BRIMONIDINE TARTRATE 2 mg/mL Solution/ Drops
🆔 Identity & classification
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🏷️ RxNorm drug class
This medicine belongs to the alpha-Adrenergic Agonist class.
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🏭 Manufacturer & labeler
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🩺 Clinical
Ophthalmic brimonidine is used to lower pressure in the eyes in patients who have glaucoma (a condition in which increased pressure in the eye can lead to gradual loss of vision) or ocular hypertension (increased pressure in the eyes). Brimonidine is in a class of drugs called alpha adrenergic agonists. Brimonidine works by decreasing the amount of fluid in the eyes.
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Patient education
Supplement & herbal interactions
Some supplements/herbs that may interact with Brimonidine Tartrate — tap one for details:
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💊 What it looks like
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🧪 Inactive Ingredients / Excipients
Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.
💡 Tap an ingredient (hover on desktop) to see what it is and why it’s used.
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UNII F5UM2KM3W7
Benzalkonium chloride is a chemical compound that works as a preservative and antimicrobial agent in medications. It prevents bacterial and fungal growth in liquid formulations to keep the product safe during storage and use.
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UNII 2968PHW8QP
A weak organic acid derived from citrus fruits or made through fermentation. It works as a buffer to control pH, a preservative to extend shelf life, and a flavoring agent in medications.
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UNII QTT17582CB
A strong acid used to adjust and maintain the proper pH level in liquid medicines, ensuring stability and preventing breakdown of active ingredients.
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UNII 532B59J990
Polyvinyl alcohol is a synthetic polymer made from plant-derived materials. It's used as a binder to hold ingredients together, a film-former in coatings, and a thickener in liquid formulations.
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UNII 451W47IQ8X
Sodium chloride is common table salt. It's used in medicines as a buffer to maintain proper pH, as a filler to add bulk, or to adjust the osmotic balance in liquid formulations.
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UNII 55X04QC32I
A strong alkaline chemical used to adjust and maintain the pH balance of liquid medicines. It helps keep the medicine stable and ensures it stays effective during storage.
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UNII B22547B95K
A salt derived from citric acid that helps maintain the proper acid-base balance in the medicine. It's used as a buffer to keep the product stable and at the right pH level.
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UNII 059QF0KO0R
Water is a liquid solvent that dissolves and mixes ingredients together in liquid medicines, syrups, and injections. It helps distribute the active drug evenly throughout the product.
8 inactive ingredients listed in the exact product block matched to this NDC.
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ingredient classCode="IACT" elements from the exact product block matched by this NDC. Label-section narrative from DailyMed / the openFDA label index is shown separately when available.Inactive ingredient FAQ
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💲 Pricing
A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.
| Price system | Per mL | Per package |
|---|---|---|
| Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly | $0.586 | $5.86 / 10 ml |
| Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo | $1.18 | $11.84 / 10 ml |
| Medicare drug plans payPart D · Q2 2026 | $1.05 | $10.50 / 10 ml |
Where does this data come from?
🔁 Therapeutic equivalents
| Product | Labeler | Pack | NADAC/unit | TE | Status | Price vs. this |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brimonidine Tartrate 2 mg/mL 70069-0233-01 | Somerset | 1 bottle | $0.509 | AT | Availability likely | save 13% |
| Brimonidine Tartrate 2 mg/mLthis 70069-0232-01 | Somerset | 1 bottle | $0.586 | AT | Availability likely | — |
| Brimonidine Tartrate 2 mg/mL 24208-0411-05 | Bausch | 1 bottle | $0.820 | AT | Availability likely | +40% |
| Brimonidine Tartrate 2 mg/mL 61314-0143-05 | Sandoz | 5 ml | $0.820 | AT | Availability likely | +40% |
| Brimonidine Tartrate 2 mg/mL 70069-0231-01 | Somerset | 1 bottle | $0.820 | AT | Availability likely | +40% |
| Brimonidine Tartrate 2 mg/mg 71921-0185-05 | Florida | 5 mg | $0.820 | AT | Availability likely | +40% |
| Brimonidine Tartrate 2 mg/mg 14445-0400-05 | Indoco | 5 mg | — | AT | FDA listed | — |
| Brimonidine tartrate 2 mg/mL 42571-0419-56 | Micro | 1 bottle | — | AT | FDA listed | — |
Where does this data come from?
