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Compare Simbrinza vs. Cosopt

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Simbrinza (brinzolamide/brimonidine) and Cosopt (dorzolamide/timolol) are both eye drop medications used to lower eye pressure in people with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension (high eye pressure). But they have several differences. Simbrinza combines a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (brinzolamide) and an alpha agonist (brimonidine). Cosopt contains a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (dorzolamide) and a beta blocker (timolol). Simbrinza is typically used 3 times a day and is only available as a brand medication, making it potentially more expensive. In contrast, Cosopt is used twice a day and is available in both brand and generic forms, which can be more affordable. Cosopt also offers a preservative-free option for those sensitive to preservatives, while Simbrinza does not. Additionally, Cosopt is not recommended for people with certain heart or lung conditions, such as uncontrolled asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), due to the presence of timolol. Both medications require careful handling to avoid contamination and should not be used with contact lenses immediately after application.

drug combination

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  • Simbrinza (brinzolamide / brimonidine)
    Cosopt (dorzolamide / timolol)
  • Simbrinza (brinzolamide / brimonidine)
    Cosopt (dorzolamide / timolol)

  • Summary of Simbrinza vs. Cosopt

    Summary for Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor / Alpha agonist
    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.

    Summary for Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor / Beta blocker
    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 of Simbrinza vs. Cosopt

    Indications for

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

    •Ocular hypertension
    •Open-angle glaucoma
    Indications for
    •To lower eye pressure in people with open-angle glaucoma or high eye pressure

  • Pros and Cons of Simbrinza vs. Cosopt

    Pros and Const for Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor / Alpha agonist
    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
    Pros and Const for Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor / Beta blocker
    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 of Simbrinza vs. Cosopt

    Common Side Effects for

    Reported in up to 5% of people:

    •Blurry vision
    •Eye irritation
    •Changes in taste (e.g., bad taste in mouth)
    •Dry mouth
    •Eye allergy
    Common Side Effects for
    •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 of Simbrinza vs. Cosopt

    Common Side Effects for
    •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
    Common Side Effects for
    •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

    Learn more about Simbrinza
    Learn more about Cosopt

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