brimonidine/timolol
Brand names: Combigan
Combigan eye drops contain two medicines that lower pressure in the eye. It is used to treat glaucoma or high pressure in the eye.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$39.18/unit
Generic Available
No
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Combigan is used to lower high pressure in your eyes.
Common side effects
Allergic conjunctivitis (eye allergy), Conjunctival folliculosis (bumps on the eye), Conjunctival hyperemia (redness of the eye)
Key warnings
Combigan contains timolol, which can cause serious heart and breathing problems.
How It Works
Combigan has two drugs that work together to lower eye pressure. Brimonidine lowers fluid production in the eye and increases fluid drainage. Timolol reduces fluid production.
How to Take It
Use one drop of Combigan in the affected eye(s) two times a day. Space the doses about 12 hours apart. If you use other eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes before using them. This helps each medicine work properly.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Animal studies suggest possible risk to the fetus. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Timolol can pass into breast milk, so talk to your doctor about breastfeeding while using Combigan.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store Combigan at room temperature (59°-77°F) and protect it from light.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 5,183 FDA adverse event reports.
Serious Warnings
Combigan contains timolol, which can cause serious heart and breathing problems. These problems can be more likely if you have asthma, COPD, or heart failure. Tell your doctor if you have any of these conditions.
Known Drug Interactions
( 7.7 ) Tricyclic antidepressants may potentially blunt the hypotensive effect of systemic clonidine. 7.8 Tricyclic Antidepressants Tricyclic antidepressants have been reported to blunt the hypotensive effect of systemic clonidine.
Mechanism: Both drugs work in a similar way to lower blood pressure. Taking them together can cause an additive effect, which might make your blood pressure drop too low.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your blood pressure and heart rate closely if you are using both of these medications.
7.7 CYP2D6 Inhibitors Potentiated systemic beta-blockade (e.g., decreased heart rate, depression) has been reported during combined treatment with CYP2D6 inhibitors (e.g., quinidine, SSRIs) and timolol.
Mechanism: Certain medicines can block the body from breaking down timolol. This can lead to higher levels of the drug in your system, which may cause a slow heart rate or feelings of depression.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor you for a slow pulse or mood changes if you take these medications together.
Common Questions
Can I use Combigan if I have asthma?
Can Combigan affect my heart?
How often should I use Combigan?
What should I do if I wear contact lenses?
Can I use Combigan if I am pregnant?
Can I use Combigan if I am breastfeeding?
What should I do if I experience side effects?
Can I use other eye drops with Combigan?
How should I store Combigan?
What if I accidentally swallow Combigan?
What are the common side effects of brimonidine/timolol?
Does brimonidine/timolol interact with other medications?
What drug class is brimonidine/timolol?
Is brimonidine/timolol safe during pregnancy?
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Medication Guides
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What the FDA Data Shows for brimonidine/timolol
The FDA label for brimonidine/timolol (sold under brand names such as Combigan) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Alpha-2 Agonist / Beta-Blocker Combination class. Combigan is used to lower high pressure in your eyes. Official labeling lists 6 commonly reported side effects, including Allergic conjunctivitis (eye allergy), Conjunctival folliculosis (bumps on the eye), Conjunctival hyperemia (redness of the eye).
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 5,183 voluntary reports. The database also lists 2 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: July 26, 2024
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages