Collirio di brinzolamide per il glaucoma

About brinzolamide eye drops

An increase in pressure within your eye can lead to damage to the optic nerve at the back of your eye. When this occurs it is called glaucoma. Glaucoma can lead to a loss of vision if it is not treated. If you have an increased pressure within your eye but without any damage to the optic nerve, this is called ocular hypertension. People with ocular hypertension have an increased risk of later developing glaucoma. Treatment with eye drops such as brinzolamide helps to reduce eye pressure in people with ocular hypertension, and to prevent further eye damage in people with glaucoma.

Brinzolamide works by blocking the action of an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase. Blocking this enzyme reduces the amount of fluid that you make in the front part of your eye (called aqueous humour), and this helps to lower the pressure within your eye.

Sometimes, more than one type of eye drop is needed to keep the pressure in the eye low. If this is the case for you, you may be asked to use two different eye drops, or you may be given drops which combine more than one type. Brinzolamide is available as a combination eye drop with a beta-blocker called timololo (in a brand called Azarga®), and with a medicine called brimonidina (in a brand called Simbrinza®).

Before using brinzolamide eye drops

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start using the drops it is important that your doctor knows:

• Se sei incinta o stai allattando.

• If you have any problems with the way your kidneys work or with the way your liver works.

• Se indossi lenti a contatto morbide.

• If you have a condition where your blood acidity is too high, called hyperchloraemic acidosis.

• If you are taking any medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine. It is particularly important that you tell your doctor if you have ever had a bad reaction to any other eye drops, or to a type of medicine known as a 'sulfonamide'.

How to use brinzolamide eye drops

1. Lavati bene le mani prima di usare le gocce.

2. Rimuovi il tappo.

3. Inclina leggermente la testa all'indietro e tira verso il basso la palpebra inferiore per formare una tasca.

4. Tieni la bottiglia capovolta vicino al tuo occhio. Cerca di non toccare l'occhio mentre lo fai.

5. Apply enough pressure to the base of the bottle to release one drop into your eye. Only use a second drop if the first drop missed going into your eye.

6. Chiudi l'occhio per un minuto o due e premi delicatamente sul lato del naso dove l'angolo dell'occhio incontra il naso. Questo aiuta a impedire che la goccia defluisca e la mantiene nell'occhio.

7. Ripeti il processo nell'altro occhio se ti è stato detto di usare le gocce in entrambi gli occhi.

8. Rimetti il tappo.

Ottenere il massimo dal tuo trattamento

• Prima di iniziare a usare il collirio, leggi il foglietto illustrativo stampato dal produttore nella confezione. Ti fornirà ulteriori informazioni sul collirio e ti fornirà un elenco completo degli effetti collaterali che potresti riscontrare utilizzandolo.

• Use one drop into the eye (or eyes) affected. The drops are usually used two or three times each day, but your doctor will tell you how many times a day is right for you - your dose will also be printed on the label of the pack. Remember to use the drops at regular intervals and try not to miss any doses.

• If you forget to use the drops, put them in as soon as you remember, but do not 'double up' to make up for any missed doses.

• Fai attenzione a non toccare la punta del contagocce con l'occhio, le dita o qualsiasi altra superficie. Questo serve a prevenire la contaminazione delle gocce.

• Se stai usando altri colliri, lascia passare 5-10 minuti tra l'applicazione di ciascuno. Questo per evitare che entri più liquido nell'occhio di quanto possa gestire. Altrimenti le gocce traboccheranno dall'occhio e non avranno l'effetto desiderato.

• Quando vengono instillate per la prima volta, le gocce oculari possono far lacrimare gli occhi e talvolta causare visione offuscata. Se ciò accade, dovrebbe risolversi rapidamente. Assicurati di vedere chiaramente di nuovo prima di guidare e prima di usare strumenti o macchinari.

• Do not wear soft contact lenses unless your doctor has advised you otherwise. This is because there is a preservative in bottles of eye drops which can affect soft contact lenses.

• Keep your regular appointments with your doctor and eye clinic so that your progress can be checked.

• If you are having an operation or any dental treatment, remember to tell the person carrying out the treatment about any medicines you are taking or using.

Can brinzolamide eye drops cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, eye drops can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains the most common ones associated with brinzolamide. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your drops. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

How to store brinzolamide eye drops

• Tenere tutti i medicinali fuori dalla portata e dalla vista dei bambini.

• Conservare in un luogo fresco e asciutto, lontano da fonti di calore e luce diretta.

• Eye drops in bottles only keep for four weeks once the bottle has been opened, so do not use the drops if the bottle has been open for longer than this. This will help reduce the risk of eye infections.

Informazioni importanti su tutti i medicinali