This product contains two medications used to treat high
pressure inside the eye due to glaucoma (open angle-type) or other eye
diseases (such as ocular hypertension). Lowering high pressure inside the
eye helps to prevent blindness. These two medications work together to
decrease the amount of fluid within the eye. Brinzolamide belongs to a
class of drugs known as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Timolol belongs to a
class of drugs known as beta-blockers.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from
your pharmacist before you start using brinzolamide/timolol and each time
you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Use this medication in the affected eye(s) as directed
by your doctor, usually 2 times a day. Shake the bottle well before each
dose.
To apply eye drops, wash your hands first. To avoid
contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any
other surface.
The preservative in this product may be absorbed by
contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses, remove them before using your
eye drops. Wait at least 15 minutes after using this medication before
putting your contact lenses back in.
Tilt your head back, look upward, and pull down the
lower eyelid to make a pouch. Hold the dropper directly over your eye and
place one drop into the pouch. Look downward and gently close your eyes for
1 to 2 minutes. Place one finger at the corner of your eye (near the nose)
and apply gentle pressure. This will prevent the medication from draining
out. Try not to blink and do not rub your eye. Repeat these steps for your
other eye if so directed.
Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap after
each use.
If you are using another kind of eye medication (such as
drops or ointments), wait at least 5 minutes before applying other
medications. Use eye drops before eye ointments to allow the eye drops to
enter the eye.
Wait several minutes for your vision to clear before
driving or operating machinery.
Use this medication regularly in order to get the most
benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day.
Keep using this medication even if you feel well. Most people with glaucoma
or high pressure in the eyes do not have symptoms.
Temporary blurred vision, temporary
burning/stinging/itching/redness of the eye, dry eyes, feeling as if
something is in the eye, bitter/sour/unusual taste in your mouth, or
headache may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, notify your
doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- dizziness
- new or worsening symptoms of heart failure (such as shortness
of breath, swelling ankles/feet, unusual tiredness, unusual/sudden weight
gain)
- slow/irregular heartbeat
- eye or eyelid swelling/pain/discharge
- mental/mood changes (such as depression)
- coldness/numbness/pain in the hands or feet
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious
side effects, including:
- wheezing/difficulty breathing
- chest/jaw/left arm pain
- fainting
- weakness on one side of the body
- trouble speaking
- confusion
- sudden vision changes
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before using this product, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to timolol or other beta-blockers; or to
brinzolamide; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain
inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems.
Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- lung disease/breathing problems (such as current or past
history of asthma, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- slow/irregular heartbeat (such as sinus bradycardia, second-
or third-degree AV block)
- heart disease (such as chest pain, heart failure)
- kidney disease (such as kidney stones, renal failure)
- liver disease
- diabetes
- low blood flow to the brain (cerebrovascular
insufficiency)
- overactive thyroid disease
- certain muscle/nerve disease (myasthenia gravis)
- severe allergic reaction (such as anaphylaxis, atopy)
If you develop an eye infection or injury, or have eye
surgery, check with your doctor about whether you should continue to use
your current bottle of brinzolamide/timolol. You may be advised to start
using a new bottle.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
After you apply this drug, your vision may become
temporarily blurred. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs
clear vision until you can do it safely.
This product may prevent the fast/pounding heartbeat you
would usually feel when your blood sugar level falls too low
(hypoglycemia). The risk is higher if you have diabetes, or are vomiting,
fasting, or not eating regularly. Other symptoms of low blood sugar level,
such as dizziness and sweating, are not affected by this
drug.
If you have diabetes, this product may make it harder to
control your blood sugar levels. Check your blood sugar levels regularly as
directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms
of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. Your doctor may
need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or
diet.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only
when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your
doctor.
This medication passes into breast milk, but is unlikely
to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before
breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug
include:
- beta-blockers (such as propranolol)
- clonidine
- digoxin
- epinephrine
- methyldopa
Other medications can affect the removal of
brinzolamide/timolol from your body, which may affect how this medication
works. Examples include cimetidine, ketoconazole, itraconazole,
clotrimazole, quinidine, ritonavir, troleandomycin, certain antidepressants
(such as SSRIs like fluoxetine), among others.
This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If someone
has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble
breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US
residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call
1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include: trouble breathing or
slow/irregular heartbeat.
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as eye exams, heart rate)
should be done while you are using this medication. Keep all medical and
lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If
it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Do not
freeze. Once the bottle is opened, this medication expires after 60 days.
Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.