Simbrinza (brinzolamide/brimonidine tartrate) is a brand-name medication prescribed to help treat increased eye pressure in adults and some children. Simbrinza comes as an eye drop that’s typically used three times daily.

Simbrinza is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat:

Simbrinza has two active ingredients:

  • brinzolamide, which belongs to a drug class called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
  • brimonidine tartrate, which belongs to a drug class called alpha-2-adrenergic receptor antagonists

Simbrinza is not available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Simbrinza, including its strength and how to use the medication. For a comprehensive look at Simbrinza, see this article.

Note: This article describes the typical dosage of Simbrinza provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Simbrinza, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Below is information about Simbrinza’s recommended dosage.

Simbrinza form

Simbrinza comes as a suspension (a type of liquid mixture) in a dropper bottle.

Simbrinza strength

Simbrinza comes in one strength: 1% brinzolamide and 0.2% brimonidine tartrate. There are 10 milligrams (mg) of brinzolamide and 2 mg of brimonidine tartrate in each milliliter (mL) of suspension.

Simbrinza is available in a bottle containing 8 mL of suspension.

Typical dosages

The following information describes the dosage that’s commonly prescribed or recommended in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for increased eye pressure

Simbrinza is prescribed to lower increased eye pressure due to open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The recommended dosage is one drop into the affected eye(s) three times daily.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Children’s dosage

Simbrinza is approved to lower increased eye pressure due to open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension in children ages 2 years and older. The recommended dosage is one drop into the affected eye(s) three times daily.

Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.

How to use Simbrinza

It’s best to use Simbrinza as instructed by your doctor or pharmacist. They can show you how to correctly use Simbrinza eye drops.

Be sure to shake the bottle well before administering your dose. If you’re using other eye drops at the same time as Simbrinza, separate the doses by at least 5 minutes. This allows each medication to be better absorbed in the eye.

If you wear contact lenses, take them out before putting the drops in your eye(s). You may put your contact lenses back in 15 minutes after using Simbrinza.

It’s important to wash your hands before using Simbrinza. Do not touch the tip of the bottle to your eye, hands, or any other surface. This helps prevents bacteria on the tip of the bottle from getting into your eye, which can lead to an eye infection. Make sure to put the cap back on the bottle right after using Simbrinza.

If you have questions about how to use Simbrinza, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Long-term treatment

Simbrinza is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Simbrinza is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely use it long term.

Before you start using Simbrinza, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

It’s important that you do not use more Simbrinza than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

Effects of an overdose

Simbrinza is intended to be used as an eye drop. But if Simbrinza is taken by mouth, symptoms of an overdose may occur. Overdose effects of Simbrinza can include:

If you use more than the recommended amount of Simbrinza

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve used too much Simbrinza. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Simbrinza and dosage.

Is the dosage of Simbrinza similar to the dosage of Combigan?

Yes, the forms and how often you take each drug are similar. Simbrinza and Combigan are both liquids that are used as eye drops. However, Simbrinza is typically used three times daily and Combigan is used twice daily.

The dose in milligrams (mg) for each drug differs because they have different active ingredients. (Combigan contains brimonidine tartrate and timolol maleate.) Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.

How long does it take for Simbrinza to start working?

Simbrinza starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your eye. But your eye doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Simbrinza treatment.

What should I do for a missed dose of Simbrinza?

If you miss a dose of Simbrinza, call your doctor or pharmacist about whether to take the dose. If it’s close to the time of your next scheduled dose, they may have you skip the missed dose. Then, you’ll take your next scheduled dose.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

If you’d like more information about increased eye pressure and related conditions, you can explore our eye health hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.