine?
- If I wear contact lenses, is it safe for me to use brimonidine?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.