Brinzolamide 10mg/ml eye drops
Requires a prescription from a doctor or prescriber
Safety information for pregnancy and breastfeeding
Pregnancy
Developmental toxicity studies performed in rats with oral doses of 0.66 mg brimonidine base/kg revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
Brinzolamide caused urinary bladder tumors in female mice at oral doses of 10 mg/kg/day and in male rats at oral doses of 8 mg/kg/day in 2-year studies.
Always consult your doctor or midwife before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Source: DrugBank (CC BY-NC 4.0).
Official documents, adverse reaction reporting, and safety monitoring
Report a side effect
Submit a Yellow Card report to the MHRA
Official medicine documents
Safety monitoring data
Yellow Card reports
The MHRA Yellow Card scheme collects reports of suspected side effects from healthcare professionals and patients. View the Drug Analysis Profile (iDAP) for real-world adverse reaction data.
View Drug Analysis Profile
Suspected adverse reactions reported for Brinzolamide
Browse all iDAP reports
Interactive Drug Analysis Profiles for all medicines
Report a side effect
Submit a Yellow Card report to the MHRA
Data from the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. A reported reaction does not necessarily mean the medicine caused it. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
EudraVigilance
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) collects suspected adverse reaction reports from across the EU/EEA through the EudraVigilance system. Search for safety data on this medicine.
View EudraVigilance report
Suspected adverse reactions reported for Brinzolamide
About EudraVigilance
Learn about EU pharmacovigilance and safety monitoring
EudraVigilance data is published by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). A suspected adverse reaction is not necessarily caused by the medicine.
21 branded products available
MHRA licensed products
View all licensed products for Brinzolamide on the MHRA register
Azopt 10mg/ml eye drops
Azopt 10mg/ml eye drops
Brinzolamide 10mg/ml eye drops
Brinzolamide 10mg/ml eye drops
Brinzolamide 10mg/ml eye drops
Brinzolamide 10mg/ml eye drops
Brinzolamide 10mg/ml eye drops
Brinzolamide 10mg/ml eye drops
Brinzolamide 10mg/ml eye drops
Brinzolamide 10mg/ml eye drops
This is the NHS Drug Tariff indicative price used for reimbursement purposes. It may not reflect the price paid by patients or pharmacies.
View full Drug TariffSource: NHS Drug Tariff via NHSBSA. Derived from dm+d VMPP (Virtual Medicinal Product Pack) pricing data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
WHO defined daily dose (DDD)
200 microlitre
Not a recommended dose. The DDD is the assumed average maintenance dose per day for a drug used for its main indication in adults. It is a statistical measure used for research and comparison purposes only.
Source: WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, distributed via the NHS dm+d supplementary BNF/ATC mapping files (NHSBSA). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Therapeutically similar medicines
Similarity is based on WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification and on a factual NHS dm+d therapeutic-grouping code prefix. Source data: NHS dm+d via TRUD (OGL v3.0), WHO ATC/DDD Index.
NHS prescribing volume and spending trends
Guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
NICE clinical guidance(1)
Source: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Check stock at pharmacies and supply information
Pharmacy stock checkers
Search for this medicine at major UK pharmacy chains. These links open the retailer's own website — results depend on their current online catalogue.
Supply & safety information
Official UK regulator monitoring and safety alerts
Pharmacy links redirect to the retailer's own search and do not represent real-time stock levels. Shortage and safety information sourced from MHRA drug safety updates (gov.uk, Crown Copyright under OGL v3.0).
Codes for healthcare professionals and prescribing systems
These codes are used by healthcare IT systems and prescribers to identify this medicine.
NHS UK identifiers
Browse tools
SNOMED CT and dm+d codes from NHS TRUD (Technology Reference data Update Distribution), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. BNF code shown is the factual mapping value distributed by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) in the dm+d supplementary file under OGL v3.0; it is not affiliated with, nor licensed from, the publishers of the British National Formulary. ATC codes from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology (whocc.no).
Active and completed clinical studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Data accessed via ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Trial information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Academic studies and reviews for this medicine's active substance
Showing the 50 most relevant studies.
Reviews & meta-analyses: 14 · Randomised trials: 12 · 1998–2026
Showing the 50 most relevant studies, sorted by most relevant.
