Glaucoma and ocular hypertension are eye conditions associated with increased pressure inside the eye. If elevated intraocular pressure is not properly managed, it can damage the optic nerve and potentially lead to permanent vision loss. Treatment often involves prescription eye drops designed to lower pressure within the eye.
Simbrinza Eye Drops 1% 5ml is a prescription eye-drop suspension containing two active ingredients: brinzolamide 1% and brimonidine tartrate 0.2%. It is used in adults with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension when treatment with a single medicine does not lower eye pressure sufficiently.
This guide explains Simbrinza Eye Drops 1% 5ml, including its ingredients, uses, how it works, dosage, application instructions, possible side effects, precautions, storage and frequently asked questions.
Important: Simbrinza is a prescription medicine. It should be used only as directed by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
What Are Simbrinza Eye Drops 1% 5ml?
Simbrinza is an ophthalmic suspension supplied in a 5ml bottle. It contains two medicines that work together to reduce raised pressure inside the eye.
The active ingredients are:
- Brinzolamide 1% (10 mg/mL)
- Brimonidine tartrate 0.2% (2 mg/mL)
Brinzolamide belongs to a group of medicines called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, while brimonidine belongs to a group called alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists. Both lower intraocular pressure but work through different mechanisms.
Simbrinza should not be confused with a cream or ordinary lubricating eye drop. It is a prescription medicine specifically designed to manage elevated intraocular pressure.
What Is Simbrinza Used For?
Simbrinza is used to reduce increased pressure inside the eye in adults with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension when one pressure-lowering medicine alone has not provided sufficient control.
Open-Angle Glaucoma
Open-angle glaucoma is a chronic eye condition in which damage to the optic nerve can occur, often in association with elevated intraocular pressure.
Treatment aims to reduce eye pressure and protect the optic nerve from further damage.
Ocular Hypertension
Ocular hypertension means that pressure inside the eye is higher than normal without necessarily having the optic-nerve damage associated with glaucoma.
Not everyone with ocular hypertension develops glaucoma, but healthcare professionals may recommend pressure-lowering treatment when they believe the risk of developing glaucoma is significant.
How Does Simbrinza Work?
Simbrinza combines two medicines with different mechanisms.
Brinzolamide
Brinzolamide inhibits an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase in the eye. This reduces the production of aqueous humour, the fluid inside the eye, helping lower intraocular pressure.
Brimonidine
Brimonidine is an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist. It reduces the production of aqueous humour and can also increase the outflow of fluid from the eye.
Using these two medicines together can provide greater pressure reduction than either medicine alone for some patients.
Benefits of Simbrinza Eye Drops
When appropriately prescribed, Simbrinza may provide several benefits.
1. Helps Lower Eye Pressure
The main purpose of Simbrinza is to reduce elevated intraocular pressure.
2. Combines Two Active Ingredients
Instead of requiring separate bottles for brinzolamide and brimonidine, Simbrinza combines both medicines into one ophthalmic suspension.
3. Used for Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension
The UK product information indicates its use in adults with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension when monotherapy does not provide adequate pressure reduction.
4. Convenient Twice-Daily Treatment
The UK recommended dosage is one drop in the affected eye or eyes twice a day, approximately at the same times each day.
Simbrinza Eye Drops 1% Dosage
According to the UK patient information, the recommended dose for adults is:
One drop in the affected eye or eyes twice daily.
Use the medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, optometrist or pharmacist. Do not increase the number of drops or frequency without professional advice.
If you forget a dose, use your next scheduled dose as normal. Do not use a double dose to make up for the missed application.
How to Apply Simbrinza Eye Drops
Correct application can help reduce contamination and improve delivery of the medicine.
- Wash your hands thoroughly.
- Shake the bottle well before use.
- Remove the cap carefully.
- Tilt your head backwards and gently pull down the lower eyelid.
- Hold the bottle above the eye without touching the eye or eyelashes.
- Squeeze gently to release one drop.
- Close your eye after applying the drop.
- Close the bottle firmly after use.
If you are using other eye drops, leave at least five minutes between Simbrinza and the other ophthalmic medicines.
Should Contact Lenses Be Removed?
Yes. Simbrinza contains benzalkonium chloride, which can be absorbed by soft contact lenses and may cause irritation.
Remove contact lenses before applying the drops and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back in.
If you have dry eyes or a corneal condition, discuss the use of Simbrinza and contact lenses with your healthcare professional.
Simbrinza Eye Drops Side Effects
Like all medicines, Simbrinza can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them.
Common side effects can include:
- Eye redness
- Eye allergy or allergic conjunctivitis
- Eye discomfort or pain
- Blurred or abnormal vision
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- An unusual or bitter taste in the mouth
The UK product information identifies ocular allergic reactions and eye redness among common adverse effects, while dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness and altered taste can also occur.
Other reported reactions include dry eye, watery eyes, eyelid inflammation, sensitivity to light, headache, nausea and changes in blood pressure or heart rate.
