Note: This document contains side effect information about brimonidine / brinzolamide ophthalmic. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Simbrinza.
Applies to brimonidine/brinzolamide ophthalmic: ophthalmic suspension.
Serious side effects of Simbrinza
Along with its needed effects, brimonidine/brinzolamide ophthalmic may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking brimonidine / brinzolamide ophthalmic:
More common
- Blurred vision
- discoloration of the white part of the eye
- eye irritation or redness
Less common
- Decreased vision
- eye pain
- eyes sensitive to light
- red, sore eyes
Rare
- Burning, dry, or itching eyes
- discharge or excessive tearing
- hives or welts
- redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
- skin rash
Incidence not known
- Chest pain, discomfort, or tightness
- constricted, pinpoint, or small pupils (black part of the eye)
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- fever
- hoarseness
- irritation
- itching
- joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
- lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
- redness of the skin
- slow or irregular heartbeat
- swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
- tearing
- throbbing pain
- trouble breathing or swallowing
- unusual tiredness
Incidence not known
- Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- chills
- cough
- diarrhea
- muscle pain
- red irritated eyes
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking brimonidine / brinzolamide ophthalmic:
Symptoms of overdose
- Confusion
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- muscle cramps or pain
- numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands or feet
- seizures
- sweating
- trembling
- weakness and heaviness of the legs
Other side effects of Simbrinza
Some side effects of brimonidine / brinzolamide ophthalmic may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Burning and stinging sensation
- change in color vision
- change in taste
- difficulty seeing at night
- drowsiness
- feeling of having something in the eye
- headache
- increase in blood flow to the whites of the eyes
- increased sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight
- lack or loss of strength
- loss of taste
- paleness of the eye or inner lining of the eyelid
- redness and tiny bumps on the lining of the eyelid
Less common
- Dry eyes
- dry mouth
- muscle pain
- sneezing
- stuffy or runny nose
- trouble sleeping
Rare
- Acid or sour stomach
- belching
- body aches or pain
- cough
- crusting in the corner of the eye
- double vision
- dryness or soreness of the throat
- excessive muscle tone
- hair loss or thinning of the hair
- heartburn
- hoarseness
- indigestion
- muscle stiffness, tension, or tightness
- nausea
- stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
- tender, swollen glands in the neck
- voice changes
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to brimonidine / brinzolamide ophthalmic: ophthalmic suspension.
Cardiovascular
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cardio-respiratory distress, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, palpitations, irregular heart rate, bradycardia, tachycardia, hypotension, chest discomfort
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hypertension
Frequency not reported: Chest pain
Postmarketing reports: Pallor[Ref]
Dermatologic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Contact dermatitis, urticaria, rash, maculo-papular rash, generalized pruritus, alopecia, skin tightness
Frequency not reported: Dermatitis, erythema[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Common (1% to 10%): Dry mouth
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dyspepsia, esophagitis, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, frequent bowel movements, flatulence, oral hypoesthesia, oral paresthesia[Ref]
General
The most commonly reported side effects were blurred vision, ocular hyperemia, eye allergy, dry mouth, and dysgeusia.[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Back pain, muscle spasms, myalgia
Frequency not reported: Arthralgia, pain in extremity[Ref]
Nervous system
Common (1% to 10%): Somnolence, dizziness, dysgeusia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Headache, motor dysfunction, amnesia, memory impairment, paresthesia, vertigo, tinnitus, feeling jittery
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Syncope
Frequency not reported: Tremor, hypoesthesia, ageusia
Postmarketing reports: Coma, lethargy[Ref]
Ocular
Common (1% to 10%): Eye allergy, keratitis, eye pain, ocular discomfort, blurred vision, abnormal vision, ocular hyperemia, conjunctival blanching
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Corneal erosion, corneal edema, blepharitis, corneal deposits (keratic precipitates), conjunctival disorder (papilla) , photophobia, photopsia, eye swelling, eyelid edema, conjunctival edema, dry eye, eye discharge, reduced visual acuity, increased lacrimation, pterygium, erythema of eyelid, meibomianitis, diplopia, glare, eye hypoesthesia, scleral pigmentation, subconjunctival cyst, abnormal sensation in eye, asthenopia
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Uveitis, miosis
Frequency not reported: Visual disturbances, madarosis
Postmarketing reports: Iritis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca[Ref]
Other
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pain, feeling abnormal, irritability
Frequency not reported: Face edema, peripheral edema
Postmarketing reports: Hypothermia[Ref]
Psychiatric
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Apathy, depression, insomnia, nightmare, nervousness[Ref]
Renal
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Renal pain
Frequency not reported: Pollakiuria[Ref]
Respiratory
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nasopharyngitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, dyspnea, bronchial hyperactivity, pharyngolaryngeal pain, dry throat, cough, epistaxis, upper respiratory tract congestion, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, throat irritation, nasal dryness, postnasal drip, sneezing
Frequency not reported: Rhinitis, asthma
Postmarketing reports: Apnea, respiratory depression[Ref]
Genitourinary
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Decreased libido, erectile dysfunction[Ref]
Hematologic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Decreased red blood cell, increased blood chloride[Ref]
Hepatic
Frequency not reported: Abnormal liver function[Ref]