Alamoudi A, Alnabihi A, Al-Qahtani S, et al.
2026
PurposeThis systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare BT and DT in terms of intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction, safety, and patient preferences.MethodsFollowing PRISMA and Cochrane guidelines, we searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and Embase up to December 30, 2024. Twelve studies (11 randomized controlled trials [RCTs]) involving 1,885 patients were included. Primary outcomes were IOP reduction and adverse events. Statistical analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.4.1, with mean differences (MD) and risk ratios (RR) calculated for continuous and binary outcomes.ResultsBT demonstrated a statistically greater reduction in the morning IOP compared to DT at 12 weeks or more (BT: MD = 0.56 mmHg, P P P P < 0.001). Patient preference studies favored brinzolamide/timolol fixed combination (BTFC) due to reduced ocular discomfort.ConclusionBT showed a statistically greater reduction in morning IOP than DT; however, the absolute difference was modest, and its clinical relevance is uncertain. BT was associated with less ocular irritation but higher blurred vision risk. High heterogeneity for evening IOP and overall adverse events limits interpretation. Considering these findings, the choice of treatment usually depends on the patient's tolerance to higher initial ocular irritation in DT or blurring of vision in BT. Longer-term trials with 24-h IOP and preference are needed to assess these outcomes meaningfully.
Abstract licence: CC BY-NC
Ha Thi Minh Ngoc, Tran Hoang Dat, Nguyen Xuan Bach, et al.
VNU Journal of Science: Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2024
Yuanzhi Liu, Junyi Zhao, Xiaoyan Zhong, et al.
Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2019
Junyi Zhao (3167856), Yuanzhi Liu (6873326), Qiming Wei (6873329), et al.
2019
Soomsawasdi P, Rojananuangnit K, Arayangkoon E, et al.
2025
IntroductionIntravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents are a primary management option for retinal diseases. Acute elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) is a complication associated with these injections that should be considered. This study investigated and compared the prophylactic effects of fixed combination anti-glaucoma medication on IOP spikes following intravitreal anti-VEGF injections.MethodsThis randomized double-blind clinical trial included one eye of each participant indicated for treatment with intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF agents (bevacizumab, aflibercept, and ranibizumab) and randomly allocated to one of the three prophylactic anti-glaucoma medications, with each drug further divided into one- and two-drop regimens before intravitreal injection. Participants with allergies or contraindications to medications were excluded from the pretreatment groups and were invited to participate in the control group.ResultsThe study involved 308 participants: 89 in the dorzolamide/timolol group, 86 in the brimonidine/timolol group, 101 in the brinzolamide/brimonidine group, and 32 in the control group. Baseline characteristics and IOP were comparable across all groups. In the prophylactic premedication groups, mean IOP at 30 min were within 21 mmHg and returned to their baseline at 1 h. Mean IOP measurements between baseline and 30 min in the brimonidine/timolol two-drop regimen were not significantly different: 13.72 ± 4.63 vs 15.11 ± 4.39 mmHg, p = 0.096. In the control group, IOP significantly increased from baseline at 30 min and 1 h post-injection: 14.31 ± 4.10, 22.15 ± 8.64, and 18.36 ± 7.52 mmHg, respectively, p ConclusionTopical fixed combination anti-glaucoma medication used as a prophylactic treatment before intravitreal anti-VEGF injections significantly prevented IOP spikes post-injection, with a comparable effect among three medications. Prophylactic treatment of IOP spikes should be considered as standard care to prevent further damage in patients with compromised retinal vascular and optic nerve perfusion.Trial registrationTCTR20241005001, retrospectively registered.
Abstract licence: CC BY-NC
Yadav B, Saxena R, Dhiman R, et al.
2024
- Sulfonamides
- Thiazines
- Ophthalmic Solutions
Suzuki M, Arimura S, Iwasaki K, et al.
