2. What should I know before I use Azarga?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Azarga or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with Azarga and affect how it works.
4. How do I use Azarga?
Follow the instructions provided and use Azarga until your doctor tells you to stop.
Put one drop of Azarga in the conjunctival sac of the affected eye(s) twice daily.
5. What should I know while using Azarga?
|
Things you should do
|
Remind any doctor, dentist, pharmacist or specialist you visit that you are using
Azarga.
Remove soft contact lenses before using Azarga.
Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any signs of an allergic reaction.
|
|
Things you should not do
|
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly.
Do not give Azarga to anyone else, even if they seem to have the same condition as
you.
Do not use Azarga in children.
|
|
Driving or using machines
|
Azarga may impair the ability to perform tasks requiring mental alertness and/or physical
coordination or can cause temporary blurred vision or other visual problems in some
people.
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Azarga
affects you.
|
|
Looking after your medicine
|
Store below 25 °C
Do not freeze.
|
6. Are there any side effects?
Common side effects include temporary blurred vision, eye pain, bitter or unusual
taste in the mouth after using Azarga, dry eye, eye irritation, vision problems, eyelid
swelling.
Eye Drops
Active ingredients:
Brinzolamide and timolol maleate
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using Azarga. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using Azarga.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using Azarga?
Azarga contains the active ingredients
Brinzolamide
and timolol maleate. Brinzolamide belongs to class of drugs called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and
timolol maleate belongs to class of drugs called beta-blockers.
Azarga is used to treat certain types of eye conditions such as high pressure inside
your eye and open angle glaucoma (an eye condition caused by fluid buildup that damages
the optic nerve).
The active ingredients of Azarga eye drops help in reducing the production of fluid
within the eye.
2. What should I know before I use Azarga?
Warnings
Do not use Azarga:
If you are allergic to Brinzolamide and other sulphonamides, timolol maleate, or any
of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing,
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, rash, hives.
In children under 18 years old.
If you suffer from any respiratory problems such as asthma (symptoms such as wheezing,
coughing, shortness of breath) or a history of asthma, or shortness of breath, persistent
cough or any symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, itchy, watery eyes.
If you have any heart problems such as problems with your heart beat, problems with
heart function, any history of heart attack or any other heart diseases.
If you are allergic to any other drugs similar to timolol maleate (other beta blockers).
If you suffer from symptoms such as headache, lack of energy, vomiting and feeling
sick.
If you have any kidney problems.
Check with your doctor if you:
take any medicines for any other condition
have any skin rash, problems with your skin
have any problems with your blood vessels, having symptoms such as skin colour changes,
affected part feels cold or numb, skin ulcers.
have diabetes or problems with low blood sugar levels (symptoms like sweating, confusion,
shakiness)
suffer from problems with your thyroid gland
have any problems with your blood circulation or if you have low blood pressure, symptoms
include dizziness, blurred vision, fatigue
have a history of allergic problems (symptoms such as hives, shortness of breath,
difficulty in breathing)
have any other type of Glaucoma
have any problems with your cornea.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Your doctor will advise you regarding the possible risks and benefits of using Azarga
during pregnancy.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
Your doctor will advise you regarding the possible risks and benefits of using Azarga
during breastfeeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with Azarga and affect how it works.
Tell your doctor if you use any of the following medicines:
Drugs used to treat high blood pressure or heart problems, e.g. beta-blockers (Metoprolol),
calcium channel blockers or digitalis glycosides or Pilocarpine (parasympathomimetics)
Digoxin, a medicine used to treat heart failure
Medicines used to treat an irregular heartbeat e.g. amiodarone and quinidine
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) eg Ibuprofen, Aspirin and salicylates
or carbonic anhydrase inhibitors such as acetazolamide
Antifungal medicines such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, clotrimazole
Ritonavir, a medicine used to treat HIV
Cimetidine, a medicine used to treat stomach or intestine ulcers
Clonidine, a medicine used to treat high blood pressure and migraines
Any other medicines or eye drops used for treatment of glaucoma
Medicine used to treat severe allergic reaction e.g. adrenaline
Medicines used to treat high blood sugar.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect Azarga.
4. How do I use Azarga?
How much to use
Follow the instructions provided and use Azarga until your doctor tells you to stop.
Put one drop of Azarga in the conjunctival sac of the affected eye(s) twice daily.
Do not exceed the dose of one drop in the affected eye(s) twice daily.
When to use Azarga
Use Azarga eye drops at about the same time each day, unless your doctor tells you
otherwise.
How to use Azarga
In a sitting or lying down position might make the process simpler.
Remove contact lenses if you are wearing them before using the eye drops.
Shake the bottle well prior to use.
Follow the steps below to use Azarga:
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Before using a bottle for the first time, break the safety seal around the neck area
and throw the loose plastic ring away.
Remove the cap from the bottle.
After the cap is removed, if tamper evident snap collar is loose, this should be removed
before using the product.
Mix the contents of the bottle by inverting 5 to 10 times.
Hold the bottle upside down in one hand between your thumb and middle finger (refer
diagram 1).
Diagram 1
Tilt your head back, gently pull down the lower eyelid of your eye to form a pouch/pocket.
Place the tip of the bottle close to your eye. Do not touch the tip to your eye as
this may cause injury to your eye.
Do not touch the dropper tip to your eyelid or to surrounding areas or to any surface
to avoid contamination of the dropper tip and solution.
Release one drop into the pouch/pocket formed between your eye and eyelid by gently
tapping or pressing the base of the bottle with your forefinger (refer diagrams 2
and 3).
Diagram 2
Diagram 3
Gently close your eye(s) for 2 minutes. Do not blink or rub your eye(s).
When your eye is closed, place your index finger against the inside corner of your
eye and press against your nose for about two minutes. This will help to prevent the
medicine from draining through the tear duct to the nose and throat, from where it
can be absorbed into other parts of your body and may result in less side effects.
This will also help to prevent the unpleasant taste sensation that some people experience
while using these eye drops.
If necessary, repeat the above steps for the other eye.
You may feel a slight burning sensation in the eye shortly after using Azarga. If
it continues, or is uncomfortable, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
If you want to use any other eye drops wait at least 5 minutes after using Azarga.
It is normal for a small amount of eye drops to spill onto your cheek since your eyelids
can only hold less than one drop at a time. Wipe away any spillage with a tissue.
Replace the cap on the bottle and close it tightly.
Always keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
Wash your hands again with soap and water to remove any residue.
Wait for 15 minutes before putting your contact lenses in.
Discard Azarga eye drops 4 weeks after opening.
If you forget to use Azarga
Azarga should be used regularly at the same time each day. If you miss your dose at
the usual time, treatment should be continued with the next dose as planned.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next
dose when you are meant to.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you use too much Azarga
If you think that you have used too much Azarga, you may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling
13 11 26), or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
If you accidentally put several Azarga Eye Drops in your eyes, immediately wash your
eyes with warm tap water.
5. What should I know while using Azarga?
Things you should do
Tell your doctor immediately if you are going to have any surgery.
Use Azarga for eye use only.
Remove soft contact lenses before putting in Azarga eye drops. Benzalkonium chloride
one of the ingredients in Azarga may cause eye irritation and is known to discolour
soft contact lenses.
Put your lenses back in 15 minutes after using the eye drops.
Call your doctor straight away if you:
develop any signs of allergic reaction.
become pregnant, are planning to become pregnant or if you are breast feeding while
using Azarga.
suffer from any heart or breathing problems.
develop a skin rash, hives or other skin problems while on treatment with Azarga.
Remind any doctor, dentist, pharmacist or specialist you visit that you are using
Azarga.
Things you should not do
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly.
Do not use Azarga in children.
Do not give Azarga to anyone else, even if they seem to have the same condition as
you.
Do not touch the dropper tip to any surface.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Azarga
affects you.
Azarga may impair the ability to perform tasks requiring mental alertness and/or physical
coordination. It may also cause temporary blurred vision or other visual problems
in some people.
If blurred vision occurs when you use Azarga, wait until your vision clears before
driving or using machinery.
Looking after your medicine
Store below 25 °C
Do not freeze.
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do
not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on window sills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
When to discard your medicine
Discard Azarga 4 weeks after opening.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
Serious side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What Azarga contains
|
Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
|
Brinzolamide and timolol maleate.
|
|
Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
|
Mannitol, carbomer 974P, sodium chloride, tyloxapol, disodium edetate, sodium hydroxide
and/or hydrochloric acid (for pH adjustment) purified water and benzalkonium chloride.
|
|
Potential allergens
|
Benzoates, sulfites and hydroxybenzoates.
|
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What Azarga looks like
Azarga eye drops is a white to off-white uniform suspension and is presented in an
8 mL round opaque low density polyethylene bottle dispenser containing 5 mL suspension.
Australian registration number
AUST R 156500.
Who distributes Azarga
This product is supplied in Australia by:
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Limited
ABN 18 004 244 160
54 Waterloo Road
Macquarie Park NSW 2113
Telephone: 1-800-671-203
This product is supplied in New Zealand by:
Novartis New Zealand Limited
PO Box 99102
Newmarket
Auckland 1149
New Zealand
Free Phone: 0800 354 335.
® Registered trademark
This leaflet was prepared in August 2025.
Internal document code
aza271123c_V2 based on PI aza271123i