Alphagan Eye drop

Alphagan Eye Drop is a 5 mL bottle of brimonidine tartrate 0.2% (2 mg per mL) eye drops for open-angle glaucoma and high eye pressure (ocular hypertension). The pack we sell is the Indian Alphagan. PharmEasy lists it under Allergan India Pvt Ltd, Apollo Pharmacy names Allergan Healthcare India Pvt Ltd, and Truemeds names AbbVie Therapeutics India Private Limited. We sell it in packs of 3, 6 or 12 bottles, from $11.46 a bottle in the 12 bottle pack, before shipping. If you are in the US, generic brimonidine 0.2% costs US pharmacies far less than this (see the price comparison below).

Brimonidine lowers eye pressure, but glaucoma treatment is not something to run on your own. Raised pressure damages the optic nerve and the field of vision, the effect of a drop can fade over time, and only an eye doctor measuring your pressure can tell whether a drop is working. Use Alphagan only as part of care from an eye doctor, with regular pressure checks. Clinical details on this page come from the UK label for Alphagan 0.2% (the main source for this strength), the US label for generic brimonidine 0.2% and the Australian Alphagan P label, all listed under Sources.

Alphagan 0.2% at a glance

Price per bottle

Prices as of October 2026; the pack selector shows the current price. None of the packs reaches the $149 free shipping level on its own (the 12 bottle pack is $137.50), so each includes the $25 shipping charge below unless you add other items.

How long a pack lasts depends on your schedule and on the opened-bottle rule. The UK label says to use a bottle within 28 days of first opening; the US generic label gives no opened-bottle period, and the Indian listings we checked give none either, so read the Indian carton. If you open one bottle every 28 days, a 3 bottle pack covers about 12 weeks, a 6 bottle pack about 24 weeks and a 12 bottle pack about 48 weeks (our estimate). Check the expiry date on the cartons before you buy a large pack.

Compared with brimonidine in the US

The Alphagan 0.2% brand is discontinued in the US. Drugs@FDA records a Federal Register determination that it was not discontinued or withdrawn for safety or effectiveness reasons. Generic brimonidine 0.2% drops from several makers are FDA approved, and AbbVie still sells Alphagan P (0.1% and 0.15%). The figures below are what US pharmacies paid according to the Medicaid NADAC survey, per-NDC rows effective 21 October 2026. They are pharmacy acquisition costs, not the price at the counter.

Plainly: US generic brimonidine 0.2% is far cheaper than ours. A US pharmacy pays about $4.43 for a 5 mL bottle, while ours costs about 2.6 to 2.7 times that before shipping and $13.54 or more a bottle with shipping. If you are in the US and have a prescription, compare US generic cash prices and your insurance cover before ordering from abroad. In Australia, brimonidine 0.2% 5 mL is on the PBS (item 5534G) with a dispensed price of A$22.29 for Enidin and A$23.24 for Alphagan, so Australian patients with a prescription should compare their PBS cost too.

Which strength to choose

Brimonidine glaucoma eye drops come in three strengths. The choice belongs to your eye doctor, who will weigh pressure control against side effects.

Our Alphagan P Eye Drop is the Indian 0.15% product. It costs $13.33 to $18 a bottle before shipping, a little more than this 0.2% drop. A doctor may still choose Alphagan P because it caused fewer allergic eye reactions and less dry mouth in the trials. Do not swap between the two strengths without asking your eye doctor. If you need brimonidine and a beta blocker together, Combigan Eye Drop combines brimonidine 0.2% with timolol in one bottle.

How to use Alphagan

1. Wash your hands. Tilt your head back, pull the lower lid down gently and put one drop into the pocket.
2. Do not let the bottle tip touch your eye, lids, fingers or any surface. The US label warns that contaminated eye drop bottles have caused bacterial eye infections, and that "serious damage to the eye and subsequent loss of vision may result from using contaminated solutions."
3. Straight after the drop, press on the inner corner of the eye (the tear duct) for one minute. The UK label recommends this to reduce how much reaches the bloodstream (4.2).
4. Use it on the schedule your eye doctor sets. The UK label dose is one drop twice daily, about 12 hours apart. The US generic label gives three times daily, about 8 hours apart, and explains that its comparison studies used twice daily dosing but recommends three times daily because of how long the effect lasts (US label 2 and 14).
5. If you use other eye drops, leave 5 to 15 minutes between them (UK label 4.2); the US label says at least 5 minutes.
6. Replace the cap after each use. Do not use the drops if the solution changes colour or becomes cloudy, or after the expiry date (US label 17). The solution is normally clear and greenish yellow.
7. Throw the bottle away 28 days after first opening (UK label 6.3), unless the Indian carton gives a different rule.

