Simbrinza alternatives: What can I take instead of Simbrinza?

In this article:

• Compare Simbrinza alternatives
• What can I take in place of Simbrinza?
• Compare Simbrinza alternatives
• Top 5 Simbrinza alternatives
• Natural alternatives to Simbrinza 
• How to switch to a Simbrinza alternative

In this article

• Compare Simbrinza alternatives
• What can I take in place of Simbrinza?
• Compare Simbrinza alternatives
• Top 5 Simbrinza alternatives
• Natural alternatives to Simbrinza 
• How to switch to a Simbrinza alternative

Simbrinza (brinzolamide/brimonidine) is a combination medication used to reduce pressure in the eye. It is administered as an eye drop and prescribed for people with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension (high pressure in the eye). Simbrinza contains a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, brinzolamide, and an alpha agonist, brimonidine tartrate. The combination of these active ingredients helps decrease the production of fluid in the eye and increase fluid drainage from the eye. 

Simbrinza is a brand-name drug that is usually used three times daily. Although Simbrinza is an effective medication to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP), it may not be right for everyone. Some people may be allergic to the ingredients in Simbrinza, have severe kidney disease, or take an MAO inhibitor drug or other medication that interacts with Simbrinza. Due to these and other factors, such as its cost, side effects, and dosing, alternatives to Simbrinza may be recommended. 

Continue reading to learn more about Simbrinza alternatives, their potential side effects, uses, and dosing. 

What can I take in place of Simbrinza?

Simbrinza, manufactured by Alcon Laboratories, can be a costly drug or an inappropriate treatment for some individuals. Alternatives to Simbrinza are available to help treat high pressure in the eye due to glaucoma or other ocular conditions. These alternatives include medications that fall under different categories, such as beta blockers, alpha adrenergic receptor agonists, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, prostaglandin analogs, mitotic agents, and Rho kinase inhibitors. 

Examples of Simbrinza alternatives used to reduce pressure in the eye include Combigan (brimonidine/timolol), Cosopt (dorzolamide/timolol), Lumigan (bimatoprost), Azopt (brinzolamide), and Rhopressa (netarsudil). These medications may differ in how they work, their uses, dosages, and limitations.

Other alternatives to Simbrinza

These are some of the other alternatives and drug classes that treat glaucoma. 

Ophthalmic alpha adrenergic receptor agonists:

• Lopidine (apraclonidine)

Ophthalmic beta blockers:

• Betagan (levobunolol hydrochloride)
• Betimol (timolol hemihydrate)
• Istalol, Timoptic (timolol maleate)
• Betoptic-S (betaxolol hydrochloride)
• Ocupress (carteolol hydrochloride)

Ophthalmic carbonic anhydrase inhibitors:

• Trusopt (dorzolamide hydrochloride)

Oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors:

• Acetazolamide capsules/tablets
• Methazolamide tablets

Ophthalmic prostaglandins:

• Bimatoprost
• Durysta (bimatoprost implant)
• Travatan Z (travoprost)
• Travoprost (bak free)
• Vyzulta (latanoprostene bunod)
• Xelpros (latanoprost)
• Zioptan (tafluprost)

Ophthalmic cholinergic agonists/miotic agents:

• Isopto Carpine (pilocarpine hydrochloride) 
• Miostat (carbachol)
• Phospholine iodide (echothiophate iodide)
• Vuity (pilocarpine hydrochloride)

Top 5 Simbrinza alternatives

The following are some of the most common alternatives to Simbrinza .

1. Combigan 

Like Simbrinza, Combigan (brimonidine/timolol) is a brand-name combination medication that contains the alpha agonist brimonidine tartrate. However, Combigan also contains timolol maleate, a beta blocker. In addition, Combigan is only FDA approved to treat glaucoma or ocular hypertension in people who have attempted treatment with a different drug. Combigan is comparable to Simbrinza in effectiveness, and it is applied as one drop twice daily. Because it contains a beta blocker, Combigan may reduce blood pressure, which may be dangerous in people who are taking blood pressure medications. Combigan can also be an expensive option for some people, as it’s not available as a generic medication.

2. Cosopt 

Cosopt (dorzolamide/timolol) is another combination drug that combines dorzolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, with timolol, a beta blocker. It is available in a regular ophthalmic solution and a formulation that is preservative free, which may be preferable for some people who are sensitive to the effects of benzalkonium chloride. Cosopt is administered as one drop twice daily in the affected eye. Cosopt is also available as a generic drug that can be cheaper than its brand-name form. 

