Brimonidine+timolol
About
Brimonidine+timolol is used to treat open-angle glaucoma and (ocular hypertension) high pressure in the eyes. Glaucoma is a common eye condition where the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, becomes damaged. It's usually caused by fluid building up in the front part of the eye, which increases pressure inside the eye.
Brimonidine+timolol is a combination of two medicines, namely Brimonidine and Timolol. Brimonidine is a sympathomimetic drug, an agent that mimics the responses of sympathetic nerves. It acts by narrowing the blood vessels that reduce the flow of aqueous humour. Timolol belongs to a class of anti-hypertensive drugs called 'beta-blockers' primarily used to treat increased pressure in the eye. It decreases the secretion of aqueous humour by acting on ciliary body in the eye, thereby causing a decrease in the eye pressure.
Your doctor will advise on how often you take Brimonidine+timolol based on your medical condition. Some common side effects of Brimonidine+timolol include itching, stinging sensation, foreign body sensation in the eye, burning sensation in eye, redness, blurred vision, tiredness, drowsiness, headache, and dryness in the mouth. These side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. Although not all of these side effects may occur, they may need medical attention if they do occur.
Try not to stop taking this medicine of your own. You should not use Brimonidine+timolol without consulting your doctor if you have an eye infection, allergies, closed-angle glaucoma, thyroid diseases, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart, liver and kidney diseases, diabetes, high or low blood pressure, depression, Raynaud's phenomenon (numbness in various parts of the body), and slow heartbeats that make you faint. It is not recommended to use Brimonidine+timolol during breastfeeding since Timolol can pass into breast milk. Check with your doctor before using Brimonidine+timolol if you are pregnant, currently breastfeeding, or taking any other prescribed or non-prescribed medicines.
Uses of Brimonidine+timolol
Medicinal Benefits
Brimonidine+timolol effectively treats open-angle glaucoma and (ocular hypertension) high pressure in the eyes. Brimonidine+timolol consists of Brimonidine and Timolol. Brimonidine is a sympathomimetic drug, an agent which mimics the responses of sympathetic nerves. It acts by narrowing the blood vessels that reduce the flow of aqueous humour. Timolol belongs to a class of anti-hypertensive drugs called 'beta-blockers' primarily used to treat increased pressure in the eye. It decreases the secretion of aqueous humour by the ciliary body in the eye, thereby causing a decrease in the eye pressure.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Brimonidine+timolol
- Itching
- Stinging sensation
- Foreign body sensation
- Burning sensation in the eye
- Redness
- Blurred vision
- Tiredness
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Dryness in the mouth.
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Before taking Brimonidine+timolol, let your doctor know if have a history of eye infection, allergies, closed-angle glaucoma, thyroid diseases, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart, liver and kidney diseases, diabetes, high or low blood pressure, depression, Raynaud's phenomenon (numbness in various parts of the body), and slow heartbeats that make you faint. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or are a breastfeeding mother. Brimonidine+timolol can cause blurry vision; hence drive or operate machinery only if you are able to see things clearly. It is better to avoid alcohol while being treated with Brimonidine+timolol
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Brimonidine+timolol may interact with respiratory drugs (fluticasone, salmeterol), fluid retention medicine (furosemide), fits medication (pregabalin), anxiety medicine (alprazolam), blood pressure drugs (clonidine), anti-depressants (fluoxetine, paroxetine), anti-psychotics (isocarboxazid, selegiline), and anti-diabetics.
Drug-Food Interaction: The absorption of Brimonidine+timolol can cause dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. In such cases, consumption of alcohol increases the risk. Hence avoid or limit the intake of alcohol.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Brief your doctor if you have a medical history of closed-angle glaucoma, thyroid diseases, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart, liver and kidney diseases, diabetes, high or low blood pressure, depression, and Raynaud's phenomenon before taking Brimonidine+timolol.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionInteraction of alcohol with Brimonidine+timolol is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Brimonidine+timolol.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant or already pregnant before starting Brimonidine+timolol.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not recommended to use Brimonidine+timolol during breastfeeding since Timolol can pass into breast milk and harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before starting Brimonidine+timolol.
Driving
cautionBrimonidine+timolol may cause side effects like blurry vision which could affect your ability to drive. Do not drive or operate machinery in such cases. Drive only when you are alert and have a clear vision.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Brimonidine+timolol.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Brimonidine+timolol.
Children
cautionThe dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor depending upon the condition of the children's disease and age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Wash your hands regularly. Avoid touching the eyes with dirty hands.
- Avoid rubbing the eyes.
- Avoid sharing eye makeup, such as eyeliner, mascara or kohl.
- Always use clean towels or tissues to wipe your eyes and face.
- Try to maintain good hygiene to keep your eyes clean and irritant-free.
- If you wear contact lenses, clean and replace contact lenses more often. Never share contact lenses. Always remember to wash your hands before using and removing the contact lens.
- Avoid staring at the digital screens for longer durations. Rest your eyes every 20 minutes.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Glaucoma is a common eye condition where the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, becomes damaged. It's usually caused by fluid building up in the front part of the eye, which increases pressure inside the eye. Glaucoma can lead to loss of vision if it's not diagnosed and treated early.
Open-angle glaucoma is a life-long condition and the most common type of glaucoma. It is caused by the clogging of drainage angle between iris and cornea leads to the blockage of eye fluid and increases eye pressure.
Ocular hypertension is the build-up of pressure in the eye, caused by poor drainage of the aqueous humour (fluid inside the eye that maintains normal pressure).
FAQs
Brimonidine+timolol consists of Brimonidine and Timolol. Brimonidine acts by narrowing the blood vessels that reduce the flow of aqueous humour. Timolol decreases the secretion of aqueous humour by the ciliary body in the eye, thereby causing a decrease in eye pressure. Thus Brimonidine+timolol treats open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
If you use other eye ointments/drops along with Brimonidine+timolol, it is advised to maintain a gap of at least 5-10 minutes after each administration. Also, use eye drops before applying any ointments.
Brimonidine+timolol may cause a blurry vision for some time in the beginning. Avoid driving and operating machinery in such cases until you feel better. If the effect persists longer, seek medical attention.
Apply the drops as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
