[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Antiglaucoma agents](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/antiglaucoma-agents/) › Apraclonidine

# Apraclonidine

## Antiglaucoma agents?

Antiglaucoma agents

An alpha-2 agonist eye drop for short-term extra pressure lowering in glaucoma, for example around laser surgery. Its effect fades with time.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

## Quick facts

**Group**
[Antiglaucoma agents](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/antiglaucoma-agents/)

**Target**
α2 adrenergic receptors of the ciliary body

**Used for**
Short-term add-on therapy

**Key effects**
Red · Dry mouth · Blanching of the conjunctiva

**Monitor**
Intraocular pressure · Pulse and blood pressure

**ATC**
S01EA03

No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Administration and safety
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## Mechanism of action

Apraclonidine is a relatively selective α2 agonist related to clonidine. Stimulating α2 receptors in the eye reduces aqueous humour flow, so intraocular pressure falls. It is also a vasoconstrictor, which causes eyelid and conjunctival blanching. In many patients the effect wanes over weeks (tachyphylaxis).

- Apraclonidine stimulates α2 receptors in the eye
- Aqueous humour flow falls
- Intraocular pressure drops; effect may fade (tachyphylaxis)

## Indications

- Short-term add-on therapy in glaucoma on maximal medical treatment that needs more pressure lowering [Open-angle glaucoma →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/open-angle-glaucoma/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Red, itchy, uncomfortable eye
- Dry mouth
- Blanching of the conjunctiva, eyelid swelling
- Tiredness and drowsiness

### Serious (rare, important)

- Allergic-like eye reaction (redness, itching, lid and conjunctival oedema), a common reason to stop
- Loss of effect over time with rising pressure
- Slow pulse, low blood pressure, vasovagal episodes
- Depression in susceptible patients

## Contraindications

- Use of monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors
- Hypersensitivity to apraclonidine or to clonidine

## Key interactions

**MAO inhibitors**
Contraindicated

**CNS depressants (alcohol, opioids, sedatives, anaesthetics)**
Possible additive sedation

**Beta-blockers, antihypertensives, cardiac glycosides**
Lower pulse and blood pressure; both are checked

**Tricyclic antidepressants**
May blunt the effect, as they do with clonidine

## What is monitored

- Intraocular pressure, closely, because of tachyphylaxis
- Visual fields when used to delay surgery
- Pulse and blood pressure with cardiovascular drugs

## Administration and safety

- For eye use only; not for injection or swallowing.
- Contact lenses come out before the drop and go back in about 15 minutes later.
- Look-alike names: apraclonidine, clonidine and brimonidine are different products.

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

There are no adequate human studies; it is used only if the benefit justifies the risk.

## Nursing care

- Check for MAO inhibitor use before the first dose.
- Warn about drowsiness and dizziness before driving or hazardous work.
- Teach to stop and report red, itchy, swollen eyes.
- Check mood in patients with a history of depression.

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
Topical use leads to systemic absorption

**Onset and duration**
Effect usually within an hour, maximal at about three hours

## Memory aid

«APRA = A Pressure Rescue, for A while»: short-term alpha-2 help before tachyphylaxis wins.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Why is apraclonidine used only short term?

Its pressure-lowering effect fades over time (tachyphylaxis) and allergic-like eye reactions are common.

## Which drug class is contraindicated with it?

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

## What receptor does it stimulate?

The α2 adrenergic receptor.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/apraclonidine/)

[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

## Connections

## Related drugs 3

- [Brimonidine](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/brimonidine/)
- [Clonidine](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/clonidine/)
- [Timolol](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/timolol/)

## Related conditions 1

- [Open-angle glaucoma](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/open-angle-glaucoma/)

[← Back to the class: Antiglaucoma agents](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/antiglaucoma-agents/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [DailyMed - APRACLONIDINE solution](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=04ad82af-e7ba-4f40-a120-be9d33cf0c7b) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2024); [Apraclonidine Ophthalmic: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a608005.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=S01EA03) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/apraclonidine/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/apraclonidine/