ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/brimonidine-ophthalmic
US brand names:Alphagan
Warnings from the source rows
Alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that decreases aqueous humor production and increases uveoscleral outflow. Also neuroprotective to retinal ganglion cells.
TOXIC in cats and small dogs (systemic alpha-2 effects: sedation, bradycardia, hypotension). Avoid in cats. Use with caution in small dogs. Monitor for CNS depression.
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugs
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 2 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat (Domestic) | TOPICAL (ophthalmic) | TOXIC IN CATS — causes severe sedation, bradycardia, hypotension, hypothermia | CONTRAINDICATED | Strong | Riviere JE & Papich MG, Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, p.165 ('not recommended for veterinary patients'); corroborated for cats specifically by Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) p.1376, whose cat-specific adverse-effect paragraph rests on in-cat primary studies (Ogata et al., Vet Anaesth Analg 2017;44:1091-1100, sedative and physiological effects in healthy cats; Kanda et al., J Feline Med Surg 2019) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1349, Brimonidine Ophthalmic monograph.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| Dog (Domestic) | TOPICAL (ophthalmic) | See the cited source for the printed regimen | q8-12h | Weak | Gelatt KN, MacKay EO. Effect of single and multiple doses of 0.2% brimonidine tartrate in the glaucomatous beagle. Vet Ophthalmol. 2002;5(4):253-262. — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1349, Brimonidine Ophthalmic monograph. |
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