Patient leaflet - Azopt 10 mg / ml eye drops suspension
1. What AZOPT is and what it is used for
AZOPT contains brinzolamide which belongs to a group of medicines called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. It reduces pressure within the eye.
AZOPT eye drops are used to treat high pressure in the eye. This
pressure can lead to an illness called glaucoma.
If the pressure in the eye is too high, it can damage your sight.
2. What you need to know before you use AZOPT
Do not use AZOPT
- if you have severe kidney problems.
- if you are allergic to brinzolamide or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
if you are allergic to medicines called sulphonamides. Examples
include medicines used to treat diabetes and infections and also
diuretics (water tablets). AZOPT may cause the same allergy.
if you have too much acidity in your blood (a condition called
hyperchloremic acidosis).
If you have further questions, ask your doctor for advice.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using AZOPT:
- if you have kidney or liver problems.
- if you have dry eyes or cornea problems.
- if you are taking other sulphonamide medicines.
if you have a specific form of glaucoma in which the pressure inside the eye rises due to deposits that block fluid draining out
(pseudoexfoliative glaucoma or pigmentary glaucoma) or a specific form of glaucoma in which the pressure inside the eye (sometimes rapidly) rises because the eye bulges forward and blocks fluid
draining out (narrow-angle glaucoma).
- if you have ever developed a severe skin rash or skin peeling, blistering and/or mouth sores after using AZOPT or other related medicines.
Take special care with AZOPT: Serious skin reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis have been reported in association with brinzolamide treatment. Stop using AZOPT and seek medical attention immediately if you notice any of the symptoms related to these serious skin reactions described in section 4.
Children and adolescents
AZOPT is not to be used by infants, children or adolescents under 18 years of age unless advised by your doctor.
Other medicines and AZOPT
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
If you are taking another carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (acetazolamide or dorzolamide, see section 1 What AZOPT is and what it is used for), talk to your doctor.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine.
Women who may become pregnant are advised to use effective
contraception during AZOPT treatment. The use of AZOPT is not
recommended during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Do not use AZOPT unless clearly indicated by your doctor.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machines
Do not drive or use machines until your vision is clear. You may find that your vision is blurred for a time just after using AZOPT.
AZOPT may impair the ability to perform tasks requiring mental alertness and/or physical coordination. If affected, take care when driving or using machines.
AZOPT contains benzalkonium chloride
This medicine contains 3.35 μg benzalkonium chloride per drop
(= 1 dose) which is equivalent to 0.01% or 0.1 mg/ml.
AZOPT contains a preservative (benzalkonium chloride) which may be absorbed by soft contact lenses and may change the colour of the contact lenses. You should remove contact lenses before using this medicine and put them back 15 minutes afterwards.
Benzalkonium chloride may also cause eye irritation, especially if you have dry eyes or disorders of the cornea (the clear layer at the front of the eye). If you feel abnormal eye sensation, stinging or pain in the eye after using this medicine, talk to your doctor.
3. How to use AZOPT
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Only use AZOPT for your eyes. Do not swallow or inject.
The recommended dose is
1 drop in the affected eye or eyes twice a day - morning and night.
Use this much unless your doctor told you to do something different. Only use AZOPT in both eyes if your doctor told you to. Take it for as long as your doctor told you to.
How to use
1 2 3
- Get the AZOPT bottle and a mirror
- Wash your hands
- Shake the bottle and twist off the cap. After the cap is removed, if the tamper evident snap collar is loose, remove before using product
Hold the bottle, pointing down, between your thumb and middle
finger
- Tilt your head back. Pull down your eyelid with a clean finger, until there is a ‘pocket’ between the eyelid and your eye. The drop will go in here (picture 1)
- Bring the bottle tip close to the eye. Use the mirror if it helps
- Do not touch your eye or eyelid, surrounding areas or other surfaces with the dropper. It could infect the drops
- Gently press on the base of the bottle to release one drop of AZOPT at a time
- Do not squeeze the bottle: it is designed so that a gentle press on the bottom is all that it needs (picture 2)
After using AZOPT, press a finger to the corner of your eye, by the nose (picture 3) for at least 1 minute. This helps to stop AZOPT
getting into the rest of the body
- If you take drops in both eyes, repeat the steps for your other eye.
- Put the bottle cap back on firmly immediately after use
- Use up one bottle before opening the next bottle.
If a drop misses your eye, try again.
If you are using other eye drops, leave at least 5 minutes between putting in AZOPT and the other drops. Eye ointments should be administered last.
If you use more AZOPT than you should
If you get too much in your eyes, rinse it all out with warm water. Do not put in any more drops until it’s time for your next regular dose.
If you forget to use AZOPT
Use a single drop as soon as you remember, and then go back to your regular routine. Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop using AZOPT
If you stop using AZOPT without speaking to your doctor, the pressure in your eye will not be controlled which could lead to loss of sight.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
The following side effects have been seen with AZOPT.
