Unintentional ingestion of brimonidine antiglaucoma drops: a case report and review of the literature

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2007 Sep;23(9):657-8. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0b013e31814b2df0.

Abstract

A previously healthy, 1-year 7-month-old boy was brought to the emergency department after having unintentionally ingested topical brimonidine antiglaucoma drops. He was pale and lethargic and had brief periods of apnea and bradycardia. Activated charcoal was administered, and supportive measures were initiated, achieving complete resolution of the symptoms 4 hours after admission. Brimonidine poisoning is very rare, and a high index of suspicion is necessary to identify its signs and symptoms in the pediatric emergency department. To our knowledge, only 1 case of brimonidine poisoning after oral ingestion of this topical drug has been previously reported in the literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / poisoning*
  • Brimonidine Tartrate
  • Charcoal / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Poisoning / therapy*
  • Quinoxalines / poisoning*

Substances

  • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists
  • Quinoxalines
  • Charcoal
  • Brimonidine Tartrate