⏳ Availability & generic status
This product is an FDA-approved generic. Other versions of the same drug are listed under Therapeutic equivalents, least expensive first.
Where does this data come from?
🗺️ Medicaid utilization & spend
📊 Medicare Part D spend CMS · PART D · 2026 (Q1)
🔬 Reported adverse events (FAERS)
Top reported reactions
Reporter sex
Serious outcomes
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📦 Packaging — all sizes for this product
| Package NDC | Description | Marketing start | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70069-0232-01 You're viewing this | 1 BOTTLE in 1 CARTON (70069-232-01) / 10 mL in 1 BOTTLE | 2019-03-11 | Active |
📄 Full prescribing information FDA SPL
🎯 Indications and Usage ▾
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.2% is an alpha adrenergic agonist indicated for lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.2% is indicated for lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The IOP lowering efficacy of brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution diminishes over time in some patients.
This loss of effect appears with a variable time of onset in each patient and should be closely monitored.
⏱️ Dosage and Administration ▾
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION One drop in the affected eye(s), three times daily, approximately 8 hours apart. The recommended dose is one drop of brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.2% in the affected eye(s) three times daily, approximately 8 hours apart. Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 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.
💊 Dosage Forms and Strengths ▾
3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Solution containing 2 mg/mL brimonidine tartrate. Solution containing 2 mg/mL brimonidine tartrate.
⛔ Contraindications ▾
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Neonates and infants (under the age of 2 years). ( 4.1 )
4.1Neonates and Infants (under the age of 2 years) Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution is contraindicated in neonates and infants (under the age of 2 years) [ see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.4 ) ] .
4.2Hypersensitivity Reactions Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution is contraindicated in patients who have exhibited a hypersensitivity reaction to any component of this medication in the past [ see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 ) and ( 6.2 ) ].
⚠️ Warnings and Cautions ▾
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Potentiation of vascular insufficiency. ( 5.1 )
5.1Potentiation of Vascular Insufficiency Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution may potentiate syndromes associated with vascular insufficiency. Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution should be used with caution in patients with depression, cerebral or coronary insufficiency, Raynaud's phenomenon, orthostatic hypotension, or thromboangiitis obliterans.
5.2Severe 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.
5.3Contamination 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 [see Patient Counseling Information ( 17 )] .
5.4Use with Contact Lenses The preservative in brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution, benzalkonium chloride, may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Patients wearing soft contact lenses should be instructed to wait at least 15 minutes after instilling brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution to insert soft contact lenses.
🤒 Adverse Reactions ▾
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Most common adverse reactions occurring in approximately 10 to 30% of patients receiving brimonidine ophthalmic solution 0.2% included oral dryness, ocular hyperemia, burning and stinging, headache, blurring, foreign body sensation, fatigue/drowsiness, conjunctival follicles, ocular allergic reactions, and ocular pruritus. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Somerset Therapeutics, LLC at 1-800-417-9175 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 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 (under the age of 2 years) [see Contraindications (4.1)]
6.1Clinical Studies Experience Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adverse reactions occurring in approximately 10-30% of the subjects (in descending order): oral dryness, ocular hyperemia, burning and stinging, headache, blurring, foreign body sensation, fatigue/drowsiness, conjunctival follicles, ocular allergic reactions, and ocular pruritus.
Adverse reactions occurring in approximately 3-9% of the subjects (in descending order): corneal staining/erosion, photophobia, eyelid erythema, ocular ache/pain, ocular dryness, tearing, upper respiratory symptoms, eyelid edema, conjunctival edema, dizziness, blepharitis, ocular irritation, gastrointestinal symptoms, asthenia, conjunctival blanching, abnormal vision and muscular pain. Adverse reactions reported < 3% of the patients: lid crusting, conjunctival hemorrhage, abnormal taste, insomnia, conjunctival discharge, depression, hypertension, anxiety, palpitations/arrhythmias, nasal dryness and syncope.