Contact lenses. Alphagan 0.2% contains benzalkonium chloride. The UK label says to remove lenses before the drop and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back, that benzalkonium chloride is known to discolour soft contact lenses, and that patients should avoid contact with soft contact lenses (4.4). The US generic label gives the same 15 minute wait (5.4 and 17). The Apollo Pharmacy and Truemeds listings for the Indian pack give the same advice.

Keep using it and keep your checks. The US label says the pressure-lowering effect "diminishes over time in some patients", that the loss of effect appears at a different time in each patient, and that it "should be closely monitored" (US label 1). In its comparison studies, 8% of patients stopped because their pressure was not controlled well enough, and about 20% stopped because of adverse effects (US label 14). Do not stop or change your drops without your eye doctor, and if you have eye surgery or develop an eye injury or infection, ask your doctor straight away whether to keep using the same bottle (US label 17).

Groups who need extra care

• Heart and circulation. The UK label says Alphagan "should be used with caution" in people with depression, cerebral or coronary insufficiency, Raynaud's phenomenon, orthostatic hypotension (dizziness on standing) or thromboangiitis obliterans, and that caution is needed in severe or unstable and uncontrolled cardiovascular disease (4.4). The US label adds that brimonidine "may potentiate syndromes associated with vascular insufficiency" (5.1).
• Children aged 2 to 12. The UK label says Alphagan "is not recommended for use in children below 12 years" and that its safety and efficacy have not been established at 2 to 12 years (4.2). Children 2 years and above, especially those aged 2 to 7 or weighing 20 kg or less, "should be treated with caution and closely monitored" because of the high rate and severity of drowsiness (4.4). In a 3-month study in the UK label of children aged 2 to 7, somnolence affected 55%, was severe in 8% and led 13% to stop; it affected 63% of children weighing 20 kg or less and 25% of those above 20 kg (4.8). In a study described in the US label, somnolence affected 50% to 83% of children aged 2 to 6 and about 25% of 7 year olds (above 20 kg), and about 16% stopped because of it (US label 8.4).
• Liver or kidney problems. Not studied; the UK label advises caution (4.2, 4.4).
• Dry eye or a damaged corneal surface. The UK label says benzalkonium chloride may cause eye irritation and dry eye symptoms and may affect the tear film and corneal surface; use with caution, with monitoring in prolonged use (4.4).
• Pregnancy. Safety in human pregnancy has not been established. The UK label says use it in pregnancy "only if the potential benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the foetus" (4.6); the US label says "justifies" the risk (8.1).
• Breastfeeding. The UK label says Alphagan "should not be used by women nursing infants" (4.6). The US generic label says a decision should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the drug, because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants (8.3).
• Driving and machines. The UK label says Alphagan may cause fatigue or drowsiness, and blurred or abnormal vision, especially at night or in poor light. Wait until these clear before driving or using machinery (4.7).
• Older adults. No dose change is needed (UK label 4.2).

Medicines to mention to your doctor:

• Alcohol and other sedating medicines (barbiturates, opiates, sedatives, anaesthetics): the labels say the possibility of an "additive or potentiating effect" should be considered (UK 4.5; US 7.2).
• Blood pressure medicines and cardiac glycosides: caution, because brimonidine may lower blood pressure (UK 4.5; US 7.1).
• Chlorpromazine, methylphenidate and reserpine: caution (UK 4.5), because they can affect the breakdown and uptake of circulating amines.
• Medicines that act on adrenergic receptors (for example isoprenaline or prazosin): caution when starting one or changing its dose (UK 4.5).
• Tricyclic antidepressants, mianserin and MAO inhibitors: see the next section.

Side effects

The UK label says the most commonly reported adverse reactions are dry mouth, red eyes (ocular hyperaemia) and burning or stinging, each in 25.9% to 31.2% of patients. They are usually short-lived and not often severe enough to stop treatment (4.8). Other very common reactions (more than 1 in 10) in the UK label are headache, blurred vision, a feeling of something in the eye, small bumps on the inner lid (conjunctival folliculosis), itching, eye allergy and tiredness or drowsiness. The US generic label lists a similar group at about 10% to 30% (6.1).

