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

Brinzolamide ophthalmic 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.

Usual Adult Dose for Intraocular Hypertension:

One drop in the affected eye(s) three times a day

Comments:
-If more than one topical ophthalmic drug is being used, the drugs should be administered at least 10 minutes apart.

Use: Treatment of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma

Usual Adult Dose for Glaucoma (Open Angle):

One drop in the affected eye(s) three times a day

Comments:
-If more than one topical ophthalmic drug is being used, the drugs should be administered at least 10 minutes apart.

Use: Treatment of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma

You should not use brinzolamide ophthalmic 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 brinzolamide ophthalmic 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.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

brinzolamide ophthalmic 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).

brinzolamide ophthalmic may cause serious side effects. Stop using brinzolamide ophthalmic 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 brinzolamide ophthalmic 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 brinzolamide ophthalmic, 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.

Keep all appointments with your doctor. Your doctor will order certain eye tests to check your response to brinzolamide eye drops.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.