3. Lumigan 

Lumigan (bimatoprost) is a single medication that has been available for years to treat open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. It is a prostaglandin analog that works by increasing the outflow of aqueous humor (fluid in the eye) to reduce pressure. Lumigan can be used once daily in the evening. Tell your doctor if you have an eye infection, need eye surgery, or have cornea problems before using Lumigan. A generic equivalent of Lumigan, bimatoprost, is available.

4. Azopt 

Azopt (brinzolamide) is a brand-name drug that contains one of the active ingredients of Simbrinza, brinzolamide. It works as a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that decreases fluid production in the eye. People who have experienced allergic reactions to Simbrinza may not be a good candidate for using brinzolamide alone. Azopt is administered as one drop three times daily, and it is available as a generic medication.

5. Rhopressa

Rhopressa (netarsudil) is used to manage open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension, and it is part of a newer class of drugs called Rho kinase inhibitors. It only has one active ingredient called netarsudil, which does not have a generic equivalent. Hence, it may be more expensive than other drugs. Rhopressa is administered once daily in the evening. 

Natural alternatives to Simbrinza 

Natural alternatives, such as supplements, lifestyle changes, and diet modifications, may help maintain eye health and prevent ocular issues. Proper nutrition for the eyes includes a diet rich in zinc, copper, essential fatty acids, lutein, vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin E. A deficiency in these vitamins or minerals could lead to changes in vision or vision loss. Clinical trials have found that omega-3 supplementation may lower intraocular pressure, a significant risk factor in glaucoma patients. 

According to the American Optometric Association, nutrition and eye health are linked. An eye doctor may reinforce comprehensive eye care that includes a daily recommended diet plan for the eyes. 

Ask your healthcare provider to recommend any over-the-counter supplements that are safe for you. Certain supplements, such as PreserVision, can benefit overall eye health and prevent vision loss. Lifestyle modifications, such as exercising regularly, eating healthy, and reducing caffeine intake, can also help manage risk factors for glaucoma, such as increased IOP. 

How to switch to a Simbrinza alternative

It is not uncommon to have to switch glaucoma medications. In some cases, you may build up a tolerance to Simbrinza, which could lead to reduced effects of the medication. However, before switching to a Simbrinza alternative, there are some key things to know. 

1. Discuss your medical history with a healthcare provider

Before switching from Simbrinza to an alternative, the prescribing doctor must review your current health conditions and potential drug interactions. Certain alternatives, such as beta blockers, may cause complications in people who have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sinus bradycardia, second or third-degree atrioventricular block, overt cardiac failure, or cardiogenic shock. Your doctor will determine the best option tailored to your needs before changing your medications.

2. Do not suddenly stop taking Simbrinza

Before stopping Simbrinza, discuss an eye care plan with your doctor to avoid an increase in intraocular pressure. Once a plan has been established, Simbrinza can be safely discontinued and replaced with the chosen drug alternative to manage your condition.

3. Continue proper eye drop administration

Using eye drops correctly ensures a correct amount of the solution is absorbed into the eye. Incorrect administration of the eye drops can result in spillage, waste, and reduced effectiveness. 

Remember to wash your hands before application. Contact lenses should be removed before applying medication. They can then be reinserted around 15 minutes after administration of the eye drop. 

Shake the bottle before use if the eye drops are in suspension form. Make sure your eyelids or the surrounding area of your eye is clean. Tilt your head back, look up, and then use your thumb and index finger to pull the lower eyelid down to form a pocket. Place the eye drop(s) into the pocket on your lower eyelid, not directly into the eye. Do not let the tip of the eye dropper touch your eye. 

After application, close your eyes gently for one to three minutes. If you are using more than one eye drop medication, wait five to ten minutes between applying each medication. 

4. Keep and maintain eye doctor appointments

To maintain your eye health, you should regularly make appointments with your doctor. Glaucoma or ocular hypertension requires check-up visits to monitor any worsening of the condition. At each visit, your doctor may measure the pressure in the eyes to determine the treatment’s effectiveness (the normal eye pressure range is 12 to 21 mmHg, and anything higher than 21 mmHg can indicate a higher pressure than normal). A vision test may also be performed to determine if there is damage to the optic nerve or changes in vision.

Always consult a healthcare provider before switching medications. Ask your healthcare provider for medical advice if you have concerns about your medication, such as side effects, drug interactions, and precautions.