brinzolamide
Brand names: Azopt
Azopt eye drops contain brinzolamide, which lowers pressure in the eye. It is used to treat glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$35.31/unit
Generic Price
$12.97/unit
Generic Savings
63%
Generic Available
Yes (2 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Azopt is used to treat high pressure inside the eye.
Common side effects
Blurred vision, Bitter, sour, or unusual taste
Key warnings
Azopt is a sulfonamide drug, and serious reactions can occur, though rarely.
How It Works
Azopt contains brinzolamide, which is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. It works by decreasing the production of fluid in the eye. This helps to lower the pressure inside the eye.
How to Take It
Use one drop of Azopt in the affected eye(s) three times a day. Shake the bottle well before each use. If you are using other eye drops, wait at least 10 minutes before using Azopt.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
It is not known if Azopt can harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of Azopt, use it as soon as you remember. Then, continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store Azopt at 39°F to 86°F (4°C to 30°C).
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 5,630 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 8,461 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
8,461
Death-Related Reports
612
Hospitalization Reports
1,856
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | TREATMENT FAILURE | 1,429 |
| 2 | DYSPNOEA | 564 |
| 3 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 499 |
| 4 | DIZZINESS | 479 |
| 5 | EYE PAIN | 468 |
| 6 | DIARRHOEA | 459 |
| 7 | FATIGUE | 454 |
| 8 | FALL | 433 |
| 9 | HEADACHE | 426 |
| 10 | VISION BLURRED | 418 |
| 11 | ASTHENIA | 410 |
| 12 | MALAISE | 386 |
| 13 | BLINDNESS | 361 |
| 14 | NAUSEA | 361 |
| 15 | ARTHRALGIA | 360 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Azopt is a sulfonamide drug, and serious reactions can occur, though rarely. If you have signs of a serious reaction or hypersensitivity, stop using Azopt right away. If you have a low number of cells in the cornea, use Azopt with caution, as corneal edema may occur. Azopt is not recommended if you have severe kidney problems.
Common Questions
Can I use Azopt with contact lenses?
What if the tip of the bottle touches my eye?
Can I use Azopt if I am allergic to sulfa drugs?
What should I do if I experience eye irritation while using Azopt?
Can I drive or operate machinery after using Azopt?
How long does it take for Azopt to start working?
Can I use Azopt with other glaucoma medications?
What if I accidentally swallow Azopt?
How will I know if Azopt is working?
Is it normal to have a strange taste in my mouth after using Azopt?
What are the common side effects of brinzolamide?
What drug class is brinzolamide?
Is there a generic version of brinzolamide?
Is brinzolamide safe during pregnancy?
Related Medications in Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitor (Ophthalmic)
Other drugs grouped near brinzolamide — same-class peers and common alternatives.
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bimatoprost
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brimonidine ophthalmic
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What the FDA Data Shows for brinzolamide
The FDA label for brinzolamide (sold under brand names such as Azopt) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitor (Ophthalmic) class. Azopt is used to treat high pressure inside the eye. Official labeling lists 2 commonly reported side effects, including Blurred vision, Bitter, sour, or unusual taste.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 5,630 voluntary reports. Interaction data is drawn directly from FDA-approved prescribing information. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $12.97 versus $35.31 for the brand — a 63% generic savings.
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: November 24, 2023
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