Alphagan P Essays -- Drugs, Treating Glaucoma

There has been a new step in science leading towards evolution. Alphagan P has been recognized as the next leading pharmaceutical in treating Glaucoma. It is gentle to the ocular surface, unlike other medications which can harm it. Alphagan P provides IOP lowering which is comparable to beta blocker, but is without the adverse affects that most other medications cause. It is an alpha-2 agonist, which is a class of drugs that bind to and stimulate alpha-2 adrenergic receptors, causing responses comparable to those of adrenaline and noradrenaline. Alphagan was first introduced in 1996. The latest generation of â€Å"adrenergic agonist† is thrity times more selective for alpha 2 receptors than apraclonidine. Because of its selectivity, it does not include the alpha 1 side effects that affect the heart and blood pressure. The most significant side effects are drowsiness, a dry mouth, and fatigue. There is also surface irritation, with about â€Å"7 to 15 percent of patients experiencing allergic conjunctivitis. Alphagan has stayed popular since it first came out despite its side effects. What should you know about Alphagan P before using it? Make sure to not use brimonidine ophthalmic (Alphagan P) if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 2 weeks. Inform your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, heart disease, circulation problems such as Raynaud's or Buerger's disease, high blood pressure, have a history of fainting or low blood pressure. Make sure to not use the medication if you use contact lenses because the medication contains a preservative that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. If ... ...wing through with their education. Studies are now being done to further investigate this occurrence. Although Alphagan P has a list of adverse reactions reported, it is still the most used medication used to treat patients with Glaucoma. Many clinical studies have been done on the drug since it came out in 1996, and further enhancements have been made since. Works Cited Osborne, S., Montgomery, D., Morris, D., & McKay, I. (2005). Alphagan allergy may increase the propensity for multiple eye-drop allergy. Eye, 19(2), 129-137. doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6701441 Bowman, R. C., Cope, J. J., & Nischal, K. K. (2004). Ocular and systemic side effects of brimonidine 0.2% eye drops (Alphagan ®) in children. Eye, 18(1), 24-26. doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6700520 ALPHAGAN P: THE NEXT STEP IN THE EVOLUTION OF GLAUCOMA THERAPY. (2003). Review of Ophthalmology, 10(9), 8.