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ALPHAGAN P

brimonidine tartrate · Solution/ Drops

Prescription NDA TE AB RLD Official labelling
Informational index, not medical advice. Content is reproduced from public FDA and NLM data. Always confirm against the manufacturer's current prescribing information. Report adverse events to FDA MedWatch.

Overview

Brand name
ALPHAGAN P
Generic name
brimonidine tartrate
Dosage form
Solution/ Drops
Route
Ophthalmic
Marketing category
NDA · NDA
Labeler
Allergan, Inc.
Product type
Human Prescription Drug
DEA schedule
Not scheduled
Active ingredients
2
NDC product codes
2
Packages
7
Data completeness
76% of corroborating sources present

Active ingredients

Source: NDC Directory
Active ingredients and strengths as listed in the NDC Directory.
Ingredient Strength RxCUI Monograph
Brimonidine Tartrate 1 mg/mL 2736933 View
Brimonidine Tartrate 1.5 mg/mL 2736933 View

Forms, strengths and routes

Source: NDC Directory
Dosage form
Solution/ Drops
Route of administration
Ophthalmic
Presentations
9

Pharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.

Pharmacologic class

Source: NDC Directory
Established pharmacologic classes (EPC), mechanisms of action (MoA), chemical structures (CS) and physiologic effects (PE).
Class Type Browse
Adrenergic alpha-Agonists [MoA] MoA All 85 members
alpha-Adrenergic Agonist [EPC] EPC All 85 members

Regulatory status

Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory
Application number
021770
Application type
NDA · New Drug Application
Approval date
August 19, 2005
Sponsor
ABBVIE
Products on application
1
Submissions recorded
8
Products approved under application 021770.
Product Trade name Form Strength Ingredient Status TE Flags
021770-001 ALPHAGAN P SOLUTION/DROPS BRIMONIDINE TARTRATE Prescription AB RLD RS

Therapeutic equivalence

Source: Orange Book
TE code
AB
Reference Listed Drug
Yes
Reference Standard
Yes

What this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — bioequivalence demonstrated by in vivo or in vitro testing

Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.

Approval history

Source: Drugs@FDA
Most recent submissions on application 021770.
Type No. Action Status Date Review
Supplement 14 Labeling Approved September 18, 2025 Standard
Supplement 10 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved May 5, 2016 Standard
Supplement 8 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved March 12, 2014 Standard
Supplement 9 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved January 22, 2014 Standard
Supplement 7 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved June 5, 2013 Standard
Supplement 4 Labeling Approved August 13, 2010 Standard
Supplement 1 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved April 17, 2006 N/A
Original application 1 Type 3 - New Dosage Form Approved August 19, 2005 Standard

Review documents

  • 0 · Supplement · September 19, 2025
  • 0 · Supplement · September 19, 2025
  • 0 · Supplement · August 28, 2010
  • 0 · Supplement · August 16, 2010
  • 0 · Original application · June 4, 2007
  • 0 · Supplement · April 20, 2006
  • 0 · Original application · August 23, 2005
  • 0 · Original application · August 23, 2005

Prescribing information

Source: openFDA Drug Labeling

Reproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20250918). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.

HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20250918

Recent Major Changes

openFDA Drug Labeling

Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ) 9/2025

Indications and Usage

openFDA Drug Labeling

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE ALPHAGAN P (brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution) 0.1% or 0.15% is indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. ALPHAGAN P is an alpha adrenergic agonist indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. ( 1 )

Dosage and Administration

openFDA Drug Labeling

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended dosage is one drop of ALPHAGAN P in the affected eye(s) three times daily, approximately 8 hours apart. ALPHAGAN P may be used concomitantly with other topical ophthalmic drug products to lower intraocular pressure. If more than one topical ophthalmic product is to be used, the different products should be instilled at least 5 minutes apart. One drop in the affected eye(s) three times daily, approximately 8 hours apart. ( 2 )

Dosage Forms and Strengths

openFDA Drug Labeling

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Ophthalmic solution containing 0.1% (1 mg/mL) or 0.15% (1.5 mg/mL) brimonidine tartrate. Ophthalmic solution containing 0.1% (1 mg/mL) or 0.15% (1.5 mg/mL) brimonidine tartrate. ( 3 )

Contraindications

openFDA Drug Labeling

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Neonates and infants (pediatric patients younger than 2 years old). ( 4.1 ) Hypersensitivity Reactions. ( 4.2 ) 4.1 Neonates and Infants (Pediatric Patients Younger than 2 Years Old) ALPHAGAN P is contraindicated in neonates and infants (pediatric patients younger than 2 years old) [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 )]. 4.2 Hypersensitivity Reactions ALPHAGAN P is contraindicated in patients who have exhibited a hypersensitivity reaction to any component of this medication in the past.

