Type of medicine: carbonic anhydrase inhibitor
Generic and brand names: brinzolamide, ophthalmic; Azopt
This medicine (in the form of eyedrops) is used to treat high pressure in the eyes. High intraocular pressure occurs with glaucoma and other conditions.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your provider if you wear contact lenses.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while using this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Use this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not use more of it or use it more often than prescribed.
If you wear contact lenses, take them out before using this medicine. Do not put contacts back in for at least 15 minutes after using this medicine.
Wash your hands thoroughly before applying medicine to your eyes. Tilt your head back and gently pull your lower eyelid down to form a pouch. Hold the dropper directly above your eye, look up, and squeeze a drop of the medicine into the pouch. Close your eyes for a minute or two and with a fingertip press gently on the inside corner of your eye to keep the medicine from draining out. Do not rub your eyes.
To avoid contaminating the medicine, do not let the tip of the dropper touch your eye or any other surface. Do not share eye medicine with other people. If this medicine is contaminated it may cause serious eye infections. After use, wipe the tip with a clean tissue, and put the cap on tightly.
If you are using more than one type of eyedrop, use them at least 10 minutes apart. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist which eyedrop to use first.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
An acute overdose of this medicine is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center at 800-222-1222
This eye medicine can be absorbed into the body and may cause an allergic reaction in some people. If you develop hives, rash, peeling skin, itching, tightness in your chest, or trouble breathing, stop using the medicine and contact your healthcare provider right away.
If your eye is injured or becomes infected while using this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away.
This medicine may be absorbed by soft contact lenses and cause them to change color. Do not use these eyedrops while wearing your contact lenses. Wait at lease 15 minutes after using the medicine before you put in your contacts.
Your healthcare provider will want to see you regularly to be sure your condition is under control.
After putting in these eyedrops, your vision may be blurred. Do not drive or operate machinery until you can see clearly.
Do not use other products in your eyes while you are using this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are using this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (contact your healthcare provider right away): Signs of infection (redness, warmth, pus in your eye), extreme eye irritation, swelling of the eyelids or skin around your eyes, dizziness, swelling in your legs, peeling skin, unusual sweating.
Other: Burning, stinging, red eyes, watery eyes, dry mouth, headache, nausea, feeling that something is in the eye, fatigue, dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, eye pain, eye dryness, abnormal vision, bitter or sour taste, depression, anxiety, stuffy or runny nose.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, the effects of any of the medicines may be increased or decreased or the combination may cause harmful side effects. Some medicines that might interact with this medicine are:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicines in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
