Generic Alphagan P

Can I Buy Generic Alphagan P?

Alphagan^® P (brimonidine tartrate) is a prescription eye drop approved for the treatment of glaucoma and high eye pressure. It belongs to a group of medications known as alpha adrenergic agonists. It works to lower eye pressure by decreasing the fluid production in the eye and by increasing the drainage of fluid out of the eye.

 

Brand-name Alphagan P is manufactured by Allergan, Inc. One strength of Alphagan P is available in generic form.

 

At this time, generic Alphagan P is available in just one strength -- brimonidine tartrate 0.15% ophthalmic solution. This generic product is made by Alcon Laboratories and is marketed under the name Qoliana™ (sometimes, manufacturers of generic medications choose to give them brand-like names, instead of using the standard generic name).

The lower strength of Alphagan P (0.1%) is not yet available in generic form.

 

When Will Generic Alphagan P 0.1% Be Available?

It is difficult to predict when exactly a generic version of the lower strength of Alphagan P will become available. Both strengths have the exact same patents listed with the United States Food and Drug Administration (the first of which is currently set to expire in December 2012). It is unclear why one strength is available in generic form, but not the other.

 

What About Other Strengths of Generic Brimonidine?

There are several generic brimonidine tartrate 0.2% ophthalmic solution products available. However, these products are equivalent to the older formulation (Alphagan), not Alphagan P. The main differences between the old and new formulations are the strengths (0.2% for Alphagan; 0.1% and 0.15% for Alphagan P) and the preservatives (benzalkonium chloride for Alphagan; Purite^® for Alphagan P).