Warnings and Cautions

openFDA Drug Labeling

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Potentiation of vascular insufficiency. ( 5.1 ) 5.1 Potentiation of Vascular Insufficiency ALPHAGAN P may potentiate syndromes associated with vascular insufficiency. ALPHAGAN P should be used with caution in patients with depression, cerebral or coronary insufficiency, Raynaud’s phenomenon, orthostatic hypotension, or thromboangiitis obliterans. 5.2 Severe Cardiovascular Disease Although brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution had minimal effect on the blood pressure of patients in clinical studies, caution should be exercised in treating patients with severe cardiovascular disease. 5.3 Contamination of Topical Ophthalmic Products After Use There have been reports of bacterial keratitis associated with the use of multiple-dose containers of topical ophthalmic products. These containers had been inadvertently contaminated by patients who, in most cases, had a concurrent corneal disease or a disruption of the ocular epithelial surface. Do not touch the tip of the dispensing container to the eye or surrounding structures. Serious damage to the eye and subsequent loss of vision may result from using contaminated solutions [ see P atient C ounseling I nformation ( 17 )] .

Adverse Reactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: Potentiation of Vascular Insufficiency [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) ] Severe Cardiovascular Disease [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ) ] Contamination of Topical Ophthalmic Products after Use [ see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 ) ] Neonates and Infants (Pediatric Patients Younger than 2 Years Old) [ see Contraindications ( 4.1 ) ] Most common adverse reactions occurring in approximately 5% to 20% of patients receiving brimonidine ophthalmic solution (0.1% to 0.2%) included allergic conjunctivitis, burning sensation, conjunctival folliculosis, conjunctival hyperemia, eye pruritus, hypertension, ocular allergic reaction, oral dryness, and visual disturbance. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact AbbVie at 1-800-678-1605 or the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adverse reactions occurring in approximately 10% to 20% of the subjects receiving brimonidine ophthalmic solution (0.1% to 0.2%) included: allergic conjunctivitis, conjunctival hyperemia, and eye pruritus. Adverse reactions occurring in approximately 5% to 9% included: burning sensation, conjunctival folliculosis, hypertension, ocular allergic reaction, oral dryness, and visual disturbance. Adverse reactions occurring in approximately 1% to 4% of the subjects receiving brimonidine ophthalmic solution (0.1% to 0.2%) included: abnormal taste, allergic reaction, asthenia, blepharitis, blepharoconjunctivitis, blurred vision, bronchitis, cataract, conjunctival edema, conjunctival hemorrhage, conjunctivitis, cough, dizziness, dyspepsia, dyspnea, epiphora, eye discharge, eye dryness, eye irritation, eye pain, eyelid edema, eyelid erythema, fatigue, flu syndrome, follicular conjunctivitis, foreign body sensation, gastrointestinal disorder, headache, hypercholesterolemia, hypotension, infection (primarily colds and respiratory infections), insomnia, keratitis, lid disorder, pharyngitis, photophobia, rash, rhinitis, sinus infection, sinusitis, somnolence, stinging, superficial punctate keratopathy, tearing, visual field defect, vitreous detachment, vitreous disorder, vitreous floaters, and worsened visual acuity. The following reactions were reported in less than 1% of subjects: corneal erosion, hordeolum, nasal dryness, and taste perversion. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following reactions have been identified during postapproval use of brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solutions. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Bradycardia, depression, hypersensitivity, iritis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, miosis, nausea, skin reactions (including erythema, eyelid pruritus, rash, and vasodilation), syncope, and tachycardia. Apnea, coma, hypotension, hypothermia, hypotonia, lethargy, pallor, respiratory depression, and somnolence have been reported in infants receiving brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solutions.

Drug Interactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Antihypertensives/cardiac glycosides may lower blood pressure. ( 7.1 ) Use with CNS depressants may result in an additive or potentiating effect. ( 7.2 ) Tricyclic antidepressants may potentially blunt the hypotensive effect of systemic clonidine. ( 7.3 ) Monoamine oxidase inhibitors may result in increased hypotension. ( 7.4 ) 7.1 Antihypertensives/Cardiac Glycosides Because ALPHAGAN P may reduce blood pressure, caution in using drugs such as antihypertensives and/or cardiac glycosides with ALPHAGAN P is advised. 7.2 CNS Depressants Although specific drug interaction studies have not been conducted with ALPHAGAN P, the possibility of an additive or potentiating effect with CNS depressants (alcohol, barbiturates, opiates, sedatives, or anesthetics) should be considered. 7.3 Tricyclic Antidepressants Tricyclic antidepressants have been reported to blunt the hypotensive effect of systemic clonidine. It is not known whether the concurrent use of these agents with ALPHAGAN P in humans can lead to resulting interference with the IOP lowering effect. Caution is advised in patients taking tricyclic antidepressants which can affect the metabolism and uptake of circulating amines. 7.4 Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors may theoretically interfere with the metabolism of brimonidine and potentially result in an increased systemic side-effect such as hypotension. Caution is advised in patients taking MAO inhibitors which can affect the metabolism and uptake of circulating amines.

