How and when to use brinzolamide - Brand name: Azopt

It's important to use brinzolamide as your doctor has advised.

Dosage and how to use brinzolamide

Dosage

The usual dose of brinzolamide for adults is 1 drop into the affected eye or eyes twice a day, in the morning and at night.

Your doctor may increase this to 1 drop into the affected eye or eyes 3 times a day, if needed.

How to use eye drops

Always check the leaflet that comes with the medicine. Instructions can vary between different manufacturers, as some bottles look different and work differently.

You may find using a mirror helps.

If you wear contact lenses, make sure you take them out before using your eye drops, as the drops can change the colour of contact lenses. Wait 15 minutes before putting your lenses back in.

1. Wash your hands.
2. Shake the bottle and twist off the cap. If it does not come with a separate dropper and you have not used these eye drops before, practise gently squeezing the bottle away from your eye first, to get used to the pressure and the time it takes for 1 drop to fall out.
3. Use your finger to gently pull down the lower eyelid to form a small pocket and tilt your head back.
4. Make sure the tip of the bottle does not touch your eye, eyelashes, eyelid, your skin, or any other surface.
5. Hold the dropper over your eye, look up, squeeze the dropper gently and allow 1 drop to fall into the pocket formed by your lower eyelid. If the drop misses your eye, try again.
6. Release your lower eyelid and close your eye. Gently press your finger over the inside corner of your eye (over the eyelid) for about a minute. This helps to keep the drop in the eye.
7. Wipe away any extra liquid with a clean tissue.
8. Repeat in your other eye if your doctor has told you to do this.
9. Put the cap back on the bottle as soon as you've finished using it.

If you have difficulty opening your eye drop bottles or putting eye drops into your eyes, talk to your pharmacist as there are devices that can help with this.

If you use brinzolamide with other eye drops or eye ointment, wait at least 5 minutes before using them. They can wash out the brinzolamide and it may not work as well. It's best to use eye ointments last.

Expiry dates

Use the brinzolamide eye drops before the expiry date on the bottle and within 4 weeks of opening. This will reduce the risk of eye infections and the eye drops not working so well.

You could write the date you opened the bottle or packet on the label or the box. This will help you to know when you need to start using a new one.

How long to use it for

You'll usually use brinzolamide for the rest of your life. However, if it does not work well enough or you get side effects your doctor may recommend a different treatment or additional eye drops.

It's important to use your eye drops regularly and go for check-ups, to make sure your vision is not getting worse.

Talk to your doctor if you want to stop using brinzolamide. Stopping could cause the pressure in your eye to rise and could lead to sight loss.

If you forget to use it

If you forget a dose, use a single drop as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. Then use your next dose at the usual time.

If you do not remember until it's nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the normal time.

Never use 2 doses at the same time. Never use an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember your medicines.

If you use too much

Using too many drops can irritate your eye and make it water and turn red.

If you get too much brinzolamide in your eye, rinse it all out with water. Do not put any more drops in until it's time for your next dose.

Any irritation, watering or redness should get better, but if you're worried about it ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.