Azopt (Brinzolamide)

(bryn xoe' la mide)

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

Ophthalmic brinzolamide comes as a solution (liquid) to instill in the eyes. It is usually instilled three times a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use brinzolamide eye drops exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Brinzolamide eye drops control glaucoma but do not cure it. Continue to use brinzolamide eye drops even if you feel well. Do not stop using brinzolamide eye drops without talking to your doctor. To instill the eye drops, follow these steps:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• Check the dropper tip to make sure that it is not chipped or cracked.
• Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or anything else; eye drops and droppers must be kept clean.
• While tilting your head back, pull down the lower lid of your eye with your index finger to form a pocket.
• Hold the dropper (tip down) with the other hand, as close to the eye as possible without touching it.
• Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your face.
• While looking up, gently squeeze the dropper so that a single drop falls into the pocket made by the lower eyelid. Remove your index finger from the lower eyelid.
• Close your eye for 2 to 3 minutes and tip your head down as though looking at the floor. Try not to blink or squeeze your eyelids.
• Place a finger on the tear duct and apply gentle pressure.
• Wipe any excess liquid from your face with a tissue.
• If you are to use more than one drop in the same eye, wait at least 5 minutes before instilling the next drop.
• Replace and tighten the cap on the dropper bottle. Do not wipe or rinse the dropper tip.
• Wash your hands to remove any medication.

Before using brinzolamide eye drops,
• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to brinzolamide eye drops, other antibiotics, sulfa drugs, or any other medications.
• 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.
• if you are using another topical eye medication, instill it 10 minutes before or 10 minutes after you instill brinzolamide eye drops.
• 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 eye drops.
• if you get an eye injury or infection, call your doctor to see if you should still use the same eye drop 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.

Instill 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 instill a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Brinzolamide eye drops 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 instilling the drops
• dry eyes
• feeling that something is in your eye
• headache
• runny nose

If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop using brinzolamide eye drops 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

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). Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Keep all appointments with your doctor. Your doctor will order certain eye tests to check your response to brinzolamide eye drops. Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.