Cardiorespiratory depression and hyperglycemia after unintentional ingestion of brimonidine in a neonate.
OBJECTIVE
Brimonidine is a third-generation selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that lowers intraocular pressure by decreasing aqueous humor production and increasing uveoscleral flow. Its safety profile for children <2 years of age remains unknown.


METHODS
We describe a case of ingestion of a single drop of brimonidine 0.2% in a newborn, resulting in sedation, cardiorespiratory depression, and hyperglycemia within minutes.


CONCLUSIONS
This report adds to the existing evidence that brimonidine can have serious adverse side effects and should therefore be used with extreme caution in infants <2 years of age. Additionally,safety procedures like double-checking should also include vitamins or oral supplements to improve medication safety in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Vanhaesebrouck
Sophie
S
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals-Campus Gasthuisberg, Leuven - Belgium. sophie.vanhaesebrouck@uzleuven.be
Cossey
Veerle
V
Cosaert
Katrien
K
Allegaert
Karel
K
Naulaers
Gunnar
G
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000506:poisoning*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000506:poisoning; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008508:Medication Errors; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000506:poisoning*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D011810:Quinoxalines; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate