Brinzolamide/Brimonidine Tartrate

Brand Names: Simbrinza

Drug Class: Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitor

Overview

11 DESCRIPTION SIMBRINZA (brinzolamide/brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic suspension) 1%/0.2% is a fixed combination of a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and an alpha 2 adrenergic receptor agonist for topical ophthalmic use. Brinzolamide is described chemically as: (R)-(+)-4-Ethylamino-2-(3-methoxypropyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-thieno [3,2-e]-1,2-thiazine-6-sulfonamide-1,1- dioxide.

Mechanism of Action

12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 12.1 Mechanism of Action SIMBRINZA is comprised of two components: brinzolamide (carbonic anhydrase inhibitor) and brimonidine tartrate (alpha 2 adrenergic receptor agonist). Each of these two components decreases elevated IOP. Elevated IOP is a major risk factor in the pathogenesis of optic nerve damage and glaucomatous visual field loss. The higher the level of IOP, the greater the likelihood of glaucomatous field loss and optic nerve damage. Brinzolamide inhibits carbonic anhydrase in the ciliary processes of the eye to decrease aqueous humor secretion, presumably by slowing the formation of bicarbonate ions with subsequent reduction in sodium and fluid transport. Brinzolamide has a peak ocular hypotensive effect occurring at 2 to 3 hours post-dosing.

Indications

  • 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE SIMBRINZA (brinzolamide/brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic suspension) 1%/0.2% is a fixed combination of a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and an alpha 2 adrenergic receptor agonist indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. SIMBRINZA is a combination of brinzolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, and brimonidine tartrate, an alpha adrenergic agonist, indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. (1)

Common Doses

  • Refer to label

Dosage

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended dose is one drop of SIMBRINZA in the affected eye(s) three times daily. Shake well before use. SIMBRINZA ophthalmic suspension may be used concomitantly with other topical ophthalmic drug products to lower IOP. If more than one topical ophthalmic drug is being used, the drugs should be administered at least five (5) minutes apart. Shake well before use. Instill one drop in the affected eye(s) three times daily. If more than one topical ophthalmic drug is being used, the drugs should be administered at least five minutes apart. (2)

Contraindications

  • 4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Hypersensitivity to any component of this product. (4.1) Neonates and infants (under the age of two years). (4.2) 4.1 Hypersensitivity SIMBRINZA is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to any component of this product. 4.2 Neonates and Infants (under the age of two years) SIMBRINZA is contraindicated in neonates and infants (under the age of two years ) [see Use in Specific Populations (8.4) ].

Side Effects

  • 6 ADVERSE REACTIONS Most common adverse reactions occurring in approximately 3% to 5% of patients included blurred vision, eye irritation, dysgeusia (bad taste), dry mouth, eye allergy. (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Alcon Laboratories, Inc. at 1-800-757-9195 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to the rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect...

Interactions

  • 7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Oral Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors (7.1) High-dose Salicylate Therapy (7.2) Central Nervous System Depressants (7.3) Antihypertensives/Cardiac Glycosides (7.4) Tricyclic Antidepressants (7.5) Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) Inhibitors (7.6) 7.1 Oral Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors There is a potential for an additive effect on the known systemic effects of carbonic anhydrase inhibition in patients receiving an oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and brinzolamide ophthalmic suspension 1%, a component of SIMBRINZA ophthalmic suspension.