Dermatological side effects of brimonidine: a report of three cases.
Brimonidine is a potential first line therapy for primary open angle glaucoma (OAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT). It is known to cause various ocular and systemic side effects. Being a newer drug, the whole spectrum of its adverse effects is not known. The dermatological side effects caused by brimonidine have rarely been reported before. We present three OAG patients who presented to us with contact dermatitis of periorbital skin and lichen planus of nail following the use of topical brimonidine (0.2% twice a day) for more than six months. These side effects slowly disappeared on discontinuing the drug but reappeared on reintroducing topical formulation. Such side effects from the use of brimonidine have not been reported before.
Department of Ophthalmology, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Punita Kumari
PK
Sodhi
Lalit
L
Verma
John
J
Ratan
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D009260:Nail Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010328:Patch Tests; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011810:Quinoxalines; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate