Compare brimonidine vs. pilocarpine
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Lowers high eye pressure.
Alphagan P (brimonidine) is an effective medication for treating high pressure in the eyes, but it can cause some bothersome effects such as dry mouth, eye burning, and stinging upon administration.
Lowers eye pressure and constricts the pupil.
Isopto Carpine (pilocarpine) is a very effective first choice medicine for treating high eye pressure to prevent the onset or worsening of glaucoma, but you may have to use up to 4 times daily.
Upsides
- Alphagan P (brimonidine) is a good medication for reducing high eye pressure and helping prevent development of glaucoma.
- It is available as a cheaper, generic form.
- It takes about 1 hour for Isopto Carpine (pilocarpine) to lower dangerously high eye pressure.
- It does not require dose adjustments in patients with liver or kidney problems.
- Available as a generic.
Downsides
- Even though it's administered in the eye, Alphagan P (brimonidine) can make you feel fatigued and drowsy.
- You must wait 5 minutes before using another eye drop in the same eye.
- You have to remove contact lenses and leave them out for 15 minutes after using the eyedrops.
- Alphagan P (brimonidine) can't be used in children under 2 years of age.
- Isopto Carpine (pilocarpine) causes the pupil of the eye to become smaller, which results in dim vision, particularly at night.
- Alternatives are easier to use than this medication, since it requires more drops throughout the day.
- Isopto Carpine (pilocarpine) is a recommended choice, but it may not work for more serious conditions.
Used for
- Elevated intraocular pressure
- High pressure in the eye
- Glaucoma
- Prevention of high pressure in the eye after laser surgery
- Induction of miosis (pupil constriction)
Dosage forms
- Eye drops
- Eye drops
Price
Lowest price
$203.22
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$101.79
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Side effects
The Alphagan P (brimonidine) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
The Isopto Carpine (pilocarpine) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Contact lens use
- Contamination of eye products after use
- Corneal disease
- Disruption of the ocular epithelial surface
- Severe heart disease
- CNS depression (sleepiness and fatigue)
- Reduced visual acuity
- Retinal disease
- Retinal disease
- Increased intraocular pressure in children
- Use of Isopto Carpine (pilocarpine) in pediatric patients