Simbrinza Side Effects

Generic name: brimonidine / brinzolamide ophthalmic

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 15, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Simbrinza.

Applies to brimonidine/brinzolamide ophthalmic: ophthalmic suspension Side Effects associated with brimonidine / brinzolamide ophthalmic. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Simbrinza.

Applies to brimonidine/brinzolamide ophthalmic: ophthalmic suspension.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

If itching, redness, swelling, or other signs of eye or eyelid irritation occur, check with your doctor. These signs may mean that you are allergic to brimonidine or brinzolamide.

Serious allergic and skin reactions (eg, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis) may occur while using this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have black, tarry stools, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, chills, dark urine, joint or muscle pain, rash, red skin lesions, often with a purple center, sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips, unusual bleeding or bruising, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellow eyes or skin.

If you hurt your eye, develop an eye infection, or need to have an eye surgery, talk with your doctor right away. Your doctor may want you or your child to use a new bottle of eye drops to help prevent an eye infection or keep an infection from getting worse.

You should not use this medicine together with acetazolamide (Ak-Zol®, Diamox®), dorzolamide (Cosopt®, Trusopt®), or methazolamide (Neptazane®). Using these medicines together may increase risk for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause blurred vision or other vision problems. If any of these occur, do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not able to see well. If these reactions are especially bothersome, check with your doctor.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of Simbrinza

Along with its needed effects, brimonidine / 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 brimonidine / brinzolamide ophthalmic:

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

Symptoms of overdose

• confusion
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• muscle cramps or pain
• numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands or feet
• seizures
• sweating
• trembling
• weakness and heaviness of the legs

Other side effects of Simbrinza

Some side effects of brimonidine / 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:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to brimonidine / brinzolamide ophthalmic: ophthalmic suspension.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported side effects were blurred vision, ocular hyperemia, eye allergy, dry mouth, and dysgeusia.^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Contact dermatitis, urticaria, rash, maculo-papular rash, generalized pruritus, alopecia, skin tightness
• Frequency not reported: Dermatitis, erythema^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Dry mouth
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dyspepsia, esophagitis, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, frequent bowel movements, flatulence, oral hypoesthesia, oral paresthesia^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cardio-respiratory distress, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, palpitations, irregular heart rate, bradycardia, tachycardia, hypotension, chest discomfort
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hypertension
• Frequency not reported: Chest pain
• Postmarketing reports: Pallor^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

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

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Somnolence, dizziness, dysgeusia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Headache, motor dysfunction, amnesia, memory impairment, paresthesia, vertigo, tinnitus, feeling jittery
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Syncope
• Frequency not reported: Tremor, hypoesthesia, ageusia
• Postmarketing reports: Coma, lethargy^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Eye allergy, keratitis, eye pain, ocular discomfort, blurred vision, abnormal vision, ocular hyperemia, conjunctival blanching
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Corneal erosion, corneal edema, blepharitis, corneal deposits (keratic precipitates), conjunctival disorder (papilla) , photophobia, photopsia, eye swelling, eyelid edema, conjunctival edema, dry eye, eye discharge, reduced visual acuity, increased lacrimation, pterygium, erythema of eyelid, meibomianitis, diplopia, glare, eye hypoesthesia, scleral pigmentation, subconjunctival cyst, abnormal sensation in eye, asthenopia
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Uveitis, miosis
• Frequency not reported: Visual disturbances, madarosis
• Postmarketing reports: Iritis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca^[Ref]

Other

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pain, feeling abnormal, irritability
• Frequency not reported: Face edema, peripheral edema
• Postmarketing reports: Hypothermia^[Ref]

Psychiatric

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

Renal

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

Respiratory

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nasopharyngitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, dyspnea, bronchial hyperactivity, pharyngolaryngeal pain, dry throat, cough, epistaxis, upper respiratory tract congestion, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, throat irritation, nasal dryness, postnasal drip, sneezing
• Frequency not reported: Rhinitis, asthma
• Postmarketing reports: Apnea, respiratory depression^[Ref]

Genitourinary

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

Hematologic

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

Hepatic

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

See also:

Further information

Simbrinza 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