Brinzolamide+timolol
About
Brinzolamide+timolol belongs to a class of anti-glaucoma agents used to treat increased pressure in the eye in conditions such as glaucoma (damage of optic nerve) and ocular hypertension (high fluid pressure inside the eye). Glaucoma is an eye condition that causes damage to the optic nerve (essential for good vision) due to abnormally increased pressure in the eye. Ocular hypertension is increased pressure in the eye due to poor drainage of aqueous humour (fluid in the eye that maintains normal pressure by its continuous flow).
Brinzolamide+timolol is a combination of two drugs, namely Brinzolamide (carbonic anhydrase inhibitor) and Timolol (beta-blocker). Brinzolamide+timolol works by decreasing the secretion of aqueous humour (a liquid that maintains normal pressure in the eyeball) by the ciliary body into the eyeball and lowers the pressure in the eye by reducing aqueous humour entry into the eyeball.
Use Brinzolamide+timolol as advised by your doctor. Brinzolamide+timolol is only for use in eyes. Do not swallow or inject Brinzolamide+timolol. Your doctor will advise you how many drops to instil based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience redness, burning, itching, tearing or irritation in the eyes, blurred vision or eye pain. Most of these side effects of Brinzolamide+timolol do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects worsen or persist, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Brinzolamide+timolol or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Brinzolamide+timolol is not recommended for children below 18 years of age. You are advised to remove soft contact lenses before using Brinzolamide+timolol as it may cause discolouration of the soft contact lens. If you get any new eye problem, eye infection or notice any allergic reactions such as itching or redness of the eye and skin rash, please consult your doctor immediately. You are advised to maintain 5 minutes time gap between using Brinzolamide+timolol and other eye drops.
Uses of Brinzolamide+timolol
Medicinal Benefits
Brinzolamide+timolol contains Brinzolamide (carbonic anhydrase inhibitor) and Timolol (beta-blocker). Brinzolamide+timolol decreases the secretion of aqueous humor (a liquid that maintains normal pressure in the eyeball) by the ciliary body into the eyeball and lowers the pressure in the eye by reducing aqueous humor entry into the eyeball.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Brinzolamide+timolol
- Redness, burning, itching, tearing or irritation in the eyes
- Blurred vision
- Eye pain
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Brinzolamide+timolol or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Brinzolamide+timolol is not recommended for children below 18 years of age. You are advised to remove soft contact lenses before using Brinzolamide+timolol as it may cause discolouration of the soft contact lens. If you get any new eye problem, an eye infection, or notice any allergic reactions such as itching or redness of the eye and skin rash, please consult your doctor immediately. You are advised to maintain 5 minutes time gap between using Brinzolamide+timolol and other eye drops. Do not touch the container tip to the eye, eyelids, or surrounding areas as it may contaminate Brinzolamide+timolol and cause eye infections.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Inform your doctor if you are taking heart-related medicines (quinidine, amiodarone), antidepressants (paroxetine, fluoxetine), carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (dorzolamide, acetazolamide), medicines for severe allergic reaction (adrenaline).
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have dry eyes, cornea problems, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, atopy (a tendency to develop allergic reaction), Raynaud's disease or Raynaud's syndrome (poor blood circulation), diabetes, myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness), kidney or liver problems, before taking Brinzolamide+timolol.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionInteraction of alcohol with Brinzolamide+timolol is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Brinzolamide+timolol.
Pregnancy
cautionBrinzolamide+timolol is a Category C pregnancy drug and is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless your doctor considers it essential.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAvoid breastfeeding while taking Brinzolamide+timolol. Please consult a doctor before using Brinzolamide+timolol in breastfeeding mothers.
Driving
cautionBrinzolamide+timolol may cause blurred vision in some people. So, drive only when your vision is clear after using Brinzolamide+timolol.
Liver
cautionIf you have any concerns regarding the use of Brinzolamide+timolol in patients with liver problems, please consult a doctor.
Kidney
cautionIf you have any concerns regarding the use of Brinzolamide+timolol in patients with kidney problems, please consult a doctor.
Children
unsafeBrinzolamide+timolol is not recommended for children below 18 years of age as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid intake of baked foods such as cakes, cookies, donuts, or fried items such as French fries and stick margarine as these foods may worsen glaucoma and damage the optic nerve.
- Cut down your coffee intake as it may increase pressure in the eye and replace coffee with green tea.
- Avoid exercises such as any position where the head is lower than the body like an inverted yoga pose as it may increase pressure in the eye. Doing selective exercises is advised for glaucoma patients.
Special Advise
You are recommended to avoid wearing contact lenses while using Brinzolamide+timolol as it may cause discolouration of soft contact lenses.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Glaucoma is an eye condition that causes damage to the optic nerve (essential for good vision) due to abnormally increased pressure in the eye. If it is not treated in time, it may cause blindness. Usually, there are no symptoms of glaucoma initially except the slow loss of vision gradually. However, some symptoms include visible rainbow-coloured circles around bright lights or blurred vision. Rarely glaucoma can develop suddenly with intense pain in the eye, visual disturbance, or nausea. Ocular hypertension is a condition caused due to poor drainage of aqueous humor (fluid in the eye that maintains normal pressure by its continuous flow). This leads to the build-up of excess fluid in the eye resulting in increased pressure inside the eye without any damage to the optic nerve. If ocular hypertension is not controlled, it may lead to glaucoma.
FAQs
Brinzolamide+timolol contains Brinzolamide and Timolol that works by reducing the secretion of aqueous humour (a liquid that maintains normal pressure in the eyeball) and lowers the pressure in the eye by reducing aqueous humour entry into the eyeball.
You are recommended to wash your hands first and tilt your head back and gently pull the lower eyelid downwards. Then, press the bottom of the bottle gently by holding it upside down to instil one drop into the affected eye without touching the tip of bottle to eye or surrounding areas in order to avoid contamination. Finally, replace the cap tightly after use. After applying Brinzolamide+timolol, you are advised to apply to the corner of the eye by pressing a finger to stop eye drops spreading into rest of the body.
No, you are not recommended to wear contact lenses while using Brinzolamide+timolol as it contains benzalkonium chloride, a preservative that changes the colour of contact lens as it may be absorbed by soft contact lens. Benzalkonium chloride also causes irritation in the eye especially if you have disorders of cornea (transparent layer at the front of eye) or dry eyes. Therefore, you are advised to remove contact lenses before applying Brinzolamide+timolol and reinsert after 15 minutes of using Brinzolamide+timolol. Also, inform your doctor if you experience pain, stinging or abnormal sensation in the eye after using Brinzolamide+timolol.
You are recommended to maintain a minimum of 5 minutes time gap between using Brinzolamide+timolol and other eye drops and administer eye ointments in the last.
Brinzolamide+timolol may cause temporary blurred vision. Therefore, you are recommended to wait until your vision is clear before driving or operating heavy machinery.
You are not recommended to stop using Brinzolamide+timolol without consulting your doctor as it may increase pressure in the eyes and may lead to loss of vision. Therefore, use Brinzolamide+timolol for as long as your doctor has prescribed it and if you experience any difficulty while taking Brinzolamide+timolol, please consult your doctor.
