Simbrinza (brinzolamide/brimonidine tartrate)

For the treatment of open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension in adults, the usual dosage of brinzolamide is 1 drop of a 1% ophthalmic suspension in the affected eye(s) 3 times daily.

If the target intraocular pressure (IOP) is not achieved, alternative or additional ocular hypotensive agents may be required. (See Uses: Ocular Hypertension and Glaucoma.) When brinzolamide is used in fixed combination with brimonidine tartrate, the usual adult dosage is 1 drop of an ophthalmic suspension containing brinzolamide 1% and brimonidine tartrate 0.2% in the affected eye(s) 3 times daily. Because of the potential for additive systemic effects, combined use of topical brinzolamide and an oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (e.g., acetazolamide, dichlorphenamide, methazolamide) is not recommended by the manufacturer.

Brimonidine tartrate is applied topically to the eye as an ophthalmic solution. Brimonidine tartrate also is commercially available in fixed combination with brinzolamide (as an ophthalmic suspension) and in fixed combination with timolol (as an ophthalmic solution) for topical application to the eye.

Although topical brimonidine has been administered twice daily as an ocular hypotensive agent in certain clinical studies, reductions in intraocular pressure (IOP) induced by the drug appear to diminish 8 hours following administration. Therefore, the manufacturers recommend administering brimonidine tartrate 0.1, 0.15, or 0.2% ophthalmic solution 3 times daily at intervals of approximately 8 hours. The fixed-combination ophthalmic suspension containing brinzolamide and brimonidine tartrate also is administered 3 times daily. However, when used in fixed combination with timolol, brimonidine is administered twice daily at intervals of approximately 12 hours. For self-medication for temporary relief of ocular redness, brimonidine tartrate 0.025% may be administered up to 4 times daily.

The fixed-combination ophthalmic suspension containing brinzolamide and brimonidine tartrate should be shaken well prior to use.

Care should be taken to avoid contamination of the dispensing container. (See Bacterial Keratitis under Cautions: Warnings/Precautions.)

Some brimonidine ophthalmic preparations contain benzalkonium chloride, which may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Contact lenses should be removed prior to administration of each dose of these preparations, but may be reinserted 15 minutes after the dose. The manufacturer of brimonidine tartrate 0.025% ophthalmic solution states that contact lenses may be reinserted 10 minutes after the dose.

If the patient is receiving more than one topical ophthalmic preparation, the preparations should be administered at least 5 minutes apart.

No dosing information is available for this tab.

No formal drug interaction studies have been performed.

There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.

There are no severe interactions for this drug.

Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed.

Brinzolamide/Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors

SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Brinzolamide and other carbonic anhydrase inhibitors cause a decrease in aqueous humor secretion by slowing the formation of bicarbonate ions with a subsequent reduction of sodium and fluid transport which results in a reduction of intraocular pressure.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: If brinzolamide is given with other carbonic anhydrase inhibitors it may cause electrolyte disturbances, because brinzolamide can be absorbed systemically.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Patients with conditions that predispose to acidosis (such as renal disease, severe respiratory disorders, status epilepticus, diarrhea, and being on a ketogenic diet) may be at increased risk of experiencing adverse effects from concurrent carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: It is not recommended to use brinzolamide with systemic carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

DISCUSSION: Although no human data is available, electrolyte imbalance, development of an acidotic state, and possible nervous system effects may occur following oral administration of brinzolamide and another carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.(1)

Brinzolamide is contraindicated in patient with known hypersensitivity to the drug or any ingredient in the formulation.

Brimonidine is contraindicated in neonates and infants younger than 2 years of age. (See Pediatric Use under Warnings/Precautions: Specific Populations, in Cautions.) Brimonidine also is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug or any ingredient in the formulation.

There are no contraindication contraindications for this drug.

There are no severe contraindications for this drug.

• Buerger's disease
• Cerebrovascular disorder
• Depression
• No disease contraindications
• Orthostatic hypotension
• Raynaud's phenomenon

Adverse effects reported in approximately 1-10% of patients receiving brinzolamide include blurred vision, taste abnormality (bitter, sour, or unusual taste), blepharitis, dermatitis, dry eye, foreign body sensation, headache, hyperemia, ocular discharge, ocular discomfort, ocular keratitis, ocular pain, ocular pruritus, and rhinitis.

Adverse effects reported in approximately 10-30% of patients receiving brimonidine tartrate 0.1-0.2% ophthalmic solution include oral dryness, ocular or conjunctival hyperemia, burning and stinging, allergic conjunctivitis, headache, blurring, foreign body sensation, fatigue/drowsiness, conjunctival follicles, ocular allergic reactions, and ocular pruritus. In addition, corneal staining/erosion, photophobia, eyelid erythema, ocular ache/pain, ocular dryness, tearing, upper respiratory symptoms, eyelid edema, conjunctival edema, dizziness, blepharitis, ocular irritation, GI symptoms, hypertension, asthenia, conjunctival blanching, abnormal vision, visual disturbances, and muscular pain have been reported in approximately 3-9% of patients receiving brimonidine tartrate 0.1-0.2% ophthalmic solution.

Adverse effects reported in approximately 1-4% of patients receiving brimonidine tartrate 0.025% ophthalmic solution include decreased visual acuity, conjunctival or ocular hyperemia, dry eye, instillation site pain, and headache.

