Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Allergy: Azopt (Brinzolamide) belongs to the family of medications known as sulfonamides or "sulfas." The same type of allergic reaction can occur with this medication as with other sulfonamides. Contact your doctor if you experience a skin rash while using Azopt (Brinzolamide). Stop using Azopt (Brinzolamide) and get medical attention if you experience hives; shortness of breath; peeling or blistering skin; or swelling of the mouth, lips, tongue, or throat.
Blurred vision: Azopt (Brinzolamide) may temporarily cause blurred vision. If you experience blurred vision, do not drive or operate machinery until your vision returns to normal.
Contact lenses: Azopt (Brinzolamide) contains the preservative benzalkonium chloride, which may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Contact lenses should be removed when applying these eye drops but can be reinserted 15 minutes after application.
Eye surgery, infections, and trauma: Anyone using Azopt (Brinzolamide) who has had eye surgery, trauma to the eye, or who has symptoms of an eye infection (e.g., eye redness, itchiness, discharge, crusts on the eyelids, or the feeling of something in the eye) should contact their doctor concerning further use of the eye drop.
General: As with other topically applied eye drops, Azopt (Brinzolamide) may be absorbed into the bloodstream. The same side effects reported with oral medications from the families known as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., acetazolamide, methazolamide) or sulfonamides (e.g., sulfamethoxazole) may occur with the eye drops. These side effects may include, but are not limited to, rash and nausea. Refer to the section, "What side effects are possible with Azopt (Brinzolamide)?" for more information.
Kidney function: The kidneys are partially responsible for removing Azopt (Brinzolamide) from the body. Kidney Disease or reduced kidney function may cause Azopt (Brinzolamide) to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how Azopt (Brinzolamide) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Azopt (Brinzolamide), and whether any special monitoring is needed. This medication should not be used by people with severely reduced kidney function.
Mental alertness: Azopt (Brinzolamide) may cause decreased mental alertness. Avoid performing tasks that require mental alertness until you have determined how Azopt (Brinzolamide) affects you.
Pregnancy: Azopt (Brinzolamide) should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while using Azopt (Brinzolamide), contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if Azopt (Brinzolamide) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are using Azopt (Brinzolamide), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Azopt (Brinzolamide) have not been established for children.
