Brinzolamide Ophthalmic Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 3, 2024.

Applies to brinzolamide ophthalmic: ophthalmic suspension.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, brinzolamide ophthalmic may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking brinzolamide ophthalmic:

More common side effects

• blurred vision

Less common side effects

• discharge from the eye
• dry eyes
• redness, soreness, irritation, or pain of the eye or eyelid
• skin rash

Rare side effects

• chest pain
• cough
• crusting in the corner of the eye
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• double vision
• excessive muscle tone
• eye redness, irritation, or pain
• fast heartbeat
• hives
• itching, swelling, or other signs of eye or eyelid irritation
• kidney pain
• muscle stiffness
• muscle tension or tightness
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• seeing double
• shortness of breath
• sore throat
• tightness in the chest
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• wheezing

Incidence not known

• abdominal or stomach pain
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• chills
• clay-colored stools
• dark urine
• diarrhea
• fever with or without chills
• general feeling of tiredness or weakness
• headache
• hoarseness
• joint or muscle pain
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• nausea
• painful or difficult urination
• red or irritated eyes
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• swollen or painful glands
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• vomiting of blood
• yellow eyes or skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking brinzolamide ophthalmic:

Symptoms of overdose

• confusion
• irregular heartbeat
• muscle cramps or pain
• numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands or feet
• seizures
• trembling
• weakness and heaviness of the legs

Other side effects

Some side effects of brinzolamide ophthalmic may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• bitter, sour, or other unusual taste

Less common side effects

• burning, stinging, or discomfort when medicine is applied
• dry eyes
• feeling of something in the eye
• runny nose
• sneezing
• stuffy nose

Rare side effects

• acid or sour stomach
• belching
• body aches or pain
• congestion
• difficult or labored breathing
• dry mouth
• hair loss
• heartburn
• hives or welts
• indigestion
• stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
• tender, swollen glands in the neck
• thinning of the hair
• voice changes

For healthcare professionals

Applies to brinzolamide ophthalmic: ophthalmic suspension.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported adverse reactions were blurred vision and bitter, sour or unusual taste.^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Allergic reactions
• Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity^[Ref]

Other

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pain, asthenia, fatigue, feeling abnormal, feeling jittery
• Frequency not reported: Peripheral edema, malaise, medication residue^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dysgeusia, tinnitus
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dizziness, hypertonia, somnolence, motor dysfunction, amnesia, memory impairment, paresthesia
• Frequency not reported: Tremor, hypoesthesia, ageusia, vertigo^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Dermatitis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Alopecia, urticaria, rash, maculo-papular rash, generalized pruritus, skin tightness^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diarrhea, dry mouth, dyspepsia, nausea, esophagitis, vomiting, upper abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, stomach discomfort, flatulence, frequent bowel movements, gastrointestinal disorder, oral hypoesthesia, oral paresthesia^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Rhinitis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dyspnea, pharyngitis, nasopharyngitis, sinusitis, bronchial hyperactivity, cough, epistaxis, pharyngolaryngeal pain, throat irritation, nasal congestion, upper respiratory tract congestion, postnasal drip, rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal dryness
• Frequency not reported: Asthma^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cardio-respiratory distress, angina pectoris, bradycardia, irregular palpitations
• Frequency not reported: Arrhythmia, tachycardia, hypertension, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Back pain, muscle spasms, myalgia
• Frequency not reported: Arthralgia, pain in extremity^[Ref]

Renal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Kidney pain
• Frequency not reported: Pollakiuria^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Blepharitis, dry eye, foreign body sensation, ocular hyperemia, ocular discharge, ocular discomfort, ocular keratitis, ocular pain, ocular pruritus, blurred vision, eye irritation
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Conjunctivitis, diplopia, eye fatigue, keratoconjunctivitis, lid margin crusting or sticky sensation, tearing, corneal erosion, punctate keratitis, keratopathy, corneal staining, corneal epithelium defect, corneal epithelium disorder, increased intraocular pressure, increased optic nerve cup/disc ratio, corneal edema, eye swelling, meibomianitis, glare, photophobia, photopsia, reduced visual acuity, allergic conjunctivitis, pterygium, scleral pigmentation, asthenopia, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, eye hypoesthesia, subconjunctival cyst, conjunctival hyperemia, eyelids pruritus
• Frequency not reported: Corneal disorder, visual disturbance, eye allergy, madarosis, eyelid disorder, eyelid erythema^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Decreased libido, erectile dysfunction^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Decreased red blood cell count, increased blood chloride^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Frequency not reported: Abnormal liver function test^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Apathy, depression, depressed mood, nightmare, insomnia, nervousness, irritability^[Ref]

Further information

Brinzolamide ophthalmic side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer