Azopt (Brinzolamide)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Quick Facts
What Is Azopt Used For?
Azopt is an eye drop medication that helps treat conditions involving high pressure in the eyes.
Primary Uses
Azopt treats ocular hypertension (high pressure in the eye) and open-angle glaucoma (an eye disorder that damages the optic nerve). It can be used alone or combined with other eye medications.
How It Works
Azopt belongs to a class of drugs called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. It helps lower eye pressure by reducing the production of fluid that the eye naturally produces.
Continue Reading
Sign in to access the complete medication guide including dosage, side effects, warnings, and more.
How to Take Azopt
Azopt is an eye drop that should be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
Dosage Instructions
Put one drop of Azopt in the affected eye(s) twice daily. Remove contact lenses before using and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting them. If using other eye medications, wait at least 5 minutes between different drops. Use eye ointments last. Shake the bottle well before use. Wash hands before and after use. Do not touch the dropper tip to your eye or any surface. After putting in the drop, close your eye and press your finger against the inside corner of your eye for about 2 minutes.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose, use the eye drops as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not use a double dose to make up for the missed one.
Important: Never double dose – this may cause undesirable side effects. Discard the bottle 4 weeks after opening and start a new one.
Available Tablet Strengths
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:
- Blurred vision
- Double vision
- Dry or itchy eyes
- Eye discomfort
- Eye discharge
- Hives
- Headache
- Nervousness
- Foreign body sensation in eye
- Eye pain
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Indigestion
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Decreased appetite
- Joint pain
- Diarrhea
- Sore throat
- Runny or blocked nose
- Shortness of breath
- Skin itching
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Keratitis (corneal disease)
- Conjunctivitis with discharge and crusty eyelids
- Reduced vision
- Light sensitivity
- Eye swelling
- Corneal erosion
- Chest pain
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- Toxic epidermal necrolysis
- Unusual hair loss
- Kidney pain
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
- Depression
- Memory loss
- Muscle stiffness with poor movement control
- Taste disturbance or loss
- Tinnitus (ringing in ears)
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations before using Azopt.
Who Should Not Take Azopt
Do not use Azopt if you are allergic to brinzolamide or any ingredients in the medication, have kidney problems or hyperchloraemic acidosis (high chloride levels in blood), or are allergic to sulfonamide medications. Watch for serious allergic reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have acute angle-closure glaucoma, diabetes, corneal problems or dystrophies, liver or kidney disease. Do not use while wearing contact lenses as it may cause irritation and discolor soft lenses.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your doctor will discuss the potential risks and benefits of using Azopt during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Serious Allergic Reactions: Contact your doctor immediately if you notice skin rash, redness, blistering of lips, eyes or mouth, or fever – these may be signs of serious allergic reactions.
Drug Interactions
Some medications may interfere with how Azopt works.
- High doses of salicylate-containing pain killers
- Other oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Alcohol & Driving
Azopt may affect your vision and nervous system, requiring caution with certain activities.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol interactions mentioned in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Azopt may cause blurred vision or other visual disturbances after putting in the eye drops. Wait until your vision clears before driving or using machinery. The medication may also cause nervous system problems, so take precautions before driving or operating equipment.
Storage
Store Azopt below 25°C (77°F). Do not freeze the eye drops. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use to avoid contamination. Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep away from children. Discard any remaining solution 4 weeks after opening.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Azopt, seek urgent medical attention. Overdose symptoms may include electrolyte imbalance, development of acidosis, and nervous system problems. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. If you accidentally put several drops in your eyes, wash them immediately with warm tap water and consult your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source material does not specify how long Azopt takes to work. Your doctor can provide information about when you might expect to see results from treatment.
No, do not put Azopt eye drops in while wearing contact lenses as it may cause irritation and discolor soft lenses. Remove contact lenses before using the drops and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting them.
You may feel a slight burning sensation or discomfort shortly after using Azopt. However, contact your doctor immediately if the discomfort persists for a long time.
Store below 25°C and do not freeze. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use. Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Discard the bottle 4 weeks after opening.
If you are using other eye drop medications, wait at least 5 minutes between different drops. If you use eye ointments, apply them last. Always consult your doctor about using multiple eye medications together.
Use the eye drops as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not double dose to make up for the missed one.
Yes, remind any doctor, dentist, or pharmacist you visit that you are using Azopt, as this information may be important for your care.
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.