How much does Alphagan P cost?

Alphagan P (brimonidine) is an open-angle glaucoma medication used to reduce eye pressure. While a generic version is available, it can still be an expensive medication, especially if your insurance plan does not cover it.

The average cash price for a 10 ml bottle of generic brimonidine 0.15% eye drops is about $270. However, you can get the same bottle shipped to you from Universal Drugstore (UDS) for around $40 with a valid prescription. You can also get a 15 ml bottle for $55 and a 30 ml bottle of the same strength of brimonidine for $100.

Brand name Alphagan P is also available, although it will be expensive. For a 10 ml bottle of Alphagan P 0.15% eye drops, you can expect to pay around $500 without insurance. At UDS, it is almost 90% off and is priced around $50. You can also get a 15 ml bottle for around $75 and a 30 ml bottle of the same strength of brand-name Alphagan P for about $125.

Ways to Save Money on Alphagan P

If you can not afford Alphagan P, there are several ways to save money on this medication, including:

Universal Drugstore

You don’t need an Alphagan P coupon or savings card to save up to 80% on this medication when purchased from Universal Drugstore (UDS). UDS is one of Canada’s oldest, largest, and most trusted online prescription referral services with over 20 years of experience assisting individuals access affordable prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Check out our online pharmacy to find our lowest drug price on Alphagan P and many other medications.

Health insurance plan

The best long-term solution is to find a health insurance plan that covers Alphagan P. Most plans are affordable and will cost less than paying the full price for Alphagan P. Start by searching the health insurance marketplace to determine if you meet the eligibility requirements for coverage.

Patient assistance program

The pharmaceutical company that manufactures Alphagan P, Allergan, Inc., offers a patient assistance program that can help you save money on this medication.

Most eligible commercially insured patients will pay $15 per prescription, which is as little as $5 per month for a 90-day supply. This offer is only valid for people who have commercial insurance coverage and a valid prescription at the time the prescription is filled by the pharmacist and dispensed to the patient. The maximum annual benefit available under the copay assistance program for Alphagan P 0.1% is $2,340 per calendar year and $180 per fill for a 30-day supply or $2,000 per calendar year and $400 per fill for a 90-day supply.

This offer is invalid if you have government, state, or federal-funded healthcare programs such as Medigap, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, or TRICARE. You are also not eligible if your private or HMO insurance plan reimburses you for the entire cost of your prescription or if they prohibit you from using a savings program such as this.

You can get additional information by clicking here, calling 1-833-342-5297 or texting SAVINGS to 72428.

Medicaid

You may be eligible for Medicaid, depending on your income. Medicaid is used to help low-income individuals and may cover the cost of Alphagan P. Check with the Medicaid office or website in your state to see if you qualify.

Prescription drug discount card or free coupon

You may save money by using a discount card or free coupon to purchase Alphagan P. These cards and coupons can be used at participating pharmacies in your area, including Walmart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and CVS Pharmacy. You can use a discount card or free coupon to save money on the cash price of a medication, even if you have insurance.

Shop around

You should do an Alphagan P price comparison at multiple pharmacies for the lowest price, including online and mail-order pharmacies. It is estimated that retail prices for the same prescription medication can vary by hundreds of dollars at different pharmacies, even in the same city.

Find an alternative medication

Ask your healthcare provider about an alternative medication you can use to treat glaucoma or ocular hypertension. There are many alternatives they can prescribe that may work for you. Some alternatives to Alphagan P include:

  • Xalatan (latanoprost)
  • Azopt (brinzolamide)
  • Betoptic (betaxolol)
  • Iopidine (apraclonidine)
  • Rhopressa (netarsudil)
  • Rocklatan (netarsudil/latanoprost)
  • Vyzulta (latanoprostene)

See related medications at the end of this blog for more alternatives for Alphagan P.

Alphagan P FAQs

What is Alphagan P used to treat?

Alphagan P is a brand-name brimonidine ophthalmic solution manufactured by Allergan, Inc. It is approved by the FDA to reduce elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients 2 years of age and older with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

How does Alphagan P work?

Alphagan P’s active ingredient, brimonidine tartrate, belongs to a drug class called alpha-2 adrenergic agonists. It works by decreasing your body’s production of aqueous humor (type of fluid in your eye) and increasing the flow of this fluid out of the eye, resulting in a decrease in eye pressure. Reducing eye pressure reduces your risk of nerve damage and vision loss.

