Azopt (for the eyes) is used to treat certain types of glaucoma and other causes of high pressure inside the eye.

Azopt may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Do not use while wearing soft contact lenses. A preservative in this medicine could permanently stain the lenses. Use the medicine at least 15 minutes before inserting your contact lenses.

Wash your hands before using eye medication.

Shake the eye drops well just before each use.

To apply the eye drops: Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the dropper above the eye and squeeze a drop into this pocket. Close your eyes for 1 or 2 minutes.

Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed. Wait at least 10 minutes before using any other eye drops your doctor has prescribed.

Do not touch the tip of the eye dropper or place it directly on your eye. A contaminated dropper can infect your eye, which could lead to serious vision problems.

Tell your doctor right away if you have an eye infection, injury, or plan to have any type of eye surgery. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Store at room temperature. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

You should not use Azopt if you are allergic to brinzolamide.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• narrow-angle glaucoma;

• an allergy to sulfa drugs; or

• kidney disease.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

An overdose of Azopt is not expected to be dangerous. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.

Azopt may cause blurred vision and may impair your reactions. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you.

Do not use other eye medications unless your doctor tells you to.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Azopt may cause serious side effects. Stop using Azopt and call your doctor at once if you have:

• eye pain, redness, or swelling;

• sensitivity to light;

• the feeling of something is in your eye;

• stomach pain (upper right side);

• jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes); or

• signs of eye infection--swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting or drainage.

Common side effects of Azopt may include:

• blurred vision; or

• a bitter or unusual taste in your mouth.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor if you use any other glaucoma medications.

Other drugs may affect Azopt, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.