Brinzolamide

Introduction

Written by Ashley Wong, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Christina Bookwalter PharmD, MS MEd, BCPS, BCACP
Updated on October 10, 2023

Brinzolamide (brin ZOH la mide) is a generic medication prescribed for increased pressure in the eye. This pressure results from certain eye conditions. Brinzolamide belongs to a group of drugs called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved brinzolamide for use in adults. Specifically, it treats increased pressure in the eye resulting from either of these conditions:

• ocular hypertension
• open-angle glaucoma

Side effects of brinzolamide

Brinzolamide may cause mild or serious side effects. This section presents the more common mild side effects of brinzolamide and its serious side effects. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about brinzolamide’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for brinzolamide listed in the ”Resources“ section.

Mild side effects

The list below includes the more common mild side effects reported with brinzolamide. 

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about brinzolamide’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for brinzolamide listed in the ”Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Brinzolamide eye drops’ mild side effects include:

• blurry vision
• bitter, sour, or unusual taste in your mouth
• blepharitis (inflamed eyelids)
• dry eye
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for brinzolamide” section.

Serious side effects

The list below includes the serious side effects reported with brinzolamide.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about brinzolamide’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for brinzolamide listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number. 

In general, brinzolamide’s serious side effects include:

• hair loss
• chest pain
• pink eye
• shortness of breath
• stiff muscles
• inflammation or disease affecting the cornea
• kidney pain
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for brinzolamide” section.

Common questions about brinzolamide

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about brinzolamide.

What brand names are available for brinzolamide?

The brand-name version of brinzolamide is Azopt. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less than brand-name drugs.

If you have more questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is it safe to use brinzolamide with timolol?

Yes, brinzolamide and timolol can be used together. In fact, a combination medication is available that contains both drugs. This combination medication is available only as a generic medication in the United States. 

Brinzolamide and timolol work differently to treat increased pressure in the eye. And each drug has its own risks.

If you have questions about whether this combination of medications is right for you, talk with your doctor.

Are there any alternatives to brinzolamide?

Yes, several other prescription drugs are available for treating increased pressure in the eye. Some examples include dorzolamide (Trusopt), bimatoprost (Lumigan), and travoprost (Travatan Z). Certain drugs may be a better option for you than others. 

To learn more about alternatives to brinzolamide, talk with your doctor.

How does brinzolamide work? And how long does it take to start working?

Brinzolamide treats increased pressure in the eye by blocking a specific protein in it. Doing so causes your eye to make less fluid, which decreases the pressure in the eye.

Brinzolamide starts to work as soon as you instill a drop into your eye. But you might not notice any effect right after instilling a drop. It may take up to 4 weeks for brinzolamide to reach its full effect when used twice daily. This is because brinzolamide decreases the pressure in your eye over time. The decreased pressure keeps your vision from worsening.

An article about Azopt, the brand-name version of brinzolamide, further discusses how brinzolamide works. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more. 

Interactions and warnings for brinzolamide

Below you’ll find information about brinzolamide’s possible interactions and warnings. 

Interactions of brinzolamide

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or using the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction. 

Before you use brinzolamide, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for brinzolamide” section below.

Warnings for brinzolamide

Brinzolamide could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether brinzolamide is a safe option for you. 

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for brinzolamide, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Brinzolamide can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to brinzolamide or any of its ingredients, your doctor likely will not prescribe brinzolamide. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems 

If you have an allergic reaction to brinzolamide, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of brinzolamide

You should not use more brinzolamide than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve used too much brinzolamide, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have symptoms that concern you, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and brinzolamide

Information about brinzolamide and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Brinzolamide and pregnancy

It’s not known whether brinzolamide should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication. 

Brinzolamide and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether brinzolamide should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication. 

Uses of brinzolamide

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as brinzolamide for certain conditions. Approved uses for brinzolamide are described below. 

Use for increased pressure in the eye

Doctors may prescribe brinzolamide eye drops for treating increased pressure in the eye. This pressure results from ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma. It’s used for this purpose in adults. Doctors usually prescribe it as a long-term treatment.

Our eyes contain fluid. If the fluid doesn’t drain properly from the eye, the pressure in your eye can increase. When too much fluid builds up, it causes ocular hypertension. This can lead to eye conditions such as glaucoma. Ocular hypertension usually doesn’t cause any symptoms. So it’s important to have your eyes checked regularly by an eye doctor. 

The typical cause of glaucoma is high pressure inside the eye. Without treatment, this can damage your optic nerve and cause loss of vision. Open-angle glaucoma lasts long term and causes loss of vision gradually.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about brinzolamide or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Is it safe to use brinzolamide with other eye drops?
• How does brinzolamide compare with other eye drops prescribed for decreasing eye pressure?
• Is it safe to use brinzolamide if I wear contact lenses?
• Does brinzolamide need to be stored in the refrigerator?

Resources

• Brinzolamide. (2021). https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/brinzolamide/
• Brinzolamide ophthalmic suspension 1%, for topical ophthalmic use. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/37b19837-fcab-4536-abad-6f4f92dfe794/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.