brimonidine tartrate + brinzolamide at a glance
Medicine class
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor combined with an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist.
Licensed role
Reduces raised pressure in adult eyes when one treatment is insufficient.
Form
A multidose eye-drop suspension that must be shaken well before use.
Contact lenses
Remove soft lenses before use and wait 15 minutes before replacing them.
What is brimonidine tartrate + brinzolamide used for?
Licensed for adults whose eye pressure is not adequately controlled by one pressure-lowering treatment.
Open-angle glaucoma
Ocular hypertension
How does brimonidine tartrate + brinzolamide work?
Brinzolamide reduces production of fluid inside the eye. Brimonidine reduces fluid production and increases its drainage. Together, these actions lower eye pressure.
brimonidine tartrate + brinzolamide preparations and strengths
Eye drops
Route: Ophthalmic
Strengths: 10 mg/mL + 2 mg/mL
How to take brimonidine tartrate + brinzolamide
Use only in the eye and follow the dispensing-label instructions.
Wash and dry your hands, then shake the bottle well.
Do not touch the dropper tip against the eye, eyelid, fingers or other surfaces.
After applying the drop, close the eye and gently press beside the nose to reduce drainage into the throat and systemic absorption.
Close the bottle firmly after use.
Keep other eye preparations separate as instructed by the prescriber or pharmacist.
Remove soft contact lenses before application and wait 15 minutes before reinserting them.
brimonidine tartrate + brinzolamide side effects
Common or expected effects
- Eye redness, discomfort, pain or allergic irritation
- Inflammation of the eye surface
- Temporary blurred or abnormal vision
- Bitter or unusual taste
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness or dizziness
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including breathing difficulty
- Severe blistering or peeling skin reaction, sometimes with mouth, eye or genital sores
- Chest pain, irregular heartbeat, collapse or extreme dizziness
brimonidine tartrate + brinzolamide in pregnancy
This combination is not recommended during pregnancy because human data are limited. Do not stop glaucoma treatment without specialist advice; anyone planning pregnancy or becoming pregnant should promptly speak with their eye specialist.
brimonidine tartrate + brinzolamide while breastfeeding
The UK product information states that this combination should not be used while breastfeeding. Treatment options should be reviewed with the prescriber or eye specialist.
brimonidine tartrate + brinzolamide interactions
Tell the prescriber about tablets, injections and other eye preparations because interactions can occur despite administration into the eye.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Concurrent use is contraindicated.
Tricyclic antidepressants or mianserin
Concurrent use is contraindicated.
Alcohol, opioids, sedatives, barbiturates or anaesthetics
Sedation, dizziness and reduced alertness may increase.
Common questions about brimonidine tartrate + brinzolamide
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why is this combination prescribed instead of one eye-pressure treatment?
It combines two complementary mechanisms and is licensed when one treatment has not controlled open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension sufficiently.
Does the bottle need shaking?
Yes. It is a suspension, so shake the bottle well before applying it.
Can it affect driving?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.