Brinzolamide Ophthalmic (patient information)

Why this medication is prescribed

Brinzolamide ophthalmic is used to treat glaucoma, a condition that increases pressure in the eye and leads to vision loss. Brinzolamide ophthalmic is in a class of drugs called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. It decreases the pressure in the eye.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How this medication should be used

Brinzolamide ophthalmic comes as eyedrops. One drop is usually applied three times a day. Shake the bottle well before each dose. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use brinzolamide ophthalmic exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Brinzolamide ophthalmic controls glaucoma but does not cure it. Continue to use brinzolamide ophthalmic even if you feel well. Do not stop using brinzolamide ophthalmic without talking to your doctor.

To use the eyedrops, follow these instructions:

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Use a mirror or have someone else put the drops in your eye.
Shake the bottle well for 10 seconds.
Remove the protective cap. Make sure the end of the dropper is not chipped or cracked.
Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or anything else.
Hold the dropper tip down at all times to prevent drops from flowing back into the bottle and contaminating the remaining contents.
Lie down or tilt your head back.
Holding the bottle between your thumb and index finger, place the dropper tip as near as possible to your eyelid without touching it.
Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your cheek or nose.
With the index finger of your other hand, pull the lower lid of the eye down to form a pocket.
Drop the prescribed number of drops into the pocket made by the lower lid and the eye. Placing drops on the surface of the eyeball can cause stinging.
Close your eye and press lightly against the lower lid with your finger for 2 - 3 minutes to keep the medication in the eye. Do not blink.
Replace and tighten the cap right away. Do not wipe or rinse it off.
Wipe off any excess liquid from your cheek with a clean tissue. Wash your hands again.

Special precautions

Before using brinzolamide ophthalmic eyedrops:

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to brinzolamide ophthalmic, other antibiotics, sulfa drugs, or any other drugs.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially acetazolamide (Diamox), dichlorphenamide (Daranide), eye medications, methazolamide (Neptazane), products that contain aspirin, and vitamins and herbal products.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using brinzolamide ophthalmic.
if you are using another eyedrop medication, use the eye medications at least 10 minutes apart.
if you get an eye injury or infection, call your doctor to see if you should still use the same eyedrop bottle.
tell your doctor if you wear soft contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using the medicine to put in soft contact lenses.
use caution when driving or operating machinery because vision may be blurred after inserting the drops.

What to do if you forget a dose

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not apply a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Side Effects

Minor Side Effects

Brinzolamide ophthalmic may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

blurred vision
bitter, sour, or unusual taste after inserting the drops
dry eyes
feeling that something is in your eye
headache
runny nose

Severe Side Effects

If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop using brinzolamide ophthalmic and call your doctor immediately:

itching eyes or skin
redness or swelling of eyes, lips, tongue, or skin
watery eyes
eye pain
skin rash, hives, or skin changes
difficulty breathing or swallowing
sore throat
fever
chest pain

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Storage conditions needed for this medication

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

Other information

Keep all appointments with your doctor. Your doctor will order certain eye tests to check your response to brinzolamide ophthalmic.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Brand names

Azopt®