Question:medium
Which drug causes ocular hypotension with apnea in an infant?
Which drug causes ocular hypotension with apnea in an infant?
Show Hint
Alpha-2 agonist that crosses the infant blood-brain barrier.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- Latanoprost
- Timolol
- Brimonidine
- Dorzolamide
Show Solution
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Identify the danger signal: CNS depression and apnea in a baby after eye drops. This is a hallmark of central alpha-2 agonism.
Step 2: Brimonidine is that alpha-2 agonist used to cut intraocular pressure. Its problem is that an infant's blood-brain barrier is leaky, so the drug reaches the brain.
Step 3: Once central, it depresses the CNS and respiratory drive, producing bradycardia, hypothermia, hypotonia, hypotension and apnea. For this reason it is avoided in infants and young children.
Step 4: The beta-blocker, prostaglandin analogue and carbonic anhydrase inhibitor options do not carry this signature apnea risk, leaving brimonidine.\[\boxed{\text{Brimonidine}}\]
Step 2: Brimonidine is that alpha-2 agonist used to cut intraocular pressure. Its problem is that an infant's blood-brain barrier is leaky, so the drug reaches the brain.
Step 3: Once central, it depresses the CNS and respiratory drive, producing bradycardia, hypothermia, hypotonia, hypotension and apnea. For this reason it is avoided in infants and young children.
Step 4: The beta-blocker, prostaglandin analogue and carbonic anhydrase inhibitor options do not carry this signature apnea risk, leaving brimonidine.\[\boxed{\text{Brimonidine}}\]
Was this answer helpful?
0
