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 Simbrinza.
Allergy: 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 Simbrinza. Stop using Simbrinza 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: This medication may temporarily cause blurred vision. If you experience blurred vision, do not drive or operate machinery until your vision returns to normal.
Contact lenses: This medication 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: If you have had eye surgery, trauma to the eye, or symptoms of an eye infection (e.g., eye redness, itchiness, discharge, crusts on the eyelids, or the feeling of something in the eye), talk your doctor about whether you should continue taking Simbrinza.
General: As with other topically applied eye drops, Simbrinza 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 these eye drops. The side effects may include rash and nausea.
Depression: If you have clinical depression or a history of depression, discuss with your doctor how Simbrinza may affect your medical condition and whether any special monitoring is needed. You may need to visit your doctor more often to ensure that Simbrinza is not making your condition worse.
Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Brimonidine may cause temporary fatigue and drowsiness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or engage in any potentially hazardous activities until you determine how Simbrinza affects you.
Kidney function: The use of Simbrinza by people with Kidney Disease has not been studied. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how Simbrinza may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Simbrinza, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Liver function: The use of brinzolamide-brimonidine eye drops by people with liver disease has not been studied. If you have reduced liver function or liver disease, discuss with your doctor how Simbrinza may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Simbrinza, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Orthostatic hypotension: Orthostatic hypotension, also known as postural hypotension, is a drop in blood pressure when getting up from a lying position. This may happen to people using brimonidine eye drops. If you experience this, rise slowly from a lying or sitting position when using brimonidine.
Raynaud's disease: Raynaud's disease is a disorder of the small blood vessels that feed the skin. If you have Raynaud's disease, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Simbrinza, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Severe cardiovascular (heart) disease: Although brimonidine typically has little effect on blood pressure and heart rate, it may lower blood pressure and heart rate (pulse) if you have severe heart disease. If you have severe heart disease, discuss with your doctor how Simbrinza may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Simbrinza, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Thromboangiitis obliterans: Thromboangiitis obliterans is a condition causing inflammation of small- and medium-sized arteries and veins. If you have thromboangiitis obliterans, discuss with your doctor how Simbrinza may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Simbrinza, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Pregnancy: Simbrinza should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Simbrinza, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if brinzolamide - brimonidine passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Simbrinza, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children:The safety and effectiveness of using Simbrinza have not been established for children.