2026
Background/Objectives: Rho-associated protein kinase inhibitors reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) by enhancing aqueous humor outflow through the trabecular meshwork-Schlemm's canal pathway. However, it remains unclear whether the fixed-dose combination of ripasudil hydrochloride hydrate and brimonidine tartrate (GLAALPHA) enhances conventional aqueous outflow in vivo. Methods: This single-center randomized clinical trial included healthy adult volunteers who received GLAALPHA, a brimonidine tartrate-brinzolamide fixed-dose combination (Ailamide), or brimonidine tartrate monotherapy (Aiphagan) in a crossover sequence. The aqueous column width in the episcleral veins was assessed at baseline and at 2 h (primary outcome) and 8 h using hemoglobin video imaging. Results: Among 24 participants, analyses included 23 GLAALPHA-treated eyes, 21 Ailamide-treated eyes, and 22 Aiphagan-treated eyes. Two hours after instillation, the aqueous column width significantly increased from baseline only in the GLAALPHA group (p = 0.002). The percent increase in the aqueous column width at 2 h was significantly greater with GLAALPHA than with Ailamide (p = 0.039) and not significantly different between GLAALPHA and Aiphagan (p = 0.114). At 8 h, the aqueous column width did not differ from the baseline in any groups. Conclusions: In healthy adult eyes, GLAALPHA significantly increased the aqueous column width in the episcleral veins 2 h after instillation, indicating enhanced conventional aqueous outflow. These findings provide evidence that GLAALPHA promotes trabecular outflow beyond the effects of brimonidine tartrate-containing comparators and offer mechanistic insights into its action.
Abstract licence: CC BY
Lewis H. Silver
American Journal of Ophthalmology, 1998
- Administration, Topical
- Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
- Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
Robert D. Fechtner, Jonathan S. Myers, Doug Hubatsch, et al.
Eye, 2016
- Brimonidine Tartrate
- Travoprost
- Latanoprost
Robert M. Feldman, Grégory Katz, Matthew G. McMenemy, et al.
American Journal of Ophthalmology, 2016
- Brimonidine Tartrate
- Travoprost
- Antihypertensive Agents
Sources: aggregated from Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI), OpenAlex, Crossref, PubMed and other open scholarly databases. Retracted articles are excluded. Study information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Pharmacology and chemical data from DrugBank
Key facts
Drug status
Approved
Major interactions
None known
Half-life
111 days
Mechanism
Brinzolamide is a highly specific, reversible, non-competitive inhibitor of carb…
Food interactions
None known
Human targets
5 targets
Data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Pharmacokinetics at a glance
Absorption
Half-life
111 days
[L46377]…
Protein binding
60%
[L46377]
Metabolism
Elimination
[L46377]
N-Desethyl…
Pharmacokinetic data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Brinzolamide was developed as a topical solution to the systemic side effects and [dorzolamide], the first-ever approved topical CA inhibitor with contrasting results and evidence.[A2051] Unlike [dorzolamide], brinzolamide has a higher lipophilicity to facilitate diffusion across the blood-retinal barrier.[A2051] Brinzolamide was approved by the FDA in 1998 as a standalone product and in 2013 as a combination product with brimonidine tartrate.[L35310][L35315] In Europe, it was also approved as a combination product with timolol in 2008.[L35320]
[L46377][L35310]
Brinzolamide is also approved in Europe to be used in combination with timolol to treat the same conditions.
[L35320]
Known interactions with other medications. Always consult a healthcare professional.
Showing 50 of 80 interactions
No treatment-related malformations were seen. Following oral administration of 14C-brinzolamide 14Cbrinzolamide to pregnant rats, radioactivity was found to cross the placenta and was present in the fetal tissues and blood.
[L46377]
Developmental toxicity studies performed in rats with oral doses of 0.66 mg brimonidine base/kg revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus. Dosing at this level resulted in a plasma drug concentration approximately 100 times higher than that seen in humans at the recommended human ophthalmic dose.
In animal studies, brimonidine crossed the placenta and entered into fetal circulation to a limited extent.
[L46377]
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Brinzolamide should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
[L46377]
Brinzolamide caused urinary bladder tumors in female mice at oral doses of 10 mg/kg/day and in male rats at oral doses of 8 mg/kg/day in 2-year studies. Brinzolamide was not carcinogenic in male mice or female rats dosed orally for up to 2 years.
The carcinogenicity appears secondary to kidney and urinary bladder toxicity. These levels of exposure cannot be achieved with topical ophthalmic dosing in humans.