Use in Specific Populations

openFDA Drug Labeling

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Use with caution in pediatric patients aged 2 years and older. ( 8.4 ) 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no adequate and well-controlled studies with ALPHAGAN P in pregnant women. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. In animal studies, brimonidine crossed the placenta and entered into the fetal circulation to a limited extent (see Data ) . Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, ALPHAGAN P should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit to the mother justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Data Human Data Limited available data from postmarketing safety reports and published literature with topical use of brimonidine ophthalmic solution in pregnant women are insufficient to inform a drug-associated risk of pregnancy-related adverse outcomes including miscarriage, stillbirth, congenital anomaly, and events experienced by offspring while breastfeeding. Animal Data Embryofetal studies were conducted in pregnant rabbits administered brimonidine tartrate by daily oral gavage on gestation days 6 to 18, to target the period of organogenesis. Brimonidine caused miscarriage at 5 mg/kg/day (approximately 70- or 50-times the recommended human ophthalmic dose [RHOD] based on AUC, respectively for brimonidine tartrate 0.1% and 0.15%). The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for developmental toxicity in rabbits was 1 mg/kg/day (approximately 9- and 6-fold the RHOD based on AUC, respectively for brimonidine tartrate 0.1% and 0.15%). No treatment-related malformations were observed in rabbits. Signs of maternal sedation and fatigue were observed at all dose levels; the lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) for maternal toxicity was 5 mg/kg/day, based on the dose response for these signs. Embryofetal studies were conducted in pregnant rats administered brimonidine tartrate by daily oral gavage on gestation days 6 to 15, to target the period of organogenesis. The NOAEL for developmental toxicity was 2.5 mg/kg/day (approximately 1100- and 750-fold the RHOD based on AUC, respectively for brimonidine tartrate 0.1% and 0.15%). No treatment-related malformations were observed in rats. The LOAEL for maternal toxicity was 2.5 mg/kg/day, based on signs of sedation and fatigue. The maternal NOAEL was 1.0 mg/kg/day (250- and 180-fold the RHOD based on AUC, respectively for brimonidine tartrate 0.1% and 0.15%). After pregnant rats received a single oral dose of 14 C-brimonidine tartrate, brimonidine and metabolites crossed the placenta and were detectable in fetal blood and organs. 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary It is not known whether brimonidine tartrate is excreted in human milk. In animal studies, brimonidine tartrate has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier and is excreted into breast milk after oral administration to lactating rats ( see Data ) . Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions, including central nervous system depression and apnea, from ALPHAGAN P in nursing infants, ALPHAGAN P is not recommended for use during lactation. Data Animal Data After a single oral dose of 14 C-labeled brimonidine tartrate to lactating rats, brimonidine and metabolites were detected in milk. After male and female rats received a single oral dose of 14 C-brimonidine tartrate, brimonidine crossed the blood-brain barrier. Radiolabel was detected in the cerebellum, cerebrum, and spinal cord. 8.4 Pediatric Use ALPHAGAN P is contraindicated in pediatric patients younger than 2 years old [see Contraindications (4.1) ] . During postmarketing surveillance, apnea, bradycardia, coma, hypotension, hypothermia, hypotonia, lethargy, pallor, respiratory depression, and somnolence have been reported in infants receiving brimonidine. In a well-controlled clinical study conducted in pediatric glaucoma patients aged 2 to 7 …

Mechanism of Action

openFDA Drug Labeling

12.1 Mechanism of Action ALPHAGAN P is a relatively selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist with a peak ocular hypotensive effect occurring at two hours post-dosing. Fluorophotometric studies in animals and humans suggest that brimonidine tartrate has a dual mechanism of action by reducing aqueous humor production and increasing uveoscleral outflow.

