Simbrinza vs. Cosopt for Glaucoma and Eye Pressure: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Simbrinza

(brinzolamide / brimonidine)

Cosopt

(dorzolamide / timolol)

Summary for Simbrinza

Prescription only

Simbrinza is a combination eye drop containing two medications: brinzolamide (a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor) and brimonidine (an alpha-2 agonist). It's used to treat glaucoma and high pressure in the eye. The dosage for the eye drops is placed 1 drop placed directly into the eye(s) three times per day to lower the pressure in the eye. Simbrinza is not yet available as a lower-cost generic. Side effects include eye irritation, blurry vision, and changes in taste.

Indications for Simbrinza

Treatment of high pressure in the eye in people ages 2 years and older with:

Pros and Cons for Simbrinza

Pros

Works well to lower eye pressure
Conveniently combines two medications into one eye drop
Can use in children as young as 2 years old

Cons

Must use three times a day
Might not be safe if you're allergic to sulfa medications
Not available as a lower-cost generic

Common Side Effects for Simbrinza

Reported in up to 5% of people:

Blurry vision
Eye irritation
Changes in taste (e.g., bad taste in mouth)
Dry mouth
Eye allergy

Warnings for Simbrinza

Only use in the eye
Severe allergic reactions
Risk for swelling of the cornea in certain people
Risk for worsening of poor blood flow
Risk for eye infection (from contamination)
Take out soft contact lenses before using

Summary for Cosopt

Prescription only

Cosopt is a combination ophthalmic drop (eye drop) medication that contains dorzolamide (a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor) and timolol (a beta blocker). It's used to lower eye pressure for certain people with glaucoma or high eye pressure. Typically, one drop of Cosopt (dorzolamide / timolol) is placed into the affected eye(s) twice a day. Common side effects of this medication include changes in taste, blurry vision, and itchy eyes. Cosopt (dorzolamide / timolol) is available as both brand name and generic medications. It comes in a multi-dose bottle, as well as single-use, preservative-free vials.

Indications for Cosopt

To lower eye pressure in people with open-angle glaucoma or high eye pressure

Pros and Cons for Cosopt

Pros

Available in a preservative-free form if you're sensitive to the preservative, benzalkonium chloride
Available as a lower-cost generic medication
Combines two medications into one eye drop for convenience

Cons

Might not be safe if you're allergic to sulfa medications
Not safe for use in uncontrolled asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Needs to be used twice a day

Common Side Effects for Cosopt

Changes in taste (up to 30%)
Eye burning or stinging (up to 30%)
Blurry vision (5-15%)
Itchy eye (5-15%)
Corneal inflammation (5-15%)
Eye redness (5-15%)

Warnings for Cosopt

Risk of difficulty breathing
Heart failure
Severe allergic and skin reactions
Hiding symptoms of low blood sugar
Hiding symptoms of overactive thyroid
Greater risk during surgery
Cornea swelling
Eye inflammation and infection
Risk of muscle weakness

Prices with our coupons for Simbrinza vs. Cosopt

Simbrinza1 eye dropper / 8ml of 1%/0.2%

$220.58$270.88

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Dorzolamide/Timolol1 eye dropper / 10ml of 2%/0.5%

$16.93$33.53

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Simbrinza vs. Cosopt

Simbrinza

Cosopt

Summary for Simbrinza

Indications for Simbrinza

Pros and Cons for Simbrinza

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Simbrinza

Warnings for Simbrinza

Summary for Cosopt

Indications for Cosopt

Pros and Cons for Cosopt

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Cosopt

Warnings for Cosopt

Prices with our coupons for Simbrinza vs. Cosopt

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Simbrinza

Cosopt

Summary for Simbrinza

Indications for Simbrinza

Pros and Cons for Simbrinza

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Simbrinza

Warnings for Simbrinza

Summary for Cosopt

Indications for Cosopt

Pros and Cons for Cosopt

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Cosopt

Warnings for Cosopt