Key takeaways
Simbrinza (brinzolamide/brimonidine) and Travatan Z (travoprost) are both prescription eye drops used to lower high pressure in the eye caused by open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. But they have several differences. Simbrinza is a combination of two medications: brinzolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, and brimonidine, an alpha-2 agonist. It works by reducing the amount of fluid in the eye and is typically used 3 times a day. Travatan Z, on the other hand, is a prostaglandin that helps fluid drain from the eye and is usually applied once daily in the evening. Unlike Simbrinza, Travatan Z is available in a lower-cost generic form. Simbrinza can be more convenient since it combines two medications, but it can be expensive. Travatan Z may cause eye redness and can permanently change eye color, but it is considered a first-choice treatment for high eye pressure. Both medications require you to remove contact lenses before use and wait 15 minutes before putting them back in.