[L46377]
The following tests for the mutagenic potential of brinzolamide were negative: (1) in vivo mouse micronucleus assay; (2) in vivo sister chromatid exchange assay; and (3) Ames E. coli test. The in vitro mouse lymphoma forward mutation assay was negative in the absence of activation, but positive in the presence of microsomal activation.
In this assay, there was no consistent dose-response relationship to the increased mutation frequency and cytotoxicity likely contributed to the high mutation frequency. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, as a class, are not mutagenic and the weight of evidence supports that brinzolamide is consistent with the class. In reproduction studies of brinzolamide in rats, there were no adverse effects on the fertility or reproductive capacity of males or females at doses up to 18 mg/kg/day (180 times the recommended human ophthalmic dose).
[L46377]
Brimonidine tartrate was not carcinogenic in either a 21-month mouse or 24-month rat study.
In these studies, dietary administration of brimonidine tartrate at doses up to 2.5 mg/kg/day in mice and 1 mg/kg/day in rats resulted in plasma drug concentrations 80 and 120 times higher than the human plasma drug level at the recommended clinical dose, respectively. Brimonidine tartrate was not mutagenic or cytogenic in a series of in vitro and in vivo studies including the Ames test, chromosomal aberration assay in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells, a host-mediated assay and cytogenic studies in mice, and a dominant lethal assay. In reproductive studies performed in rats with oral doses of 0.66 mg brimonidine base/kg (approximately 100 times the plasma drug concentration level seen in humans following multiple ophthalmic doses), fertility was not impaired.
[L46377]
The IOP-reducing effect of brinzolamide as adjunctive therapy to the prostaglandin analog travoprost was studied. Following a 4-week run-in with travoprost, patients with an IOP ≥19 mmHg were randomized to receive added treatment with brinzolamide or timolol. An additional decrease in mean diurnal IOP of 3.2 to 3.4 mmHg for the brinzolamide group and 3.2 to 4.2 mmHg for the timolol group were observed. There was an overall higher incidence of non-serious ocular adverse reactions, mainly related to signs of local irritation, in the brinzolamide/travoprost groups. The events were mild and did not affect the overall discontinuation rates in the studies.[L46412]
A clinical trial was conducted with brinzolamide in 32 pediatric patients less than 6 years of age, diagnosed with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Some patients were naive to IOP therapy whilst others were on other IOP-lowering medicinal product(s). Those who had been on previous IOP medicinal products were not required to discontinue their IOP medicinal product(s) until the initiation of monotherapy with brinzolamide.[L46412]
Among patients who were naive to IOP therapy (10 patients), the efficacy of brinzolamide was similar to that seen previously in adults, with mean IOP reductions from baseline ranging up to 5 mmHg. Among patients who were on topical IOP-lowering medicinal products (22 patients), mean IOP increased slightly from baseline in the brinzolamide group.[L46412]
How the body processes this drug — absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination
[L46407]
[L46377]
[L46377]
[L46407]
Brimonidine is extensively metabolized by hepatic aldehyde oxidase with the formation of 2-oxobrimonidine, 3-oxobrimonidine, and 2,3-dioxobrimonidine being the major metabolites.
Oxidative cleavage of the imidazoline ring to 5-bromo-6-guanidinoquinoxaline is also observed.
[L46407]
[L46377]
N-Desethyl brinzolamide is also found in
the urine along with lower concentrations of the N-desmethoxypropyl and O-desmethyl metabolites.
[L46377]
Proteins and enzymes this drug interacts with in the body
PMID:11327835 PMID:11802772 PMID:11831900 PMID:12056894 PMID:12171926 PMID:1336460 PMID:14736236 PMID:15300855 PMID:15453828 PMID:15667203 PMID:15865431 PMID:16106378 PMID:16214338 PMID:16290146 PMID:16686544 PMID:16759856 PMID:16807956 PMID:17127057 PMID:17251017 PMID:17314045 PMID:17330962 PMID:17346964 PMID:17540563 PMID:17588751 PMID:17705204 PMID:18024029 PMID:18162396 PMID:18266323 PMID:18374572 PMID:18481843 PMID:18618712 PMID:18640037 PMID:18942852 PMID:1909891 PMID:1910042 PMID:19170619 PMID:19186056 PMID:19206230 PMID:19520834 PMID:19778001 PMID:7761440 PMID:7901850 PMID:8218160 PMID:8262987 PMID:8399159 PMID:8451242 PMID:8485129 PMID:8639494 PMID:9265618 PMID:9398308
Can also hydrate cyanamide to urea .
