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Compare Simbrinza vs. Pilocarpine

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

Key takeaways

Simbrinza (brinzolamide/brimonidine) and pilocarpine (Salagen) are both prescription medications, but they have several differences. Simbrinza is an eye drop used to lower eye pressure caused by open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension (high eye pressure). It combines two medications, brinzolamide and brimonidine, which work together to reduce fluid in the eye and lower eye pressure. Pilocarpine, on the other hand, is an oral tablet used to treat dry mouth in adults, especially those who have dry mouth due to radiation therapy for head and neck cancer or Sjögren's syndrome. It works by stimulating the salivary glands to produce more saliva. Simbrinza does not have a generic version and is typically used 3 times a day, while pilocarpine is available as a lower-cost generic and is taken 3 to 4 times a day. Simbrinza can cause side effects like blurry vision and eye irritation, whereas pilocarpine can cause sweating, nausea, and runny nose. Additionally, pilocarpine can affect many parts of your body and may worsen certain medical conditions, while Simbrinza's side effects are mostly localized to the eye.

  • Simbrinza (brinzolamide / brimonidine)
    Pilocarpine (Salagen)
  • Simbrinza (brinzolamide / brimonidine)
    Pilocarpine (Salagen)

  • Summary of Simbrinza vs. Pilocarpine

    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 Cholinergic agonist
    Prescription only

    Pilocarpine (Salagen) is a cholinergic agonist that's used to help certain adults with dry mouth. It's a tablet that's taken by mouth 3 to 4 times per day. Side effects can include sweating, nausea, and runny nose. It's important to tell your provider and pharmacist about your medical history and your other medications because pilocarpine (Salagen) can sometimes worsen certain medical conditions and interact with many different medications.

  • Indications of Simbrinza vs. Pilocarpine

    Indications for

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

    •Ocular hypertension
    •Open-angle glaucoma
    Indications for
    •Dry mouth due to radiation therapy for head and neck cancer
    •Dry mouth due to Sjögren's syndrome

  • Pros and Cons of Simbrinza vs. Pilocarpine

    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 Cholinergic agonist
    Pros
    •Works well to help with dry mouth
    •Can start to work quickly (about 20 minutes)
    •Available as a lower-cost, generic medication
    Cons
    •Need to take 3 or 4 times a day
    •Can take several weeks to get the most benefit from the medication
    •Can have a lot of side effects since the medication can reach and affect many parts of your body

  • Common Side Effects of Simbrinza vs. Pilocarpine

    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

    Treatment of dry mouth from radiation:

    •Sweating (up to 68%)
    •Nausea (up to 15%)
    •Chills (up to 15%)
    •Runny nose (up to 14%)
    •Flushing (up to 13%)
    •Frequent urination (up to 12%)
    •Weakness (up to 12%)
    •Dizziness (up to 12%)

    Treatment of dry mouth from Sjögren's syndrome:

    •Sweating (40%)
    •Frequent urination (10%)
    •Flushing (9%)
    •Chills (4%)

  • Warnings of Simbrinza vs. Pilocarpine

    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
    •Possible worsening of medical conditions
    •Vision changes
    •Dose too high

  • Prices with our coupons for Simbrinza vs. Pilocarpine

    Learn more about Simbrinza
    Learn more about Pilocarpine

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