Combigan

The active ingredient in Combigan is brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate. Brimonidine tartrate is an alpha-adrenergic agonist that functions to increase fluid flow out of the eye and decrease the amount of fluid produced in the eye. Timolol maleate is a beta blocker that reduces the quantity of fluid produced in the eye.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide before using Combigan. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Combigan:

• Wearing contact lenses while taking this medication is not advised. Soft contact lenses may become discolored by a preservative (benzalkonium chloride) found in Combigan. After taking this medication, wait at least fifteen minutes before putting your contact lenses back in.

-Before using the eye drops, wash your hands.

• To apply the Combigan eye drops, pull down your lower eyelid to form a tiny pocket and tilt your head back a little. With the tip down, hold the dropper above the eye. Squeeze out a drop while looking up and away from the dropper.
• Don't use more drops than your doctor has prescribed. Wait roughly five minutes between drops if you use more than one.
• Before applying any additional eye drops that your doctor has prescribed, wait at least ten minutes.
• Avoid putting the eye dropper directly on your eye or touching its tip. Eye infections may occur if your eye drop container gets contaminated with bacteria or other germs.
• If the liquid contains particles or has changed color, do not use the Combigan eye drops.
• Inform your physician immediately if you have an infection or injury to your eyes, or if you require any kind of surgery, particularly eye surgery.
• Your thinking and reactions may be affected by this medication. If you drive or engage in any other activity that calls for alertness, exercise caution.

The most common side effects of Combigan seen in clinical trials include:

• Eye pain.
• Eye dryness.
• Itching, redness, or swelling.
• Drowsiness or sleepiness.

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Combigan. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Allergic reaction: hives, itching, skin rash, red eyes, swelling, and shortness of breath.
• Worsening heart conditions such as heart failure:
• Shortness of breath, hand, foot, or ankle swelling, chest pain, abrupt weight gain, and unusual weakness or exhaustion.
• While rare, brimonidine/timolol may cause the muscles around the airways to tighten (bronchospasm). Stop using brimonidine/timolol and get help right away if you have sudden breathing problems.
• Slow heart rate (sinus bradycardia): lightheadedness, dizziness, disorientation, breathing difficulties, unusual weakness, or exhaustion.
• Low blood pressure when standing up (orthostatic hypotension).
• Masked symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or high thyroid hormone levels (hyperthyroidism).

These are not all of the possible side effects of Combigan. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Combigan, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including if you have:

• If you have a history of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a serious heart condition like AV block, severe heart failure, cardiogenic shock, or slow heartbeats that have caused you to faint, you should avoid using Combigan eye drops. Brimonidine or timolol allergies should also be avoided.
• Tell your doctor if you have any of the following to ensure Combigan is safe for you:
• Coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, or blood clot history.
• Issues with circulation (like Raynaud's phenomenon, which is a condition where small blood vessels in the fingers and toes temporarily narrow, causing them to sometimes feel cold and change color), and low or high blood pressure.
• Depression.
• Diabetes.
• A thyroid condition.
• Any allergies.
• Myasthenia gravis or muscle weakness.

Certain medical conditions or circumstances are known as contraindications, and they raise safety concerns about a medication's use. Because Combigan (brimonidine/timolol) is not safe for you to take, let your doctor know if you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you.

• Breathing issues, such as COPD or asthma.
• Heart failure symptoms.
• Heart block of the second or third degree.
• Slow heartbeat.
• The heart is not pumping enough blood.
• Under two years of age.
• Timolol or brimonidine allergies.

As soon as you take your first dose, Combigan begins to work. Combigan's two active ingredients reduce intraocular pressure quickly. However, you might not be aware of the medication's effectiveness or feel it working in your eye.

When Combigan is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• Digoxin and digitalis.
• Reserpine.
• Antidepressants such as fluoxetine, imipramine, nortriptyline, doxepin, duloxetine, amitriptyline, bupropion, clomipramine, desipramine, and paroxetine.
• Isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine are examples of MAO inhibitors.
• A beta blocker, such as propranolol, sotalol, carvedilol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, nebivolol, and atenolol.
• Medications for heart or blood pressure, such as verapamil, amlodipine, methyldopa, nifedipine, quinidine, and diltiazem.

Combigan is an ophthalmic solution that contains 0.5% timolol and 0.2% brimonidine.

Two years of age and up: One drop is usually administered twice daily, spaced roughly twelve hours apart, to the affected eye or eyes.

Store your Combigan at room temperature as well as out of reach of children.

Combigan is produced by Allergan, Inc., an AbbVie company.

There are several lower-cost generics available of Combigan.

If you have open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, then it is important to not stop or skip your treatment without speaking to your healthcare provider first. Stopping it abruptly could worsen your symptoms.

It is not known whether Combigan is safe to use during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you are already pregnant or if you have any plans to become pregnant. They will know or recommend what is best for you.

Timolol and brimonidine may be found in your breast milk, which can be harmful to a nursing infant. Therefore, breastfeeding is not advised while taking this medication.