More Frequent

• Conjunctival hyperemia
• Follicular conjunctivitis
• Headache disorder
• Ocular itching
• Ocular redness

Less Frequent

• Allergic dermatitis
• Blepharitis
• Blepharitis
• Blurred vision
• Chemosis
• Chest pain
• Conjunctival hemorrhage
• Corneal erosion
• Depression
• Diabetes mellitus
• Dizziness
• Erythema
• Eyelid edema
• Gastrointestinal irritation
• Headache disorder
• Hypertension
• Keratitis
• Mucopurulent conjunctivitis
• Myalgia
• Nasal congestion
• Nausea
• Ocular discharge
• Ocular discomfort
• Ocular pain
• Ocular pain
• Rhinitis
• Sneezing
• Syncope
• Visual changes
• Vitreous detachment
• Vomiting

Rare or Very Rare

• Alopecia
• Bradycardia
• Chest pain
• Conjunctivitis
• Diplopia
• Disorder of cornea
• Dizziness
• Dyspnea
• Eyelid edema
• Hypertonia
• Hypotension
• Keratoconjunctivitis
• Ocular inflammation
• Ocular itching
• Pharyngitis
• Renal colic
• Stevens-johnson syndrome
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis
• Urticaria

More Frequent

• Allergic conjunctivitis
• Blurred vision
• Drowsy
• Dysgeusia
• Eye tearing
• Fatigue
• Ocular irritation
• Xerostomia

Less Frequent

• Acute abdominal pain
• Arthralgia
• Arthritis
• Blepharoconjunctivitis
• Bronchitis
• Cataracts
• Conjunctival blanching
• Conjunctivitis
• Corneal staining
• Cough
• Dry eye
• Dry eye
• Dysgeusia
• Dyspepsia
• Dyspnea
• Eyelid crusting
• Eyelid erythema
• Foreign body sensation of eye
• General weakness
• Hypercholesterolemia
• Hypotension
• Infection
• Insomnia
• Keratitis
• Muscle weakness
• Ocular discharge
• Ocular discomfort
• Ocular hypertension
• Osteoporosis
• Palpitations
• Pharyngitis
• Photophobia
• Rhinitis
• Sinusitis
• Skin rash
• Symptoms of anxiety
• Visual field defect
• Vitreous floater

Rare or Very Rare

• Arthralgia
• Bronchitis
• Cough
• Depression
• Dry nose
• Epistaxis
• Hypoesthesia
• Iritis
• Nausea
• Sinusitis
• Skin inflammation
• Skin rash
• Tinnitus

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Safety and efficacy of topical ophthalmic brinzolamide have not been established in children. A 3-month controlled clinical trial in 32 pediatric patients 4 weeks to 5 years of age failed to demonstrate intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering efficacy of twice-daily topical administration of brinzolamide 1%. Patients were not required to discontinue their current IOP-lowering therapy until initiation of monotherapy with brinzolamide. The mean decrease in elevated IOP with brinzolamide therapy was 0-2 mm Hg. An increase in corneal diameter of 1 mm was observed in 5 patients.

Safety and efficacy of topical brimonidine tartrate for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension in pediatric patients younger than 2 years of age have not been established. Because potentially serious adverse effects, including apnea, bradycardia, coma, hypotension, hypothermia, hypotonia, lethargy, pallor, respiratory depression, and somnolence, have been reported in infants treated with topical brimonidine tartrate, use of the drug is contraindicated in infants younger than 2 years of age. In a well-controlled clinical study in children 2-7 years of age with glaucoma who received brimonidine tartrate 0.2% ophthalmic solution 3 times daily, the most commonly observed adverse effects were somnolence and decreased mental alertness; approximately 16% of these children discontinued therapy because of somnolence. The incidence of somnolence generally appeared to be age and weight related, occurring in 50-83% of children 2-6 years of age and 25% of those 7 years of age who weighed more than 20 kg.

The individual components of brinzolamide and brimonidine tartrate fixed-combination ophthalmic suspension have been studied in pediatric patients 4 weeks to 5 years of age (brinzolamide) and 2-7 years of age (brimonidine).

Safety and efficacy of brimonidine tartrate and timolol fixed-combination ophthalmic solution in pediatric patients 2-16 years of age have been established based on evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies of the fixed combination in adults and additional data from a study evaluating the individually administered drugs (brimonidine tartrate 0.2% administered 3 times daily as an adjunct to timolol therapy) in children 2-7 years of age with glaucoma.

Safety and efficacy of brimonidine tartrate 0.025% ophthalmic solution for self-medication for relief of ocular redness due to minor irritation have not been established in children younger than 5 years of age. Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients 5 years of age or older are supported by evidence from controlled clinical trials in adults and additional data from a safety study that included both adults and pediatric patients 5 years of age or older.

Following oral administration of radiolabeled brinzolamide in rats, radioactivity crossed the placenta and was detected in fetal circulation and tissues. In studies in rats, no drug-related malformations or effects on organ or tissue development were observed, and reductions in fetal body weight were proportional to reductions in maternal weight gain. In developmental toxicity studies in rabbits, a slight increase in the number of fetal variations (e.g., accessory skull bones) was observed.

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of brinzolamide to date in pregnant women. Brinzolamide should be used during pregnancy only if potential benefits to the woman justify the potential risk to the fetus.

In studies in animals, brimonidine crossed the placenta and entered the fetal circulation to a limited extent; no evidence of teratogenicity was observed. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of brimonidine to date in pregnant women. Brimonidine should be used during pregnancy only if potential benefits to the woman justify the potential risk to the fetus.

Brinzolamide is distributed into milk in rats following oral administration. It is not known whether brinzolamide is distributed into human milk following topical application to the eye. A decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the woman.

Brimonidine is distributed into milk in animals. It is not known whether brimonidine is distributed into human milk following topical application to the eye. A decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the woman.

No overall differences in safety and efficacy of topical ophthalmic brinzolamide have been observed between geriatric patients and younger adults.

No substantial differences in safety and efficacy have been observed between geriatric patients and younger adults.