Azarga (Brinzolamide And Timolol Maleate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Azarga Used For?
Azarga is an eye drop medication that combines two active ingredients to treat serious eye conditions that can damage your vision if left untreated.
Primary Uses
Azarga treats high pressure inside your eye and open angle glaucoma, which is an eye condition caused by fluid buildup that damages the optic nerve.
How It Works
The two active ingredients in Azarga work together to reduce fluid production within the eye. Brinzolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and timolol maleate is a beta-blocker.
How to Take Azarga
Azarga must be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Proper technique is important for the medication to work effectively and safely.
Dosage Instructions
Put one drop of Azarga in the conjunctival sac of the affected eye(s) twice daily. Do not exceed one drop per affected eye twice daily. Remove contact lenses before use and wait 15 minutes before putting them back in. Shake the bottle well before each use. After applying, close your eyes gently for 2 minutes and press your finger against the inside corner of your eye near your nose for about two minutes to prevent the medicine from draining away.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose at the usual time, continue with the next dose as planned. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Important: Never double your dose if you miss one. This could lead to serious side effects.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Temporary blurred vision
- Eye pain
- Bitter or unusual taste in mouth
- Dry eyes
- Eye irritation
- Feeling something is in your eye
- Eye discharge
- Eye itching
- Light sensitivity
- Excessive tearing
- Vision problems
- Eyelid swelling
- Cough
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe light sensitivity with eye pain
- Allergic reaction symptoms (shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue, rash, hives)
- Nosebleeds with weakness
- Persistent ear noises (buzzing, ringing)
- Severe skin blisters and bleeding in lips, eyes, mouth, nose
- Skin rash or redness
- Slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat
Important Warnings
Azarga has several important warnings and is not suitable for everyone. Make sure your doctor knows about all your medical conditions.
Who Should Not Take Azarga
Do not use Azarga if you are allergic to brinzolamide, other sulphonamides, timolol maleate, or any ingredients in the medication. Do not use if you have respiratory problems like asthma, heart problems including irregular heartbeat or heart disease, kidney problems, or if you are under 18 years old.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have diabetes or low blood sugar, thyroid problems, blood circulation issues or low blood pressure, history of allergic reactions, other types of glaucoma, cornea problems, skin conditions, or blood vessel problems.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your doctor will advise you about the possible risks and benefits of using Azarga during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Surgery Alert: Tell your doctor immediately if you are going to have any surgery while using Azarga.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with Azarga and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
- Blood pressure or heart medications (beta-blockers like Metoprolol, calcium channel blockers, digitalis glycosides, Pilocarpine)
- Digoxin for heart failure
- Irregular heartbeat medications (amiodarone, quinidine)
- NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Aspirin, salicylates)
- Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (acetazolamide)
- Antifungal medicines (ketoconazole, itraconazole, clotrimazole)
- Ritonavir for HIV
- Cimetidine for stomach ulcers
- Clonidine for high blood pressure and migraines
- Other glaucoma medications or eye drops
- Adrenaline for severe allergic reactions
- Diabetes medications
Alcohol & Driving
Azarga can affect your ability to perform certain activities safely. Be aware of how this medication affects you before engaging in activities requiring alertness.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Azarga may impair your ability to perform tasks requiring mental alertness and physical coordination. It can also cause temporary blurred vision or other visual problems. Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Azarga affects you. If blurred vision occurs, wait until your vision clears before driving or using machinery.
Storage
Store Azarga below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Do not freeze. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children. Always keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use. Discard the eye drops 4 weeks after opening.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Azarga, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort. If you accidentally put several drops in your eyes, immediately wash your eyes with warm tap water.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication helps reduce fluid production within the eye, but the source doesn’t specify exact timing. Your doctor will monitor your eye pressure to determine if the medication is working effectively.
You must remove soft contact lenses before using Azarga eye drops. Wait 15 minutes after using the drops before putting your contact lenses back in. Benzalkonium chloride in Azarga may cause eye irritation and discolor soft contact lenses.
A bitter or unusual taste in the mouth is a common side effect. To minimize this, press your finger against the inside corner of your eye near your nose for about two minutes after applying the drops to prevent the medicine from draining to your nose and throat.
If you need to use other eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes after using Azarga before applying the other medication. Always tell your doctor about any other eye medications you’re using.
Do not stop using Azarga suddenly. Follow your doctor’s instructions and use the medication until your doctor tells you to stop.
Yes, it’s normal for a small amount to spill onto your cheek since your eyelids can only hold less than one drop at a time. Simply wipe away any spillage with a tissue.
Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from heat, moisture, and sunlight. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use and discard 4 weeks after opening.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.