Serious Side Effects
Serious reactions are uncommon, but medical attention should be obtained if concerning symptoms occur.
Stop using Simbrinza and seek urgent medical advice if you develop symptoms of a serious allergic or skin reaction, such as severe rash, skin peeling, blistering, mouth ulcers or difficulty breathing. Serious skin reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis have been reported with medicines containing brinzolamide.
Chest pain, an irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness or extreme tiredness should also be medically assessed.
Who Should Not Use Simbrinza?
According to the UK patient information, Simbrinza should not be used by people who are allergic to brinzolamide, brimonidine or any of the other ingredients.
It is also contraindicated in certain circumstances, including severe kidney problems, and it should not be used in babies and infants under two years of age. It is also unsuitable for people taking certain monoamine oxidase inhibitors and some antidepressants.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you take before starting Simbrinza.
Precautions Before Using Simbrinza
Tell your healthcare professional if you have or have previously had:
- Liver problems
- Heart disease
- Low or high blood pressure
- Circulation problems
- Depression
- Dry eyes
- Corneal problems
- Narrow-angle glaucoma
- Respiratory conditions
- Kidney problems
Simbrinza may cause drowsiness, fatigue or dizziness, and temporary blurred vision can occur after application. Do not drive or operate machinery until your vision is clear and you know how the medicine affects you.
Can Simbrinza Be Used With Other Eye Drops?
Simbrinza may sometimes be prescribed alongside other medicines used to lower eye pressure.
If you use more than one ophthalmic medicine, leave at least five minutes between different eye drops unless your healthcare professional provides different instructions.
Never add another glaucoma medicine to your treatment plan without discussing it with your eye specialist.
What Happens If You Use Too Much Simbrinza?
If you accidentally put too many drops into the eye, rinse the eye with warm water and do not apply another dose until the next scheduled time.
If Simbrinza is accidentally swallowed, contact a doctor or seek medical advice promptly. Accidental ingestion, particularly in children, can cause serious effects.
Storage of Simbrinza 1% Eye Drops
Store Simbrinza according to the instructions supplied with your medicine.
Keep the bottle safely away from children. Do not use the product after its expiry date.
Because Simbrinza is a suspension, shake the bottle well before each use as instructed in the patient information.
Simbrinza 1% 5ml in the UK
Simbrinza is a prescription eye medicine used in the UK for adults with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension when a single treatment does not adequately control intraocular pressure.
The UK product information identifies the medicine as SIMBRINZA 10 mg/mL + 2 mg/mL eye drops, suspension. The 1% figure refers to the concentration of brinzolamide; the formulation also contains 0.2% brimonidine tartrate.
Patients should obtain prescription medicines through legitimate pharmacy channels and follow advice from their prescriber or pharmacist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Simbrinza Eye Drops 1% used for?
Simbrinza is used to lower raised intraocular pressure in adults with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension when one medicine alone is not sufficient.
What are the ingredients in Simbrinza?
Simbrinza contains brinzolamide 1% and brimonidine tartrate 0.2%.
How often should I use Simbrinza?
The UK recommended dose is one drop in the affected eye or eyes twice daily, unless your healthcare professional tells you otherwise.
Can Simbrinza cure glaucoma?
Simbrinza does not cure glaucoma. It helps lower intraocular pressure, which is an important part of managing glaucoma and reducing the risk of further optic-nerve damage.
Can Simbrinza cause blurred vision?
Yes. Blurred or abnormal vision can occur. If your vision remains blurred, wait until it clears before driving or operating machinery.
Can I wear contact lenses while using Simbrinza?
Remove soft contact lenses before using Simbrinza and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back in because the medicine contains benzalkonium chloride.
What if I forget a dose?
Take your next dose at the usual scheduled time. Do not use extra drops to compensate for a missed dose.
Can Simbrinza cause a bad taste?
Yes. An unusual or bitter taste is a recognised side effect and is thought to occur when some of the eye drop passes through the tear drainage system into the nose and throat.
Is Simbrinza available in the UK?
Simbrinza is included in UK medicines information as a prescription eye-drop suspension. Its use should be supervised by an appropriate healthcare professional.
Final Thoughts
Simbrinza Eye Drops 1% 5ml is a prescription ophthalmic suspension combining brinzolamide 1% and brimonidine tartrate 0.2%. It is used in adults to reduce elevated intraocular pressure associated with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension when treatment with one medicine alone is insufficient.
Using the drops correctly and attending regular eye examinations are important parts of glaucoma management. Follow your prescribed dosing schedule, shake the bottle before use, remove contact lenses before application and leave at least five minutes between different eye drops.
If you experience severe eye reactions, difficulty breathing, significant dizziness, chest symptoms or a serious skin rash, seek urgent medical attention. Never stop glaucoma treatment without discussing it with your eye specialist, because uncontrolled eye pressure can lead to permanent vision loss.