Brinzolamide

About Brinzolamide

Brinzolamide blocks carbonic anhydrase in the ciliary body, the part of the eye that makes the fluid inside it. Less fluid means lower pressure and less risk of optic nerve damage and vision loss. It works the same way as dorzolamide and is used alone or alongside other glaucoma drops. It is a suspension rather than a solution, so the bottle has to be shaken well before each use.

Brief blurred vision after the drop and a bitter, sour or unusual taste are the most common side effects; dry eyes, headache and a runny nose are also reported. Brinzolamide is a sulfonamide and is absorbed into the body, so serious sulfa reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome are possible, and it is stopped at the first sign of one. It is not recommended in severe kidney impairment, can cause corneal swelling in people whose corneal lining cells are already reduced, and has not been studied in acute angle-closure glaucoma. There is no boxed warning.

Brinzolamide is also combined with brimonidine in Simbrinza, a separate brand-name drop that cannot be substituted for plain brinzolamide.

Taking Brinzolamide

How to take it

One drop in the affected eye or eyes three times a day, shaking the bottle well first. Remove contact lenses before the drop and wait 15 minutes before putting them back, because the preservative can be absorbed by soft lenses. Wait at least 10 minutes between different eye drops, and do not let the tip touch the eye. Take care driving until any blurring clears.

If you miss a dose

Use it when you remember, unless the next dose is almost due; then skip it and carry on as usual. Do not use extra drops to make up.

Storage

Between 39°F and 86°F (4°C to 30°C), capped, out of reach of children.

Interactions to know about

Oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors such as acetazolamide are not recommended with it because the effects add up, and high-dose aspirin needs care. Stop it and seek care for a rash, blistering, or swelling of the face or throat. Tell the prescriber about a sulfa allergy, severe kidney disease or corneal problems.

This summarizes the official prescribing information. Your prescriber’s and pharmacist’s instructions, and the leaflet that comes with your medicine, take priority.

Why the cash price for Brinzolamide differs from pharmacy to pharmacy

Only a few companies make generic brinzolamide, so there is less price competition than for long-established generic eye drops, and cash quotes can differ widely. The authorized generic comes from the company that sells Azopt, and a pharmacy that stocks only the brand will quote a brand price. Because the drop is used three times a day, a bottle runs out sooner than a twice-daily drop would, so the bottle size decides how often you pay a dispensing fee.

Ways to pay less for Brinzolamide without insurance

• Ask for generic brinzolamide rather than Azopt, and make sure the prescription allows substitution.
• Ask the pharmacy to quote both bottle sizes; the larger one means fewer fills.
• If cost is a problem, ask your eye doctor whether generic dorzolamide, which works the same way, would suit you.
• Upload the prescription to Script Unlock so licensed pharmacies can quote their cash price. You pay the pharmacy directly.

Questions to ask your pharmacist about Brinzolamide

1. 1.Is this generic brinzolamide or Azopt, and which bottle size?
2. 2.How long should I wait between this and my other eye drops?
3. 3.Is it safe with my sulfa allergy?
4. 4.How long does the blurring last before I can drive?
5. 5.How long will one bottle last for my dose?

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