Brinzolamide/Brimonidine Tartrate
FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Simbrinza
- Brand Names
- Simbrinza
- Drug Class
- Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitor [EPC]
- Route
- OPHTHALMIC
- Dosage Form
- SUSPENSION/ DROPS
- Product Type
- HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
Description
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. Its empirical formula is C 12 H 21 N 3 O 5 S 3 , and its structural formula is: Brinzolamide has a molecular weight of 383.5 g/mol. It is a white powder, which is insoluble in water, very soluble in methanol and soluble in ethanol. Brimonidine tartrate is described chemically as: 5-bromo-6-(2-imidazolidinylideneamino) quinoxaline L-tartrate. Its empirical formula of C 11 H 10 BrN 5 – C 4 H 6 O 6 and its structural formula is: Brimonidine tartrate has a molecular weight of 442.2 g/mol. It is a white to yellow powder that is soluble in water (34 mg/mL) at pH 6.5. SIMBRINZA (brinzolamide/brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic suspension) 1%/0.2% is supplied as a sterile, aqueous suspension which has been formulated to be readily suspended following shaking. It has a pH of approximately 6.5 and an osmolality of approximately 270 mOsm/kg. Each mL of SIMBRINZA (brinzolamide/brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic suspension) 1%/0.2% contains: Active ingredients: brinzolamide 10 mg, brimonidine tartrate 2 mg (equivalent to 1.32 mg as brimonidine free base); Preservative: benzalkonium chloride 0.03 mg; Inactive ingredients: boric acid, carbomer 974P, mannitol , propylene glycol, purified water, sodium chloride and tyloxapol. Hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide may be added to adjust pH.
What Is Brinzolamide/Brimonidine Tartrate Used For?
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)
Dosage and Administration
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)
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
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 the rates observed in practice. SIMBRINZA In two clinical trials of three months duration 435 patients were treated with SIMBRINZA, and 915 were treated with the two individual components. The most frequently reported adverse reactions in patients treated with SIMBRINZA occurring in approximately 3% to 5% of patients in descending order of incidence were blurred vision, eye irritation, dysgeusia (bad taste), dry mouth, and eye allergy. Rates of adverse reactions reported with the individual components were comparable. Treatment discontinuation, mainly due to adverse reactions, was reported in 11% of SIMBRINZA patients. Other adverse reactions that have been reported with the individual components during clinical trials are listed below. Brinzolamide 1% In clinical studies of brinzolamide ophthalmic suspension 1%, the most frequently reported adverse reactions reported in 5% to 10% of patients were blurred vision and bitter, sour or unusual taste. Adverse reactions occurring in 1% to 5% of patients were blepharitis, dermatitis, dry eye, foreign body sensation, headache, hyperemia, ocular discharge, ocular discomfort, ocular keratitis, ocular pain, ocular pruritus and rhinitis. The following adverse reactions were reported at an incidence below 1%: allergic reactions, alopecia, chest pain, conjunctivitis, diarrhea, diplopia, dizziness, dry mouth, dyspnea, dyspepsia, eye fatigue, hypertonia, keratoconjunctivitis, keratopathy, kidney pain, lid margin crusting or sticky sensation, nausea, pharyngitis, tearing and urticaria. Brimonidine Tartrate 0.2% In clinical studies of brimonidine tartrate 0.2%, adverse reactions occurring in approximately 10% to 30% of the subjects, in descending order of incidence, included oral dryness, ocular hyperemia, burning and stinging, headache, blurring, foreign body sensation, fatigue/drowsiness, conjunctival follicles, ocular allergic reactions, and ocular pruritus. Reactions occurring in approximately 3% to 9% of the subjects, in descending order included corneal staining/erosion, photophobia, eyelid erythema, ocular ache/pain, ocular dryness, tearing, upper respiratory symptoms, eyelid edema, conjunctival edema, dizziness, blepharitis, ocular irritation, gastrointestinal symptoms, asthenia, conjunctival blanching, abnormal vision and muscular pain. The following adverse reactions were reported in less than 3% of the patients: lid crusting, conjunctival hemorrhage, abnormal taste, insomnia, conjunctival discharge, depression, hypertension, anxiety, palpitations/arrhythmias, nasal dryness and syncope. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience Brinzolamide The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of brinzolamide containing products. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Serious skin and subcutaneous tissue reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) may occur with the use of brinzolamide due to the sulfonamide component [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Patient Counseling Information Sulfonamide Reactions (17) ]. Brimonidine Tartrate The following reactions have been identified during postmarketing use of brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solutions in clinical practice. Because they...
