Healthy vision is the key to a full and happy life. Therefore, the eyes should be special care. So that vision does not deteriorate, you need to eat right, and also visit an optometrist regularly, because you can maintain good vision only with proper care. Partial, and sometimes even complete loss of vision may be associated with increased eye pressure. The symptoms of this disease are almost invisible, they can be confused with the usual fatigue from age or from work and not pay enough attention to this. Therefore, it is advisable to visit an optometrist at least once a year in order to detect an increase in intraocular pressure in a timely manner.
Basically, this problem is faced by people over forty years old. An increase in eye pressure is caused by the accumulation of ocular fluid, which ideally should circulate inside the eye. The drug "Alfagan" will help reduce eye pressure . The photo shows how this drug looks.
Description of the drug
"Alfagan" refers to alpha-adrenergic agonists and is an antiglaucomatous drug. It has high selectivity, which ensures effectiveness, while the development of side effects is minimal. The use of this drug makes it possible to reduce eye pressure.
Structure
Brominidin tartrate - the main active substance of the drug "Alfagan" (eye drops). Instructions for use show that it is thanks to this component that the therapeutic effectiveness of this drug is determined. Alfagan also includes other excipients that contribute to the long-term storage of the medicine. These include water, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, boric acid, carmellose sodium. Unfortunately, it is the auxiliaries that lead to the development of side effects.
Release form
The drug Alfagan (eye drops) has only one form of release. Instructions for use indicate that the drug is available in a plastic bottle that is already equipped with a dropper. Thanks to this, the use of the drug is much simplified, which allows you to always keep it with you and bury your eyes when necessary. Drops are available in three volumes - 15 ml, 10 ml and 5 ml.
Indications for use
The main indication for the use of this drug is increased pressure of the eye fluid. Open-angle glaucoma is another disease in which the use of the drug "Alfagan" (eye drops) is possible. Instructions for use define this drug as an ophthalmic drug with a narrow focus, so it can not be used with normal eye irritation.
Application
This medicine provides topical treatment. Eye drops must be instilled in the conjunctival sac. One drop is considered a single dose of Alfagan. Application should be carried out every 8 hours, that is, three times a day, 1 drop in each eye. When used in parallel with other eye drops, you need to wait a five-minute interval. The course of treatment with Alfagan can last from several weeks to several months.
Contraindications
This ophthalmic agent contains some components that limit the use of the drug "Alfagan". Instructions for use warns that patients with hypersensitivity to any components of the drug are contraindicated. Also, these drops are not prescribed together with the prescribed inhibitors and monoamine oxidases, which are used in psychiatric and neurological practice. Also, you can not use the drug during pregnancy and lactation. Patients who have diseases such as renal failure, orthostatic hypotension, or impaired cerebral circulation should take Alfagan (drops) with extreme caution. Alfagan is intended for patients who weigh more than 20 kg and have reached the age of 2 years. But for kids, the drug is prescribed in extreme cases and only under the supervision of a doctor.
Side effect
Side effects, both local and systemic, can develop when using the drug "Alfagan" (eye drops). Instructions for use warns that when using this medication, conjunctiva may turn red or swelling may appear, vision may blur slightly and sensitivity to light may increase. A large amount of tear fluid may also form. Side effects also include drowsiness, weakness, headache, and dizziness. Cough, impaired breathing, skin rash, impaired taste perception - all this is also possible when using the drug "Alfagan". Patient reviews, in turn, showed that side effects occur very rarely and quickly disappear. But basically, the medicine is well tolerated by the body.
Special instructions
In the process of using Alfagan drops, you should take special instructions with responsibility. First of all, it should be remembered that along with contact lenses you can not use Alfagan. Instructions for use warns that the constituent component of this tool - benzalkonium chloride contributes to clouding of contact lenses. Therefore, they are removed before using the product. You can put them back on only after half an hour.
During instillation, it is not advisable to touch the dropper to the eyes and foreign objects, this can lead to infection of the contents of the vial. You can not use two drugs at the same time, doctors who have prescribed Alfagan always warn about this. The instruction also has special instructions in this regard. A minimum of 5 minutes should elapse between use, but 15–25 minutes is considered an ideal interval.
It should be borne in mind that the therapeutic effect occurs after a day. Therefore, you should consult your doctor if this does not happen.
Interaction
The drug does not interact with other ophthalmic agents. The main thing is to withstand the five-minute interval between the use of another drug and Alfagan. The instruction warns that this drug can enhance the effect of various drugs that can suppress the central nervous system. These include barbiturates, alcohol, sedatives, opium derivatives, and general anesthetics. Given that alpha-adrenergic agonists have the property of lowering heart rate and blood pressure, cardiac glycosides and antihypertensive drugs should be prescribed with extreme caution. Alfagan and tricyclic antidepressants should also be used with caution, as they may affect the metabolism of amines.
Storage
The storage temperature of this drug is 18-24 degrees, it does not matter if Alfagan drops are open or closed. The instruction determines that in the closed state the drug can be stored for 24 months, if the drug is already opened, its shelf life is only 1 month.
Price
The price of this drug depends on many factors, for example, on the manufacturer and its delivery to a particular pharmacy. Basically, it ranges from 450 to 550 rubles per unit.
Analogs
Quite often in pharmacies they ask what can replace the Alfagan drug? Analogues of this drug may be needed in several cases. First of all, substitutes are asked in case of intolerance to this drug. Also, the reason may be the lack of Alfagan in the pharmacy or the price of the drug.
Alfagan has a unique chemical composition that differs from its analogues, but they have practically the same mechanism of action. Therefore, patients with hypersensitivity to Alfagan components often need analogues. The substitutes most often advised by pharmacists are Cosopt, Pilocarpine, Xalatan, Arutimol, Trusopt, Azopt, Okamed, Travatan, Fotil, Betoptik, “ Timolol "," Azarga ". It should be noted that not all of these analogues have a price below Alfagan. Some are even more expensive. Sometimes it depends on the unique composition, which eliminates the majority of side effects, and sometimes only on the manufacturer of the product, so you should consult a doctor or pharmacist before buying.
Reviews
People who have experienced high eye pressure mostly only comment positively on Alfagan drops. Reviews of many people confirm that this drug well and quickly lowers the pressure of the eye fluid, which greatly facilitates the condition of the eyes. Many have confirmed that the medicine is sharpened, objects are seen more clearly, vision is restored over time, and eye fatigue is absent. It should not be forgotten that Alfagan is used only with increased eye pressure and glaucoma. Do not use the drug for ptosis, irritation, or other diseases, as cosmetologists advise on the sites, many patients complained that the drug does not help in such situations, but it should not, because the instructions say nothing about it.
“Alfagan” (eye drops) is a remedy with many side effects, and it is not suitable for many people due to individual sensitivity to individual components, so do not self-medicate, as this can lead to negative results. This medicine is prescribed by an ophthalmologist, and only after establishing the correct diagnosis. Remember, if you feel especially tired eyes, you need to immediately visit a doctor so as not to start the state of your health.