alphagan vs alphagan p

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frasercrane - 02 May 2008 15:37 GMT

I was told by my glaucoma specialist a few years ago that Alphagan P had
replaced Alphagan. It was supposed to be the only "Alphagan" available,
when I questioned her on why she hadn't precribed Alphagan P--she said
Alphagan is Alphagan P.

I sent in my Rx for Alphagan P to my insurance mail order plan
(Caremark) and received Brimonidine Tartrate (0.02%) a generic
equivalent. Then this year my plan changed (Express Scripts) and I
used the new plan's mail order service, but they sent me the more
expensive Alphagan P. When I questioned why the generic was not sent,
the pharmacist said Alphagan P has no generic form. She said Alphagan
was different from Alphagan P. Express Scripts does offer Brimonidine
Tartrate, but presumably only if Alphaagan is prescribed.

Can anyone clarify this situation? Is there both Alphagan and Alphagan P?

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gudrun17 - 02 May 2008 16:38 GMT

> I was told by my glaucoma specialist a few years ago that Alphagan P had
> replaced Alphagan. It was supposed to be the only "Alphagan" available,
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Can anyone clarify this situation? Is there both Alphagan and Alphagan P?

Not only is there Alphagan and Alphagan P, but there is Alphagan P .
15% and Alphagan P .1%. The lower percentages are supposed to be less
irritating. The P means these solutions contain a different
preservative than the original Alphagan, which is the .2% formula. I
don't know about you, but it would bother me if my glaucoma specialist
didn't know all of this.

As far as I know your pharmacist is correct, that the only generic
version of Alphagan is the original .2 percent formula.

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