Eye allergy is the reaction to watch for. In the UK label's trials, allergic eye reactions occurred in 12.7% of patients and caused 11.5% to stop, and in most patients they began between 3 and 9 months into treatment (4.8). Delayed eye allergy has also been reported, sometimes with a rise in eye pressure (4.4). So a red, itchy eye months after starting can still be the drop.

The Australian label for Alphagan P 0.15% (not the Alphagan 0.2% label) gives pooled rates from two 12-month trials in which Alphagan 0.2% was compared with Alphagan P 0.15%, both used three times daily (the US schedule; the UK twice daily dose was not used in these trials):

Source: Australian Product Information for Alphagan P 1.5 (brimonidine 0.15%), AbbVie, section 5.1 (pooled data from two 12-month trials, three times daily dosing).

Reports since approval include inflammation inside the eye (iritis, iridocyclitis), small pupils, slow or fast heartbeat, low blood pressure, fainting, depression, and skin reactions such as redness, facial swelling, itching and rash (UK label 4.8; the US label 6.2 lists a similar set without iridocyclitis, fainting, depression or facial swelling).

When to get urgent help

• A baby or young child gets the drops or swallows them. Call emergency services or poison control straight away (911 in the US and Canada, 999 in the UK, 000 in Australia; US Poison Help 1-800-222-1222; Australian Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26). The UK label reports children who swallowed Alphagan with coma or low consciousness, floppiness, slow heartbeat, low body temperature, pallor, slowed breathing and apnoea (stopped breathing), who needed intensive care (4.9). Keep the bottle out of children's reach.
• An adult swallows the drops. Get medical advice. Low blood pressure is the only reaction reported in adults so far, and the UK label adds that it was followed by a rebound rise in blood pressure (UK 4.9; US 10).
• Eye pain, a change in vision, or signs of eye infection (increasing redness, discharge, swelling) or an eye injury: contact your eye doctor the same day. Contaminated drops can cause serious eye infection and loss of vision (US label 5.3 and 17).
• Signs of eye allergy (red, itchy, swollen eyes or lids that keep getting worse): contact your eye doctor promptly. The UK label says treatment should be stopped if allergic reactions are seen (4.4), but your doctor needs to arrange another drop so your pressure stays controlled.
• Fainting, a very slow heartbeat or severe dizziness: get medical help.
• Allergy signs beyond the eye (swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing or swallowing, widespread rash or hives): call emergency services. Hypersensitivity and facial swelling are listed in the post-marketing reports (UK label 4.8).

Tell emergency staff what was used or swallowed (brimonidine eye drops), how much and when.

Who should not use Alphagan

Never use it if:

• You have had an allergic reaction to brimonidine or any ingredient of the drops, including the preservative (contraindicated, UK label 4.3; US label 4.2).
• It is for a newborn, a baby or a child under 2 years (contraindicated, UK label 4.3; US label 4.1).
• You are on MAO inhibitor (MAOI) therapy, whatever it is for. The UK label makes this a contraindication (4.3). The US generic label calls it a caution, because MAO inhibitors "may theoretically interfere" with brimonidine breakdown and increase effects such as low blood pressure (7.4).
• You take an antidepressant that affects noradrenergic transmission, such as a tricyclic antidepressant or mianserin. The UK label makes this a contraindication (4.3); the US generic label advises caution with tricyclics (7.3).

Not recommended, or only with your doctor's agreement:

• Children under 12: "not recommended" (UK label 4.2), and only under close monitoring from age 2 (UK label 4.4).
• Breastfeeding: "should not be used by women nursing infants" (UK label 4.6).
• Severe or unstable heart disease, depression, poor blood flow to the brain or heart, Raynaud's phenomenon, orthostatic hypotension or thromboangiitis obliterans: use with caution (UK label 4.4).
• Dry eye or a damaged corneal surface: use with caution (UK label 4.4).

Prescription and legal status

Brimonidine glaucoma eye drops (0.1% to 0.2%) are prescription medicines in the US ("Rx only" on the generic 0.2% label), the UK (Alphagan 0.2% is a prescription only medicine on the emc), Australia (Alphagan is Schedule 4, Prescription Only Medicine) and Canada (Alphagan, DIN 02236876, prescription). The Apollo Pharmacy and Truemeds listings also mark the Indian Alphagan as a prescription drug. Brimonidine 0.2% is licensed in all four countries, but the Indian pack we sell is not registered with the FDA, MHRA, TGA or Health Canada, and the FDA says personal importation of unapproved medicines is illegal in most circumstances. Check the rules where you live, and keep your eye doctor informed of every drop you use.