6.2Postmarketing Experience The following reactions have been identified during postmarketing use of brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solutions in clinical practice. Because they are reported voluntarily from a population of unknown size, estimates of frequency cannot be made. The reactions, which have been chosen for inclusion due to either their seriousness, frequency of reporting, possible causal connection to brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solutions, or a combination of these factors, include: Bradycardia; conjunctivitis; hypersensitivity; hypotension; iritis; keratoconjunctivitis sicca; lacrimation increased; miosis; nausea; skin reactions (including erythema, eyelid pruritus, rash, and vasodilation); and tachycardia.
Apnea, bradycardia, coma, hypotension, hypothermia, hypotonia, lethargy, pallor, respiratory depression, and somnolence in infants receiving brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solutions.
🔄 Drug Interactions ▾
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 )
7.1Antihypertensives/Cardiac Glycosides Because brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution may reduce blood pressure, caution in using drugs such as antihypertensives and/or cardiac glycosides with brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution is advised.
7.2CNS Depressants Although specific drug interaction studies have not been conducted with Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution, the possibility of an additive or potentiating effect with CNS depressants (alcohol, barbiturates, opiates, sedatives, or anesthetics) should be considered.
7.3Tricyclic 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 Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 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.
7.4Monoamine 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 ▾
8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Use with caution in children ≥ 2 years of age. ( 8.4 )
8.1Pregnancy Pregnancy Category B: Teratogenicity studies have been performed in animals. Brimonidine tartrate was not teratogenic when given orally during gestation days 6 through 15 in rats and days 6 through 18 in rabbits. The highest doses of brimonidine tartrate in rats (2.5 mg/kg/day) and rabbits (5 mg/kg/day) achieved AUC exposure values 375-fold higher or 19-fold higher, respectively, than similar values estimated in humans treated with Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.2%, one drop in one eye, twice daily.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women; however, in animal studies, brimonidine crossed the placenta and entered into the fetal circulation to a limited extent. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit to the mother justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
8.3Nursing Mothers It is not known whether brimonidine tartrate is excreted in human milk, although in animal studies, brimonidine tartrate has been shown to be excreted in breast milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions from Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
8.4Pediatric Use Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution is contraindicated in children under the age of 2 years [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. The safety and effectiveness of brimonidine tartrate have not been studied in children below the age of 2 years.
In a well-controlled clinical study conducted in pediatric glaucoma patients (ages 2 to 7 years) the most commonly observed adverse reactions with Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.2% dosed three times daily were somnolence (50-83% in patients ages 2 to 6 years) and decreased alertness. In pediatric patients 7 years of age (greater than 20 kg), somnolence appears to occur less frequently (25%). Approximately 16% of patients on Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.2% discontinued from the study due to somnolence.
8.5Geriatric Use No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and other adult patients.
8.6Special Populations Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution has not been studied in patients with hepatic impairment. Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution has not been studied in patients with renal impairment. The effect of dialysis on brimonidine pharmacokinetics in patients with renal failure is not known.
🤰 Pregnancy ▾
8.1Pregnancy Pregnancy Category B: Teratogenicity studies have been performed in animals. Brimonidine tartrate was not teratogenic when given orally during gestation days 6 through 15 in rats and days 6 through 18 in rabbits. The highest doses of brimonidine tartrate in rats (2.5 mg/kg/day) and rabbits (5 mg/kg/day) achieved AUC exposure values 375-fold higher or 19-fold higher, respectively, than similar values estimated in humans treated with Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.2%, one drop in one eye, twice daily.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women; however, in animal studies, brimonidine crossed the placenta and entered into the fetal circulation to a limited extent. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit to the mother justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
🧒 Pediatric Use ▾
8.4Pediatric Use Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution is contraindicated in children under the age of 2 years [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. The safety and effectiveness of brimonidine tartrate have not been studied in children below the age of 2 years.
