WHAT ABOUT GENERIC ALPHAGAN?

Over the years, there has been quite a degree of evolution in the class of drugs known as alpha agonists. Epinephrine related products were largely replaced with Propine and later by a drug called Apraclonidine. In 1996, Allergan released a drug called Alphagan (brimonidine .2%). Although this drug was not typically used as the first treatment for glaucoma, it was a very effective drug in some patients. One of its limitations was that it caused allergy in a significant number of patients. In 2001, Allergan released an improved version under the name of Alphagan P (0.15%). This new form was reported to cause less redness and allergy. After several months, production of Alphagan was halted as the majority of the patients were switched from Alphagan to Alphagan P. Recently, the patent protection for Alphagan expired, and several companies have begun making a generic version of Alphagan (Brimonidine). Because Brimonidine has a different preservative and different strength than Alphagan P, these drugs are not strictly considered generic equivalents, and substitutions may not be made by the pharmacist without permission of the physician.

If patients desire brimonidine .2% (generic Alphagan), we are happy to write them a prescription and they can compare the price of the generic product to that of the brand name Alphagan P, and they can determine for themselves whether there is a problem with redness or allergy. Only the eye doctor can help them assess whether there is a difference in the effectiveness of the two drugs.

In effect, there is a generic Alphagan (brimonidine .2%), but there is no longer a brand name Alphagan being sold. There is a brand name Alphagan P in the pharmacies, but no generic Alphagan P at this point.