Brinzolamide is used on its own or together with other medicines to treat increased pressure in the eye.
This medicine helps to lower the pressure in the eyes. If left untreated, increased pressure within the eye can cause damage to the eyes and loss of vision.
Instil Brinzolamide eye drop solution in the affected eye(s) exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not use more or less than instructed by your doctor.
To use the eye drop solution, follow these steps:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before using the eye drops.
- Shake the bottle well before using.
- Tilt your head slightly backwards. With the index finger, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Look upward and instil the required number of drops inside the lower eyelid.
- Close your eyes and do not blink or rub your eyes. Using your index finger, gently press the inner corner of your eye by the nose for 1 to 2 minutes. This may help prevent the absorption of Brinzolamide into other parts of the body.
- Wipe any excess liquid from your face with a clean tissue.
- Replace and tighten the cap of the bottle.
Do not allow the tip of the dropper of this medicine to touch your eyes, eyelids, or any other surface. Recap the eye drop immediately after use. If the eye drop becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in your eyes.
If you have been given any other eye drops or medicines to be used together with Brinzolamide, wait for at least 5 minutes before using the other medicine.
Do not share your eye drops with anyone else.
Some brands of Brinzolamide contain benzalkonium chloride as a preservative. This may discolour soft contact lenses and cause eye irritation. If you are wearing contact lenses, you should remove them before instilling the eye drops. Wait for at least 15 minutes before reinserting your lenses.
Instil the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose to make up for a missed dose.
If you often forget to instil your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not use Brinzolamide if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or other medicines called sulfonamides such as sulfamethoxazole (antibiotic).
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- hyperchloraemic acidosis (low bicarbonate and high chloride concentration in the blood)
- severe kidney disease
as Brinzolamide may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- problems in the cornea (clear layer that covers the front part of the eye)
- pseudoexfoliative glaucoma or pigmentary glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye is caused by deposits that block fluid drainage)
- narrow-angle glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye is due to eye bulging and blocking of drainage angle)
- kidney problems
- liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
For as long as you are using Brinzolamide, you may need to have your eyes checked regularly. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have this test.
Brinzolamide may cause your vision to be temporarily blurred. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to see clearly.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, dizziness, bitter, sour, or unusual taste; dry mouth, diarrhoea, nausea, indigestion; discomfort, redness, dryness or pain in the eyes, and blocked or runny nose.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes, or mouth
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth, or eyes accompanied by fever
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any of these medicines:
- other medicines to treat increased pressure in the eye e.g. acetazolamide, methazolamide
- medicines to treat fungal infections e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole, clotrimazole
- high doses of aspirin (medicine for pain and inflammation)
- troleandomycin (antibiotic)
- ritonavir (medicine for HIV infection)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Brinzolamide.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Throw away any remaining eye drops 4 weeks after opening. Mark the date of opening on the eye drop bottle so that you know when to discard it.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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