In a well-controlled clinical study conducted in pediatric glaucoma patients (ages 2 to 7 years) the most commonly observed adverse reactions with Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.2% dosed three times daily were somnolence (50-83% in patients ages 2 to 6 years) and decreased alertness. In pediatric patients 7 years of age (greater than 20 kg), somnolence appears to occur less frequently (25%). Approximately 16% of patients on Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.2% discontinued from the study due to somnolence.
🧓 Geriatric Use ▾
8.5Geriatric Use No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and other adult patients.
🆘 Overdosage ▾
10 OVERDOSAGE Very 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 brimonidine tartrate 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.
🧬 Clinical Pharmacology ▾
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
12.1Mechanism of Action Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.2% 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.
12.3Pharmacokinetics Absorption After ocular administration of a 0.2% solution, plasma concentrations peaked within 1 to 4 hours and declined with a systemic half-life of approximately 3 hours. Distribution The protein binding of brimonidine has not been studied. Metabolism In humans, brimonidine is extensively metabolized by the liver.
Excretion Urinary excretion is the major route of elimination of brimonidine and its metabolites. Approximately 87% of an orally-administered radioactive dose of brimonidine was eliminated within 120 hours, with 74% found in the urine.
🧬 Mechanism of Action ▾
12.1Mechanism of Action Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.2% 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.
📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling ▾
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.2% is supplied sterile, in white LDPE Bottle, White LDPE Nozzle with a Purple HDPE Cap in the following sizes: 5 mL bottle in one carton – NDC 70069- 231 -01 10 mL bottle in one carton – NDC 70069- 232 -01 15 mL bottle in one carton – NDC 70069- 233 -01 Storage: Store at 15 o -25 o C (59 o -77 o F).
📋 Description ▾
11 DESCRIPTION Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.2%, sterile, is a relatively selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist (topical intraocular pressure lowering agent). The structural formula of brimonidine tartrate is: 5-Bromo-6-(2-imidazolidinylideneamino) quinoxaline L-tartrate; MW= 442.24 In solution, brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.2% has a clear, greenish-yellow color. It has an osmolality of 280 -330 mOsml/kg and a pH of 5.6 -6.6.
Each mL of brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution contains the active ingredient brimonidine tartrate 0.2% (2 mg/mL) with the inactive ingredients benzalkonium chloride 0.005% (0.05 mg/mL) as a preservative; citric acid; polyvinyl alcohol; sodium chloride; sodium citrate; and water for injection. Hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide may be added to adjust pH. Molecular structure 1
💬 Information for Patients ▾
17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION Handling the Container Instruct patients that ocular solutions, if handled improperly or if the tip of the dispensing container contacts the eye or surrounding structures, can become contaminated by common bacteria known to cause ocular infections. Serious damage to the eye and subsequent loss of vision may result from using contaminated solutions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] . Always replace the cap after using.
If solution changes color or becomes cloudy, do not use. Do not use the product after the expiration date marked on the bottle. When to Seek Physician Advice Advise patients that if they have ocular surgery or develop an intercurrent ocular condition (e.g., trauma or infection), they should immediately seek their physician's advice concerning the continued use of the present multidose container .
Use with Contact Lenses Advise patients that contact lenses should be removed prior to instillation of Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution and may be reinserted 15 minutes following its administration. Use with Other Ophthalmic Drugs Advise patients that if more than one topical ophthalmic drug is being used, the drugs should be administered at least five minutes apart. Potential for Decreased Mental Alertness As with other similar medications, Brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution may cause fatigue and/or drowsiness in some patients.
Caution patients who engage in hazardous activities of the potential for a decrease in mental alertness. Manufactured for: Somerset Therapeutics, LLC Somerset, NJ 08873 Customer Care # 1-800-417-9175 Made in India Code No.:KR/DRUGS/KTK/28/289/97 ST-BRM/P/05 1201040