What is brimonidine and timolol ophthalmic?
Brimonidine reduces the amount of fluid in the eye, which decreases pressure inside the eye.
Timolol also reduces pressure inside the eye.
The combination of brimonidine and timolol ophthalmic (for the eyes) is used to treat
glaucoma or ocular hypertension (high pressure inside the eye).
Brimonidine and timolol ophthalmic may also be used for other purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking brimonidine and timolol ophthalmic?
Do not use brimonidine and timolol ophthalmic if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or
tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to brimonidine (Alphagan) or timolol
(Timoptic, Cosopt), or if you have certain conditions. Be sure your doctor knows if you have:
-
asthma, or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
-
heart disease or heart failure;
-
slow heartbeats; or
-
a heart condition called "AV block."
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special
tests to safely use this medication. Before using brimonidine and timolol ophthalmic, tell your doctor if
you have:
-
depression;
-
diabetes;
-
overactive thyroid;
-
circulation problems, such as Raynaud's syndrome or
Buerger's disease;
-
a history of fainting or low blood pressure;
-
allergies; or
-
a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether brimonidine and
timolol ophthalmic is harmful to an unborn baby. Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Brimonidine and timolol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not
use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take brimonidine and timolol ophthalmic?
Use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for
longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Wash your hands before using the eye drops.
Do not use this medication while you are wearing contact lenses. Brimonidine and timolol
ophthalmic may contain a preservative that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Wait at least 15
minutes after using the eye drops before putting your contact lenses in.
To apply the eye drops:
-
Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid. Hold
the dropper above the eye with the dropper tip down. Look up and away from the dropper as
you squeeze out a drop, then close your eye.
-
Gently press your finger to the inside corner of the eye
(near your nose) for about 1 minute to keep the liquid from draining into your tear duct.
-
If you use any other eye medications, wait about 5 minutes
after using brimonidine eye drops before using the other medication.
-
Do not allow the dropper tip to touch any surface, including
the eyes or hands. If the dropper becomes contaminated it could cause an infection in your eye,
which can lead to vision loss or serious damage to the eye.
Do not use the eye drops if the liquid has changed colors or has particles in
it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any eye injury or infection. If you have any type of
surgery, including eye surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using brimonidine and timolol
ophthalmic. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Store the drops at room temperature away from heat and moisture. Keep the bottle tightly
closed when not in use.
What happens if I miss a dose of brimonidine and timolol ophthalmic?
Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the
missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose.
Do not
use extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about brimonidine and timolol ophthalmic?
Your pharmacist has information about brimonidine and timolol ophthalmic written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of brimonidine and timolol ophthalmic?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
severe swelling, itching, burning, redness, pain, or discomfort in or
around your eye;
-
bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble
breathing);
-
pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
-
slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing
(breathing may stop);
-
feeling like you might pass out;
-
numbness, tingling, or cold feeling in your hands or feet;
-
muscle weakness; or
-
confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
mild burning, stinging, or itching of your eyes;
-
dry eyes, blurred vision;
-
mildly swollen or puffy eyes;
-
feeling like something is in your eye;
-
weakness, tired feeling;
-
cough, sore throat;
-
nausea, upset stomach;
-
headache;
-
drowsiness;
-
unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth;
-
sensitivity to light;
-
dry nose;
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about brimonidine and timolol ophthalmic?
Do not use brimonidine and timolol ophthalmic if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or
tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to brimonidine (Alphagan) or timolol
(Timoptic, Cosopt), or if you have certain conditions. Be sure your doctor knows if you have asthma,
or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease or heart failure, slow
heartbeats, or a heart condition called "AV block."
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have diabetes, overactive thyroid,
circulation problems, allergies, low blood pressure, myasthenia gravis, or a history of depression
Do not use this medication while you are wearing contact lenses. This medication may
contain a preservative that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using
brimonidine and timolol ophthalmic before putting your contact lenses in.
Do not allow the dropper tip to touch any surface, including the eyes or hands. If the dropper
becomes contaminated it could cause an infection in your eye, which can lead to vision loss or serious
damage to the eye.
What should I avoid while taking brimonidine and timolol ophthalmic?
This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid using any eye medications your doctor has not prescribed.
Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, sedatives, and medicine for
seizures can add to sleepiness caused by brimonidine and timolol ophthalmic. Tell your doctor if you
regularly use any of these medicines.
What other drugs will affect brimonidine and timolol ophthalmic?
Before using brimonidine and timolol ophthalmic, tell your doctor if you are using any of the
following medications:
-
an antidepressant;
-
blood pressure medications;
-
cimetidine (Tagamet);
-
digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);
-
HIV /AIDS medicine such as ritonavir (Norvir);
-
an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl);
-
an antifungal antibiotic such as terbinafine (Lamisil);
-
anti-malaria medication such as hydroxychloroquine
(Plaquenil);
-
medicine to treat psychiatric disorders, such as thioridazine
(Mellaril);
-
a heart rhythm medication such as propafenone (Rythmol)
or quinidine (Quinidex, Quin-Release Quin-G);
-
a calcium channel blocker such as amlodipine (Norvasc),
diltiazem (Tiazac, Cartia, Cardizem), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), verapamil (Calan, Covera,
Isoptin, Verelan), and others; or
-
a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol
(Zebeta, Ziac), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), timolol
(Betimol, Blocadren, Cosopt, Timoptic, Istalol), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
brimonidine and timolol ophthalmic. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter
medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a
new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of brimonidine and timolol ophthalmic?