Stop using AZOPT and seek medical attention immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- reddish non-elevated, target-like or circular patches on the trunk, often with central blisters, skin peeling, ulcers of mouth, throat, nose, genitals and eyes. These serious skin rashes can be preceded by fever and flu-like symptoms (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis).
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Common side effects
(may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Effects in the eye: blurred vision, eye irritation, eye pain, eye
discharge, itchy eye, dry eye, abnormal eye sensation, redness of the eye.
- General side effects: bad taste.
Uncommon side effects
(may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Effects in the eye: sensitivity to light, inflammation or infection of the conjunctiva, eye swelling, eyelid itching, redness or swelling,
deposits in eye, glare, burning sensation, growth on surface of eye, increased pigmentation of the eye, tired eyes, eyelid crusting, or
increased tear production.
General side effects: decreased or reduced heart function, a
forceful heartbeat that may be rapid or irregular, decreased heart rate, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, cough, decreased red
blood cell count in blood, increased chlorine level in blood, dizziness, difficulty with memory, depression, nervousness, decreased
emotional interest, nightmare, generalized weakness, fatigue, feeling abnormal, pain, movement problems, decreased sex drive, male
sexual difficulty, cold symptoms, chest congestion, sinus infection, throat irritation, throat pain, abnormal or decreased sensation in mouth, inflammation of the lining of the oesophagus, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, frequent bowel movements,
diarrhoea, intestinal gas, digestive disorder, kidney pain, muscle pain, muscle spasms, back pain, nose bleeds, runny nose, stuffy nose, sneezing, rash, abnormal skin sensation, itching, smooth skin
rash or redness covered by elevated bumps, skin tightness,
headache, dry mouth, debris in eye.
Rare side effects
(may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
Effects in the eye: corneal swelling, double or reduced vision,
abnormal vision, flashes of light in the field of vision, decreased eye sensation, swelling around the eye, increased pressure in eye,
damage to the optic nerve.
General side effects: memory impairment, drowsiness, chest pain, upper respiratory tract congestion, sinus congestion, nasal
congestion, dry nose, ringing in ears, hair loss, generalized itching, feeling jittery, irritability, irregular heart rate, body weakness, difficulty sleeping, wheezing, itchy skin rash.
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
- Effects in the eye: eyelid abnormality, visual disturbance, corneal disorder, eye allergy, decreased growth or number of eyelashes, eyelid redness.
General side effects: increased allergic symptoms, decreased
sensation, tremor, loss or decrease in taste, decreased blood
pressure, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, joint pain, asthma, pain in extremity, skin redness, inflammation, or itching,
abnormal liver blood tests, swelling of the extremities, frequent
urination, decreased appetite, feeling unwell, reddish non-elevated, target-like or circular patches on the trunk, often with central blisters, skin peeling, ulcers of mouth, throat, nose, genitals and eyes, which can be preceded by fever and flu-like symptoms. These serious skin rashes can be potentially life-threatening (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis).
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store AZOPT
Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the
bottle and box after “EXP”. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.
This medicine does not require any special storage conditions.
You must throw away a bottle four weeks after you first opened it, to prevent infections. Write down the date you opened the bottle in the space below and in the space on the bottle label and box.
For a pack containing a single bottle, write only one date.
Opened (1):
Opened (2):
Opened (3):
If your medicine shows any signs of deterioration or discolouration consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice. If damaged, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste.
Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What AZOPT contains
- The active substance is brinzolamide. Each millilitre contains 10 mg of brinzolamide.
- The other ingredients are benzalkonium chloride, carbomer 974P, edetate disodium, mannitol (E421), purified water, sodium chloride, tyloxapol. Tiny amounts of hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide are added to keep acidity levels (pH levels) normal.
What AZOPT looks like and contents of the pack
AZOPT is a milky liquid (a suspension) supplied in a pack containing a
5 ml plastic bottle with a screw cap.
Each pack contains 1 x 5 ml bottle.
Manufactured by: S.A. Alcon - Couvreur N.V., Rijksweg 14, B-2870 Puurs, Belgium or Alcon Cusí, S.A., Camil Fabra 58, 08320 El Masnou,
Spain or Novartis Pharma GmbH., Roonstrasse 25, D-90429 Nuremberg, Germany or Novartis Farmacéutica, S.A., Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 764, 08013 Barcelona, Spain. Procured from within the EU. Product Licence Holder: Quadrant Pharmaceuticals Limited, Lynstock House, Lynstock Way, Lostock, Bolton, BL6 4SA. Repackaged by: Maxearn Limited, Unit 29, Oakhill Trading Estate, Devonshire Road, Worsley, Manchester, M28 3PT.
AZOPT is a registered trademark of Novartis AG.
PL 20774/1927 – AZOPT 10 mg/ml eye drops, suspension
This leaflet was last revised on 23rd December 2025
Blind or partially sighted?
Is this leaflet hard to see or read? Contact Quadrant Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Tel: 01204 471 269
608-5997 L-05-1927-01