Description

openFDA Drug Labeling

11 DESCRIPTION ALPHAGAN P (brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution) 0.1% or 0.15%, sterile, is a relatively selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist for topical ophthalmic use. The structural formula of brimonidine tartrate is: 5-Bromo-6-(2-imidazolidinylideneamino) quinoxaline L-tartrate; MW= 442.24 In solution, ALPHAGAN P (brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution) has a clear, greenish-yellow color. It has an osmolality of 250-350 mOsmol/kg and a pH of 7.4-8.0 (0.1%) or 6.9-7.4 (0.15%). Brimonidine tartrate appears as an off-white to pale-yellow powder and is soluble in both water (0.6 mg/mL) and in the product vehicle (1.4 mg/mL) at pH 7.7. Each mL of ALPHAGAN P contains the active ingredient brimonidine tartrate 0.1% (1 mg/mL) or 0.15% (1.5 mg/mL) with the inactive ingredients sodium carboxymethylcellulose; sodium borate; boric acid; sodium chloride; potassium chloride; calcium chloride; magnesium chloride; PURITE ® 0.005% (0.05 mg/mL) as a preservative; purified water; and hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide to adjust pH. The structural formula of brimonidine tartrate is brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution) 0.1% or 0.15%, sterile, is a relatively selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist (topical intraocular pressure lowering agent).

10 OVERDOSAGE Limited information exists on accidental ingestion of brimonidine in adults; the only adverse reaction reported to date has been hypotension. Symptoms of brimonidine overdose have been reported in neonates, infants, and children receiving ALPHAGAN P as part of medical treatment of congenital glaucoma or by accidental oral ingestion [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ] . Treatment of an oral overdose includes supportive and symptomatic therapy; a patent airway should be maintained.

How Supplied / Storage and Handling

openFDA Drug Labeling

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING ALPHAGAN P is supplied sterile, in teal opaque plastic LDPE bottles and tips, with purple high impact polystyrene (HIPS) caps as follows: 0.1% 5 mL in 10 mL bottle NDC 0023-9321-05 10 mL in 10 mL bottle NDC 0023-9321-10 15 mL in 15 mL bottle NDC 0023-9321-15 0.15% 5 mL in 10 mL bottle NDC 0023-9177-05 10 mL in 10 mL bottle NDC 0023-9177-10 15 mL in 15 mL bottle NDC 0023-9177-15 Storage: Store at 15 o C to 25 o C (59 o F to 77 o F).

Adverse event reports

Source: openFDA FAERS
28,450
FAERS reports mentioning this drug
as of 2026-09-25T03:42:24+00:00
A report count is not a risk measure. FAERS accepts voluntary and mandatory reports without establishing causation, and reporting is influenced by how widely a drug is used, how long it has been marketed, and media attention. FDA states that reports “do not prove that the drug caused the event”. Compare rates, not totals.

Attributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: BRIMONIDINE TARTRATE. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.

Packaging and NDCs

Source: NDC Directory
Every National Drug Code package associated with this medication. The NDC is the identifier used for dispensing, billing and pharmacovigilance in the United States.
Package NDC Product NDC Labeler Description Marketing start
0023-9177-05 0023-9177 Allergan, Inc. 1 BOTTLE, DROPPER in 1 CARTON (0023-9177-05) / 5 mL in 1 BOTTLE, DROPPER July 10, 2001
0023-9177-10 0023-9177 Allergan, Inc. 1 BOTTLE, DROPPER in 1 CARTON (0023-9177-10) / 10 mL in 1 BOTTLE, DROPPER July 10, 2001
0023-9177-15 0023-9177 Allergan, Inc. 1 BOTTLE, DROPPER in 1 CARTON (0023-9177-15) / 15 mL in 1 BOTTLE, DROPPER July 10, 2001
0023-9321-03 0023-9321 Allergan, Inc. 1 BOTTLE, DROPPER in 1 CARTON (0023-9321-03) / 3 mL in 1 BOTTLE, DROPPER January 25, 2006
0023-9321-05 0023-9321 Allergan, Inc. 1 BOTTLE, DROPPER in 1 CARTON (0023-9321-05) / 5 mL in 1 BOTTLE, DROPPER January 25, 2006
0023-9321-10 0023-9321 Allergan, Inc. 1 BOTTLE, DROPPER in 1 CARTON (0023-9321-10) / 10 mL in 1 BOTTLE, DROPPER January 25, 2006
0023-9321-15 0023-9321 Allergan, Inc. 1 BOTTLE, DROPPER in 1 CARTON (0023-9321-15) / 15 mL in 1 BOTTLE, DROPPER January 25, 2006
0023-9177 0023-9177 Allergan, Inc. — July 10, 2001
0023-9321 0023-9321 Allergan, Inc. — January 25, 2006

Sources for this page

Every dataset that contributed a fact to this page.
Dataset Agency Used for
NDC Directory FDA Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages
Drugs@FDA FDA Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status
Orange Book FDA Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity
Drug Labeling FDA / NLM Prescribing information reproduced above
FAERS FDA Adverse event report counts

Generated September 25, 2026 · 11 sections on this page.