drug-medicine : azopt eye drops suspension

PACKAGE LEAFLET

AZOPT 10 mg/ml eye drops, suspension
Brinzolamide

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine.

This medicine has been prescribed for you personally. You should not pass it on to other people. It may harm them even if they have the same illness as you.

Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again. If you still have questions after reading it, please ask your doctor or your pharmacist.

The active substance is brinzolamide 10 mg/ml.

Other ingredients: benzalkonium chloride, carbomer 974P, edetate disodium, mannitol, purified water, sodium chloride, tyloxapol.

Tiny amounts of hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide are sometimes added to keep acidity levels (pH levels) normal.

1. WHAT AZOPT DOES

AZOPT eye drops are used to treat high pressure in the eye. This pressure can lead to an illness called glaucoma.

High pressure in the eye. Your eyeballs contain a clear, watery liquid which feeds the inside of the eye. Liquid is always emptying out of the eye, and more liquid is always being produced. If the eye fills up faster than it empties, the pressure inside the eye builds up. If it gets too high it can damage your sight.

AZOPT is one of a group of medicines for glaucoma called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. It works by cutting down the production of liquid, which lowers the pressure in the eye. It may be used on its own or with other drops called beta-blockers, which also reduce pressure.

AZOPT is a milky liquid (a suspension) supplied in a pack containing a 5 ml or a 10 ml plastic (droptainer) bottle with a screw cap, or in a pack containing three 5 ml plastic (droptainer) bottles with screw caps. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

2. BEFORE YOU USE AZOPT

Do not use AZOPT...

if you have kidney problems.
if you are allergic to brinzolamide or any of the other ingredients.
if you are allergic to medicines called sulphonamides. AZOPT may cause the same allergy.
if you have a condition called hyperchloraemic acidosis (too much acidity in your blood).

Ask your doctor for advice.

Take special care using AZOPT...

if you have liver problems. Talk to your doctor.
if you have dry eyes or cornea problems. Talk to your doctor.
if you wear soft contact lenses. Don't use the drops with your lenses in. Wait 15 minutes after using the drops before putting your lenses back in to your eyes. A preservative in AZOPT (benzalkonium chloride) may cause eye irritation and is also known to discolour soft contact lenses.

AZOPT is not to be used by people under 18 years of age.

Pregnant/breast-feeding women

If you are pregnant, or might get pregnant, talk to your doctor before you use AZOPT.

If you are breast-feeding, don't use AZOPT; it may get into your milk.

Driving or using machines

You may find that your vision is blurred for a time just after you use AZOPT. Some people have found themselves sleepy or dizzy when taking AZOPT. Do not drive or use machines until this has worn off.

AZOPT and other medicines

If you are taking another carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (acetazolamide or dorzolamide, see section 1 WHAT AZOPT DOES), talk to your doctor.

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking (or recently took) any other medicines. Remember to mention also medicines that you bought without prescription, over the counter.

3. HOW TO USE AZOPT

The usual dose

Adults: 1 drop in the eye or eyes, twice a day - morning and night.

Use this much unless your doctor told you to do something different. Only use AZOPT in both eyes if your doctor told you to. Take it for as long as your doctor told you to.

Only use AZOPT for dropping in your eyes.

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3. HOW TO USE AZOPT (continued)

How much to use

< see side 1

Get the AZOPT bottle and a mirror
Wash your hands
Shake the bottle and twist off the cap
Hold the bottle, pointing down, between your thumb and middle finger
Tilt your head back. Pull down your eyelid with a clean finger, until there is a 'pocket' between the eyelid and your eye. The drop will go in here (picture 1)
Bring the bottle tip close to the eye. Use the mirror if it helps
Don't touch your eye or eyelid, surrounding areas or other surfaces with the dropper. It could infect the drops
Gently press on the base of the bottle to release one drop of AZOPT at a time.
Don't squeeze the bottle: it is designed so that a gentle press on the bottom is all that it needs (picture 2)
After using AZOPT, press a finger to the corner of your eye, by the nose (picture 3). This helps to stop AZOPT getting into the rest of the body.
If you take drops in both eyes, repeat the steps for your other eye.
Put the bottle cap back on firmly immediately after use
Use up one bottle before opening the next bottle.

If a drop misses your eye, try again.

If you get too much in your eyes, rinse it all out with warm water. Don't put in any more drops until it's time for your next regular dose.

If you forget to use AZOPT, use a single drop as soon as you remember, and then go back to your regular routine. Do not use a double dose to make up.

If you are using other eye drops, leave at least 5 minutes between putting in AZOPT and the other drops.

4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

Some people who use AZOPT may get side effects. They can be unpleasant, but most of them soon pass.

You can usually carry on taking the drops, unless the effects are serious. If you're worried, talk to a doctor or pharmacist.

Common side effects

One or more of these may affect up to 6 in every 100 people.

Effects in the eye: Temporary blurred vision, burning or stinging feeling just after using the drops; feeling of something in your eye; red eyes.

Effects in the body: Bitter or sour taste; headaches.

Uncommon side effects

May effect up to 1 in every 100 people

Effects in the eye: Discharge, pain, itching; inflammation of or damage to the eyeball surface; inflammation or crusting on the eyelids; increased tear production; tired or dry eyes; abnormal vision; flashes of light; deposit on the surface of the eye.

Effects in the body: Upset stomach, feeling sick, heartburn; breathlessness, chest pains, bronchitis; dry mouth, sore throat, nasal or sinus problems including runny nose or nose bleeds; bleeding in mouth; numbness or tingling sensation in fingers and toes; depression, dizziness; losing hair; skin irritation, rash, cough.

If you notice any side effects not mentioned in this leaflet, please inform your doctor or pharmacist

5. KEEPING AZOPT

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

You must throw away a bottle four weeks after you first opened it, to prevent infections. Write down the date you opened each bottle in the space below and in the space on the bottle label and box. For a pack containing a single bottle, write only one date.

Opened (1):

Opened (2):

Opened (3):

Keep the drops in a safe place where children can't see or reach them.

Don't use the drops after the expiry date (marked 'EXP') on the bottle and the box.

If you have any other questions about your medicines you should ask a doctor or pharmacist.

Medicine: azopt eye drops suspension