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Apparent central nervous system depression in infants after the use of topical brimonidine
J O Carlsen1, N A Zabriskie, Y H Kwon
1John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City 84132, USA.
Purpose:
To report two cases in which topical brimonidine resulted in apparent central nervous system depression and unresponsiveness in an infant.
Methods:
Review of two patients. An 11-day-old infant became lethargic and apneic after a single drop of brimonidine. These symptoms were reproduced after a second administration of brimonidine. A 5-month-old infant became lethargic and poorly responsive after receiving 1 drop of brimonidine in each eye.
Results:
The first patient required admission to the hospital for medical stabilization. He recovered without sequelae. The second patient recovered spontaneously approximately 2.5 hours after administration of brimonidine.
Conclusions:
Topical brimonidine may be associated with central nervous system depression in infants. The use of brimonidine is not recommended in these patients until further data are available.