Simbrinza Adverse Reactions

Summary of the safety profile: In clinical trials involving SIMBRINZA dosed twice daily the most common adverse reactions were ocular hyperaemia and ocular allergic type reactions occurring in approximately 6-7% of patients, and dysgeusia (bitter or unusual taste in the mouth following instillation) occurring in approximately 3% of patients.
Tabulated summary of adverse reactions: The following adverse reactions have been reported during clinical studies with SIMBRINZA twice-daily dosing and during clinical studies and post-marketing surveillance with the individual components brinzolamide and brimonidine. They are classified according to the subsequent convention: very common (≥1/10), common (≥1/100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100), rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000), very rare (<1/10,000) or not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Within each frequency-grouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness. (See Table 2.)

Click on icon to see table/diagram/image

Description of selected adverse reactions: Dysgeusia was the most common systemic adverse reaction associated with the use of SIMBRINZA (3.4%). It is likely to be caused by passage of the eye drops in the nasopharynx via the nasolacrimal canal and is mainly attributable to the brinzolamide component of SIMBRINZA. Nasolacrimal occlusion or gently closing the eyelid after instillation may help reduce the occurrence of this effect (see Dosage & Administration).
SIMBRINZA contains brinzolamide, which is a sulphonamide inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase with systemic absorption. Gastrointestinal, nervous system, haematological, renal and metabolic effects are generally associated with systemic carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. The same type of adverse reactions attributable to oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors may occur with topical administration.
Adverse reactions commonly associated with the brimonidine component of SIMBRINZA include the development of ocular allergic type reactions, fatigue and/or drowsiness, and dry mouth. The use of brimonidine has been associated with minimal decreases in blood pressure. Some patients who dosed with SIMBRINZA experienced decreases in blood pressure similar to those observed with the use of brimonidine as monotherapy.