Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Apo Brimonidine (Brimonidine-ophthalmic).
Contact lenses: People who wear contact lenses should remove the lenses before using the eye drops and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting them.
Depression: If you have clinical depression or a history of depression, discuss with your doctor how Apo Brimonidine (Brimonidine-ophthalmic) may affect your medical condition and whether any special monitoring is needed. You may need to visit your doctor more often to ensure that Apo Brimonidine (Brimonidine-ophthalmic) is not making your condition worse.
Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Brimonidine may cause temporary fatigue and drowsiness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or engage in any potentially hazardous activities until you determine how Apo Brimonidine (Brimonidine-ophthalmic) affects you.
Kidney function: The use of brimonidine eye drops by people with Kidney Disease has not been studied. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how Apo Brimonidine (Brimonidine-ophthalmic) may affect your medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Apo Brimonidine (Brimonidine-ophthalmic), and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Liver function: The use of brimonidine eye drops by people with liver disease has not been studied. If you have reduced liver function or liver disease, discuss with your doctor how Apo Brimonidine (Brimonidine-ophthalmic) may affect your medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Apo Brimonidine (Brimonidine-ophthalmic), and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Orthostatic hypotension: Orthostatic hypotension, also known as postural hypotension, is a drop in blood pressure when getting up from a lying position. This may happen to people using brimonidine eye drops. If you experience this, rise slowly from a lying or sitting position when using brimonidine.
Raynaud's disease: Raynaud's disease is a disorder of the small blood vessels that feed the skin. If you have Raynaud's disease, discuss with your doctor how Apo Brimonidine (Brimonidine-ophthalmic) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Apo Brimonidine (Brimonidine-ophthalmic), and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Severe cardiovascular (heart) disease: Although brimonidine typically has little effect on blood pressure and heart rate, it may lower blood pressure and heart rate (pulse) if you have severe heart disease. If you have severe heart disease, discuss with your doctor how Apo Brimonidine (Brimonidine-ophthalmic) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Apo Brimonidine (Brimonidine-ophthalmic), and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Thromboangiitis obliterans: Thromboangiitis obliterans is a condition causing inflammation of small- and medium-sized arteries and veins. If you have thromboangiitis obliterans, discuss with your doctor how Apo Brimonidine (Brimonidine-ophthalmic) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Apo Brimonidine (Brimonidine-ophthalmic), and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Pregnancy: Apo Brimonidine (Brimonidine-ophthalmic) should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while using Apo Brimonidine (Brimonidine-ophthalmic), contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if brimonidine passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Apo Brimonidine (Brimonidine-ophthalmic), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: Apo Brimonidine (Brimonidine-ophthalmic) is not recommended for children, as serious side effects have been reported in people less than 18 years of age. Do not use Apo Brimonidine (Brimonidine-ophthalmic) for children less than 2 years old.