Is Alphagan P safe?

While Alphagan P is generally well-tolerated, like any medication, it can cause side effects. The most common side effects of Alphagan P seen in clinical trials include:

  • Dry mouth
  • Eye irritation, redness, burning, and stinging
  • Eye pain
  • Headache
  • Blurred vision
  • Feeling like there’s something in your eye
  • Drowsiness
  • Small white patches on the inside of the eyelids
  • Itchy eyes
  • Dry eyes

Other side effects seen with Alphagan P include:

  • Color change to or thinning of the cornea
  • Light sensitivity
  • Tearing
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Dizziness
  • Eyelid inflammation
  • Upset stomach
  • Weakness
  • Pale or white eyelids
  • Abnormal vision
  • Muscle pain
  • Slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat

While less common, some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Alphagan P. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical assistance:

Serious allergic reactions, which can be life-threatening. Symptoms can include:

  • Hives
  • Trouble breathing
  • Swelling of the mouth, throat, and tongue

Low blood pressure, especially upon standing (orthostatic hypotension)

Alphagan P should be used with caution if you have severe cardiovascular disease, blood vessel problems (thromboangiitis obliterans), Raynaud’s phenomenon, or low blood flow to your heart or brain.

Increased risk of infections from contamination

Alphagan P can cause bacterial keratitis, a bacterial infection of the cornea (the protective covering on the front of your eye) if the dropper gets contaminated. It is important to wash your hands before each use and be careful not to touch the tip of the dropper with your eye, hands, or any other surface.

Damage to soft contact lenses

If you wear soft contacts, remove them before using Alphagan P. You should wait at least 15 minutes after using this medication before putting your contacts back in.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Alphagan P. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Is Alphagan P safe for children?

Alphagan P eye drops have not been proven safe and effective in infants and children less than 2 years of age. After it was approved, apnea (breathing for a short time, especially when they are sleeping), bradycardia (slow heart rate), coma, hypotension (low blood pressure), hypothermia (low body temperature), hypotonia (decreased muscle tone), fatigue, and respiratory depression were reported in infants receiving brimonidine. Children 2 years of age and above, especially those weighing less than 20 kg, should be closely monitored while using Alphagan P.

What drug interactions are there with Alphagan P?

Alphagan P may interact with other medications, supplements, or foods, potentially affecting its effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects. It is important to inform your healthcare professional about all the medications, including prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements you are taking, including:

  • Use with blood pressure-lowering medications such as clonidine and cardiac glycosides such as digoxin may cause a significant drop in your blood pressure.
  • Use with beta-blockers such as atenolol, betaxolol eye drops or timolol eye drops can also increase your risk of low blood pressure.
  • Use with CNS depressants (alcohol, barbiturates, opiates, or sedatives) may cause increased drowsiness.
  • Use with tofclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as amitriptyline may decrease the effectiveness of Alphagan P.
  • Use with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as selegiline and tranylcypromine may result in low blood pressure.

Who should not take Alphagan P?

Alphagan P should not be used if you have a known allergy to brimonidine or any inactive ingredients in its formulation.

You should also make sure your healthcare provider is aware of your medical conditions before you start taking Alphagan P, including:

  • Depression
  • Orthostatic hypotension
  • Raynaud’s phenomenon
  • Thromboangiitis obliterans (blood vessel disease)
  • Severe heart disease
  • Have a scheduled glaucoma surgery
  • Are taking other antiglaucoma medications, including prostaglandin analogs, beta blockers, alpha agonists, or carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
  • Pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant; Alphagan P should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit to the mother justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
  • Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed; Alphagan P should be used during lactation only if the potential benefit to the mother justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Is Alphagan P covered by Medicare?

In general, Medicare does not cover brand-name Alphagan P eye drops. However, almost all plans will cover the generic version of this medication. How much you will pay will depend on your plan and which coverage stage you are in. Check with your individual plan to see if it is covered and how much your copay will be.

Related medications

  • Trusopt (dorzolamide)
  • Timoptic (timolol)
  • Cosopt PF (dorzolamide/timolol)
  • Combigan (brimonidine/timolol)
  • Lumigan (bimatoprost)
  • Xalacom (latanoprost/timolol)

Sources