Azopt Eye Drops

Brinzolamide 1.0%

What Azopt Is Used For

Azopt Eye Drops contain the active ingredient brinzolamide, which belongs to a class of medicines known as "carbonic anhydrase inhibitors". Azopt Eye Drops are used, either alone or in combination with other eye drops/medicines, to lower raised pressure in the eye and to treat glaucoma. Glaucoma is usually caused by a build up of the fluid which flows through the eye, leading to an increase in the pressure within the eye; some people with glaucoma may, however, have normal pressure within the eye. Azopt Eye Drops lower the pressure within the eye by reducing the production of fluid. Although Azopt Eye Drops help to control your glaucoma, they do not cure it. Azopt Eye Drops are not addictive.

Before You Use Azopt

Let your physician know if any of the following applies to you before you start using Azopt Eye Drops:

• You are allergic to brinzolamide, any of the other ingredients in Azopt Eye Drops (these are listed under "Product Description") or you have ever experienced a reaction to any other carbonic anhydrase inhibitor;
• You are allergic to sulfonamide medicines;
• You have liver problems;
• You have severe kidney disease;
• You have high levels of chloride in your blood (hyperchloraemia);
• You are pregnant, or are intending to become pregnant;
• You are breastfeeding;
• You are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy at a pharmacy or health food shop without a physician's prescription. This is particularly important if you are currently taking any tablets to treat glaucoma or you are using any other type of eye drops.

Azopt Eye Drops are not recommended for use in children.

Do not put Azopt Eye Drops into your eye(s) while you are wearing soft contact lenses. You can put your soft contact lenses into your eyes 15 minutes after you have used Azopt Eye Drops.

Using Azopt

The usual dose of Azopt Eye Drops is one drop in the affected eye(s) twice each day. Follow all directions given to you by your physician carefully. Use Azopt Eye Drops at about the same time every day unless your physician tells you otherwise. If you are being changed from one eye drop to another, follow your physician's instructions carefully as to when to stop the old drops and when to start the new drops. After using Azopt Eye Drops wait at least 5 minutes before putting any other eye drops in your eye(s). If you are unsure about when, or how, to stop using Azopt Eye Drops you should talk to your physician.

How to use Azopt

Follow these steps to use Azopt Eye Drops:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
2. Shake the bottle.
3. Remove the cap from the bottle.
4. Hold the bottle upside down in one hand between your thumb and middle finger.
5. Hold the bottle upside down.
6. Tilt you head back and look up.
7. Using your other hand, gently pull down your lower eyelid to form a pouch/pocket.
8. Place the dropper tip close to, but not touching, your eye. Release one drop into the pouch/pocket formed between your eye and eyelid by gently tapping or pressing the base of the bottle with your forefinger (see Diagrams 2 and 3). Press the base of the bottle. Release a drop into the pocket formed by the eye and eyelid.
9. Close your eye gently without blinking and press on the inside corner of the eye with the pad of your index finger for two minutes.
10. Replace the cap on the bottle, closing it tightly.
11. Wash your hands again with soap and water to remove any residue.

You may feel a slight burning sensation in the eye shortly after using Azopt Eye Drops. If this persists, or is very uncomfortable, contact your physician or pharmacist.

Do not touch the tip of the dropper to your eye or to any other surface. This will help to prevent your eye drops becoming dirty or contaminated.

While You Are Using Azopt

You should:

• Have your eye pressure checked when your eye specialist says to make sure that Azopt Eye Drops are working.
• Tell your physician if you become pregnant while you are using Azopt Eye Drops.
• Tell your physician and pharmacist that you are using Azopt Eye Drops before you start taking any other medicines.

Do not:

• let children handle Azopt Eye Drops.
• stop using Azopt Eye Drops without first asking your physician.
• give this medicine to anyone else, even if they appear to have the same condition as you
• drive or operate any machinery if Azopt Eye Drops affect your vision or make you feel drowsy in any way.

Side Effects

All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects. Tell your physician as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using Azopt Eye Drops.

Most side effects from Azopt Eye Drops occur in, or around, the eye. These include:

• Blurred or abnormal vision;
• Irritation or feeling of something in the eye(s);
• Redness of the eye(s);
• Dry eye(s);
• Discharge from the eye(s);
• Itchy eye(s);
• Watering of the eye(s).

Additional side effects that are noticed more rarely in the eye include:

• Swelling of the eyelid(s);
• Crusty eyelashes;
• Sticky sensation in the eye(s);
• Tired eye(s);
• Sensitivity to bright lights;
• Double vision.

Occasionally some people notice unwanted effects in the rest of their body as a result of using Azopt Eye Drops. These effects may include:

• Chest pain;
• Unusual tiredness or weakness;
• Dry mouth and/or nose;
• Nausea, indigestion, diarrhoea and/or upset stomach;
• Tingling, numbness and/or dizziness;
• Depression;
• Abnormal dreams;
• Muscle stiffness;
• Agitation;
• Loss of memory;
• Nervousness;
• Sore throat and/or coughing;
• Bleeding nose;
• Hair loss;
• Persistent noises in the ear(s);
• Impotence;
• Kidney pain.

Tell your physician immediately if any of the following side effects are noticed:

• Skin rash, itching and/or hives;
• Shortness of breath.

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Let your physician know if you observe any unwanted effects while using Azopt Eye Drops, even if they do not appear in the lists above.

Delivery Time: 7-14 Days