This combination medication is used to treat high
pressure inside the eye due to glaucoma (open-angle type) or other eye
diseases (such as ocular hypertension). Lowering high pressure inside the
eye helps to prevent blindness. This product contains brimonidine and
timolol. These medications are used together when 1 drug is not controlling
the pressure inside the eye. Brimonidine works by allowing better fluid
drainage from within the eye and also by decreasing the amount of fluid
formed in the eye. It belongs to a class of drugs known as alpha agonists.
Timolol is thought to work by decreasing the amount of fluid formed in the
eye. Timolol belongs to a class of drugs known as beta
blockers.
This medication is not recommended for use in children
less than 2 years old due to an increased risk of serious side effects. Ask
the doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from
your pharmacist before you start using this product and each time you get a
refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Use this medication in the affected eye(s) as directed
by your doctor, usually 2 times daily (12 hours apart).
To apply eye drops, wash your hands first. To avoid
contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any
other surface.
The preservative in this product may be absorbed by
contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses, remove them before using the
eye drops. Wait at least 15 minutes after using this medication before
putting in your contact lenses.
Tilt your head back, look up, and pull down the lower
eyelid to make a pouch. Hold the dropper directly over your eye and place 1
drop in the pouch. Look down and gently close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes.
Place one finger at the corner of your eye (near the nose) and apply gentle
pressure. This will prevent the medication from draining away from the eye.
Try not to blink and do not rub your eye. Repeat these steps for your other
eye if so directed.
Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap after
each use.
If you are using another kind of eye medication (such as
drops or ointments), wait at least 10 minutes before applying other
medications. Use eye drops before eye ointments to allow the eye drops to
enter the eye.
Wait several minutes for your vision to clear before
driving or operating machinery.
Use this medication regularly in order to get the most
benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day.
Keep using this medication even if you feel well. Most people with glaucoma
or high pressure in the eyes do not feel sick.
Temporary blurred vision, temporary
burning/stinging/itching/redness of the eye, watery eyes, dry eyes, dry
mouth, feeling as if something is in the eye, headache, dizziness, or
drowsiness may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your
doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication
because the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many
people using this medication do not have serious side
effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- vision changes
- eye sensitivity to light
- eye pain/swelling/discharge
- slow/irregular heartbeat
- muscle weakness
- unusual tiredness
- mental/mood changes
- coldness/numbness/pain in the hands or feet
- swelling ankles/feet
- sudden unexplained weight gain
- shortness of breath
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious
side effects, including:
- dizziness that doesn't stop
- trouble breathing
- chest pain
- weakness on one side of the body
- trouble speaking
- confusion
- fainting
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before using this product, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to brimonidine or timolol; or to
apraclonidine; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain
inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems.
Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- lung disease (such as current or past asthma, severe chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD)
- certain types of irregular heartbeats (sinus bradycardia,
second- or third-degree AV block)
- heart disease (severe heart failure, cardiogenic shock)
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- blood vessel disease (such as thromboangiitis obliterans,
Raynaud's phenomenon)
- blood circulation disorders (cerebral/coronary
insufficiency)
- dizziness after standing (orthostatic hypotension)
- diabetes
- depression
- overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- muscle weakness disorders (such as myasthenia gravis)
- severe allergies
If you develop an eye infection or injury, or have eye
surgery, check with your doctor about whether you should continue to use
your current bottle of this medication. You may be advised to start using a
new bottle.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
This product may prevent the fast/pounding heartbeat you
would usually feel when your blood sugar level falls too low
(hypoglycemia). The risk is higher if you have diabetes, or are vomiting,
fasting, or not eating regularly. Other symptoms of low blood sugar level,
such as dizziness and sweating, are not affected by this
drug.
If you have diabetes, this product may make it harder to
control your blood sugar levels. Check your blood sugar levels regularly as
directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms
of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. Your doctor may
need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or
diet.
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or temporarily
blur your vision. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy
or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness
or clear vision until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk
to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only
when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your
doctor.
This medication passes into breast milk, but is unlikely
to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before
breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug
include:
- beta blockers taken by mouth (such as propranolol)
- certain antidepressants (SSRIs such as fluoxetine, tricyclics
such as amitriptyline)
- digoxin
- epinephrine
- high blood pressure medications (such as clonidine,
methyldopa)
- quinidine
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using other
products that cause drowsiness such as opioid pain or cough relievers (such
as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), drugs for sleep or
anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such
as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines (such as cetirizine,
diphenhydramine).
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy
or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause
drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products
safely.
This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If someone
has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble
breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US
residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call
1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include: trouble breathing, slow
heartbeat.
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as eye exams, measuring
intraocular pressure) should be done while you are using this medication.
Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more
details.
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If
it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store at room temperature away from light. Keep all
medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.