Drug 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. The concomitant administration of SIMBRINZA and oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors is not recommended. 7.2 High-Dose Salicylate Therapy Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors may produce acid-base and electrolyte alterations. These alterations were not reported in the clinical trials with brinzolamide ophthalmic suspension 1%. However, in patients treated with oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, rare instances of acid-base alterations have occurred with high-dose salicylate therapy. Therefore, the potential for such drug interactions should be considered in patients receiving SIMBRINZA. 7.3 Central Nervous System Depressants Although specific drug interaction studies have not been conducted with SIMBRINZA, the possibility of an additive or potentiating effect with Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants (alcohol, opiates, barbiturates, sedatives, or anesthetics) should be considered. 7.4 Antihypertensives/Cardiac Glycosides Because brimonidine tartrate, a component of SIMBRINZA, may reduce blood pressure, caution in using drugs such as antihypertensives and/or cardiac glycosides with SIMBRINZA is advised. 7.5 Tricyclic Antidepressants Tricyclic antidepressants have been reported to blunt the hypotensive effect of systemic clonidine. It is not known whether the concurrent use of these agents with SIMBRINZA in humans can lead to resulting interference with the IOP lowering effect. Caution is advised in patients taking tricyclic antidepressants which can affect the metabolism and uptake of circulating amines. 7.6 Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors may theoretically interfere with the metabolism of brimonidine tartrate and potentially result in an increased systemic side-effect such as hypotension. Caution is advised in patients taking MAO inhibitors which can affect the metabolism and uptake of circulating amines.
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) ].
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
8.1 Pregnancy Developmental toxicity studies with brinzolamide in rabbits at oral doses of 1, 3, and 6 mg/kg/day (20, 60, and 120 times the recommended human ophthalmic dose) produced maternal toxicity at 6 mg/kg/day and a significant increase in the number of fetal variations, such as accessory skull bones, which was only slightly higher than the historic value at 1 and 6 mg/kg. In rats, statistically decreased body weights of fetuses from dams receiving oral doses of 18 mg/kg/day (180 times the recommended human ophthalmic dose) during gestation were proportional to the reduced maternal weight gain, with no statistically significant effects on organ or tissue development. Increases in unossified sternebrae, reduced ossification of the skull, and unossified hyoid that occurred at 6 and 18 mg/kg were not statistically significant. No treatment-related malformations were seen. Following oral administration of 14 C-brinzolamide to pregnant rats, radioactivity was found to cross the placenta and was present in the fetal tissues and blood. 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 the fetal circulation to a limited extent. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. SIMBRINZA should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Overdosage
10 OVERDOSAGE Although no human data are available, electrolyte imbalance, development of an acidotic state, and possible nervous system effects may occur following an oral overdose of brinzolamide. Serum electrolyte levels (particularly potassium) and blood pH levels should be monitored. Very limited information exists on accidental ingestion of brimonidine in adults; the only adverse event reported to date has been hypotension. Symptoms of brimonidine overdose have been reported in neonates, infants, and children receiving brimonidine as part of medical treatment of congenital glaucoma or by accidental oral ingestion. Treatment of an oral overdose includes supportive and symptomatic therapy; a patent airway should be maintained.
How Supplied
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING SIMBRINZA (brinzolamide/brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic suspension) 1%/0.2% is supplied in white low density polyethylene (LDPE) DROP-TAINER ® bottles with a natural LDPE dispensing-tip and light green polypropylene cap as follows: 8 mL in a 10 mL bottle NDC 0065-4147-27 Storage and Handling Store SIMBRINZA at 2°C to 25°C (36°F to 77°F). After opening, SIMBRINZA can be used until the expiration date on the bottle.
About This Information
This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.
What are side effects?
Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.
What are drug interactions?
Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.