Buying genuine Alphagan

The MHRA warns: "Any medicine not authorised for sale in the UK can be unsafe or ineffective and there is no way of knowing what is in them or the negative health effects they can have." That warning covers this Indian pack. The MHRA also advises: "Only use UK-registered pharmacies, including online pharmacies displaying the official green cross logo." When your order arrives, check that the carton and bottle say Alphagan and brimonidine tartrate 0.2%, name Allergan or AbbVie (Indian listings name both), and show a batch number and an expiry date, that the seal is intact, and that the solution is clear and greenish yellow. These checks cannot prove a bottle is genuine, because counterfeiters copy packaging. Keep your pressure checks: if your eye doctor finds your pressure is higher than before on the same drop, tell them where the bottle came from. If a batch causes symptoms, seek medical advice and report it to your medicines regulator (the MHRA Yellow Card scheme in the UK, FDA MedWatch in the US, the TGA in Australia or Health Canada) as well as to us.

Delivery

We ship Alphagan to the US, UK, Australia and Canada in plain packaging with tracking. Standard delivery takes 7 to 14 business days, so order well before your current bottle runs out; glaucoma drops should not be missed while you wait. Shipping costs a flat $25 on orders under $149 and is free from $149. None of the labels or listings we checked asks for refrigeration. Store the bottle as the carton says: the UK label says do not store above 25°C and the US generic label gives 15°C to 25°C, while the Indian listings differ (Apollo Pharmacy 15°C to 25°C, PharmEasy below 25°C, Truemeds below 30°C). See our shipping page and refund policy.

Related guides

• Glaucoma eye drops: every type explained
• Latanoprost eye drops: dosage, side effects and buying online
• Lumigan eye drops for glaucoma
• How to buy eye care medicine online safely

Other glaucoma drops: Alphagan P 0.15% (brimonidine), Dorzox Eye Drop (dorzolamide), Azopt Eye Drop (brinzolamide), Latoprost Eye Drop (latanoprost) and Lumigan 0.01% (bimatoprost). See also our glaucoma treatment overview.

Sources

• Alphagan 0.2% w/v (2 mg/ml) eye drops, solution, UK Summary of Product Characteristics, AbbVie Ltd, PL 41042/0052, revised 8 December 2025, sections 2, 3, 4.1 to 4.9, 5.1, 6.1, 6.3 and 6.4. emc
• Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.2%, US prescribing information, Sandoz Inc. (manufactured by Alcon Laboratories), ANDA 076254, DailyMed setid dfd85672-fa4b-40e3-ac9c-81b8d9e4ffde, version 7, effective 30 May 2025, sections 1 to 8, 10 to 12, 14, 16 and 17. DailyMed
• Alphagan P (brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution) 0.1% and 0.15%, US prescribing information, Allergan/AbbVie, DailyMed setid 264c4494-c225-486f-888a-caaf36be46b3, version 25, effective 18 September 2025, section 14. DailyMed
• Alphagan P 1.5 (brimonidine tartrate) eye drops, Australian Product Information, AbbVie Pty Ltd, revised 19 September 2023, section 5.1. TGA ARTG 158888
• US Food and Drug Administration, Drugs@FDA: Alphagan 0.2% (NDA 020613, discontinued; Federal Register determination that it was not discontinued or withdrawn for safety or effectiveness reasons) and generic brimonidine tartrate 0.2% (for example ANDA 076254, Sandoz), checked 21 October 2026. Drugs@FDA
• Health Canada Drug Product Database: Alphagan (DIN 02236876, brimonidine tartrate 0.2%, prescription, marketed). Health Canada DPD
• Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, Medicine Finder: Alphagan eye drops (brimonidine tartrate 2.0 mg per mL, S4), accessed 21 October 2026. ACSQHC
• Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, item 5534G, brimonidine tartrate 0.2% eye drops 5 mL (Enidin, Alphagan), accessed 21 October 2026. PBS
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), brimonidine and Alphagan P eye drops, per-NDC rows, 2026 file as of 21 October 2026 (rates effective 21 October 2026). data.medicaid.gov
• Apollo Pharmacy, PharmEasy and Truemeds. Alphagan Eye Drops 5ml listings, accessed October 2026. PharmEasy, Truemeds, Apollo Pharmacy
• MHRA. 20 million illegal erectile dysfunction pills seized as MHRA warns against risky online buys, 13 February 2026. GOV.UK
• US Food and Drug Administration. Personal Importation. FDA

This page is for information and is not medical advice. Brimonidine is a prescription medicine; your eye doctor should set your treatment and check your eye pressure.