PMID:10550681 PMID:11015219
Stimulates the chloride-bicarbonate exchange activity of SLC26A6 .
PMID:15990874
Essential for bone resorption and osteoclast differentiation .
PMID:15300855
Involved in the regulation of fluid secretion into the anterior chamber of the eye. Contributes to intracellular pH regulation in the duodenal upper villous epithelium during proton-coupled peptide absorption
PMID:10550681 PMID:16506782 PMID:16686544 PMID:16807956 PMID:17127057 PMID:17314045 PMID:17407288 PMID:18618712 PMID:19186056 PMID:19206230
Can hydrate cyanamide to urea PMID:10550681
PMID:15563508 PMID:16686544 PMID:16807956 PMID:17127057 PMID:17314045 PMID:17652713 PMID:17705204 PMID:18618712 PMID:19186056 PMID:19206230 PMID:7625839
May stimulate the sodium/bicarbonate transporter activity of SLC4A4 that acts in pH homeostasis .
PMID:15563508
It is essential for acid overload removal from the retina and retina epithelium, and acid release in the choriocapillaris in the choroid PMID:15563508
PMID:24530203 PMID:8356065
Mitochondria are impermeable to HCO3, and thus this intramitochondrial carbonic anhydrase is pivotal in providing HCO3 for multiple mitochondrial enzymes that catalyze the formation of essential metabolites of intermediary metabolism in the urea and Krebs cycles PMID:24530203
Enzymes involved in drug metabolism — important for understanding drug interactions
ATC S01EC54
ATC S01EC04
ATC G01AE10
Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
Show
Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
Linked compound data from DrugBank Open Data (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Brinzolamide
Additional database identifiers
Drugs Product Database (DPD)
11799
ChemSpider
62077
BindingDB
10885
PDB
BZ1
ZINC
ZINC000003953037
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:1373
GenAtlas
CA2
GeneCards
CA2
GenBank Gene Database
M77181
GenBank Protein Database
179780
Guide to Pharmacology
3092
UniProt Accession
CAH2_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:1368
GenAtlas
CA1
GeneCards
CA1
GenBank Gene Database
X05014
GenBank Protein Database
29600
Guide to Pharmacology
2597
UniProt Accession
CAH1_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:1375
GenAtlas
CA4
GeneCards
CA4
GenBank Gene Database
M83670
GenBank Protein Database
179791
Guide to Pharmacology
2599
UniProt Accession
CAH4_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:1377
GeneCards
CA5A
GenBank Gene Database
L19297
GenBank Protein Database
306483
UniProt Accession
CAH5A_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:1374
GeneCards
CA3
GenBank Gene Database
AK313254
GenBank Protein Database
189053812
UniProt Accession
CAH3_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:2637
GenAtlas
CYP3A4
GeneCards
CYP3A4
GenBank Gene Database
M18907
Guide to Pharmacology
1337
UniProt Accession
CP3A4_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:2610
GenAtlas
CYP2A6
GeneCards
CYP2A6
GenBank Gene Database
X13897
Guide to Pharmacology
1321
UniProt Accession
CP2A6_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:2615
GeneCards
CYP2B6
GenBank Gene Database
M29874
GenBank Protein Database
181296
Guide to Pharmacology
1324
UniProt Accession
CP2B6_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:2622
GenAtlas
CYP2C8
GeneCards
CYP2C8
GenBank Gene Database
M17397
Guide to Pharmacology
1325
UniProt Accession
CP2C8_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:2623
GenAtlas
CYP2C9
GeneCards
CYP2C9
GenBank Gene Database
AY341248
Guide to Pharmacology
1326
UniProt Accession
CP2C9_HUMAN
DrugBank citations
If you use DrugBank data in your research, please cite the following publications:
Show earlier publications
Structured knowledge from the free knowledge base
ATC classifications (Wikidata)
Linked open data from Wikidata (Q411517), a free and open knowledge base operated by the Wikimedia Foundation. Data is available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication. WHO INN from the World Health Organization.