azopt
Pharmaranks rates Azopt 3.4/5 for recall safety — an independent score from its FDA recall history and its manufacturer's record. Azopt (Brinzolamide) is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor used to treat Open-Angle Glaucoma.
Brinzolamide · by Sandoz
Based on 1 source · Recall-safety score from FDA recall history — this product's own recalls and its manufacturer's record. Not an efficacy or quality rating. methodology →
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Brinzolamide
- Drug class
- Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitor
- Form
- Drops
- Strength
- Brinzolamide 1%
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Brand-name
- May treat
- open-angle glaucoma
- Manufacturer
- Sandoz
- What the pharmacy pays
- ~$10.28 per ml — not your price
- FDA application
- NDA020816
What is Azopt?
From the FDA label:AZOPT contains a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor formulated for multidose topical ophthalmic use. Brinzolamide is described chemically as: (R)-(+)-4-Ethylamino-2-(3-methoxypropyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-thieno [3,2-e]-1,2-thiazine-6-sulfonamide-1,1- dioxide. Its empirical formula is C 12 H 21 N 3 O 5 S 3 , and its structural formula is: Brinzolamide has a molecular weight of 383.5 g/mol and a melting point of about 131°C. It is a white powder, which is insoluble in water, very soluble in methanol and soluble in ethanol. AZOPT is supplied as a sterile, aqueous suspension of brinzolamide which has been formulated to be readily suspended and slow settling, following shaking. It has a pH of approximately 7.5 and an osmolality of 300 mOsm/kg. Each mL of AZOPT contains: Active ingredient: brinzolamide 10 mg; Inactives: carbomer 974P, edetate disodium, hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide to adjust pH, mannitol, purified water, sodium chloride, and tyloxapol; Preservative: benzalkonium chloride 0.1 mg. Brinzolamide structural formula
How to use
The recommended dose is one drop of AZOPT in the affected eye(s) 3 times daily. Shake well before use. AZOPT may be used concomitantly with other topical ophthalmic drug products to lower IOP. If more than one topical ophthalmic drug is being used, the drugs should be administered at least 10 minutes apart. • Instill one drop in the affected eye(s) 3 times daily. ( 2 ) • If more than one topical ophthalmic drug is being used, the drugs should be administered at least 10 minutes apart. ( 2 )
Side effects
Most common adverse reactions (incidence 5% to 10%) are blurred vision and bitter, sour, or unusual taste. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sandoz Inc. at 1-800-525-8747 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to the rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. In clinical studies of AZOPT, the most frequently reported adverse reactions reported in 5% to 10% of patients were blurred vision and bitter, sour, or unusual taste. Adverse reactions occurring in 1% to 5% of patients were blepharitis, dermatitis, dry eye, foreign body sensation, headache, hyperemia, ocular discharge, ocular discomfort, ocular keratitis, ocular pain, ocular pruritus, and rhinitis. The following adverse reactions were reported at an incidence below 1%: allergic reactions, alopecia, chest pain, conjunctivitis, diarrhea, diplopia, dizziness, dry mouth, dyspnea, dyspepsia, eye fatigue, hypertonia, keratoconjunctivitis, keratopathy, kidney pain, lid margin crusting or sticky sensation, nausea, pharyngitis, tearing, and urticaria. 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval…
Warnings
Important safety information
Sulfonamide hypersensitivity reactions. ( 5.1 ) • Corneal edema may occur in patients with low endothelial cell counts. ( 5.2 ) 5.1 Sulfonamide Hypersensitivity Reactions AZOPT is a sulfonamide and although administered topically, it is absorbed systemically. Therefore, the same types of adverse reactions that are attributable to sulfonamides may occur with topical administration of AZOPT. Fatalities have occurred, although rarely, due to severe reactions to sulfonamides, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), fulminant hepatic necrosis, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, and other blood dyscrasias. Sensitization may recur when a sulfonamide is readministered irrespective of the route of administration. If signs of serious reactions or hypersensitivity occur, discontinue the use of this preparation immediately. 5.2 Corneal Endothelium Carbonic anhydrase activity has been observed in both the cytoplasm and around the plasma membranes of the corneal endothelium. There is an increased potential for developing corneal edema in patients with low endothelial cell counts. Caution should be used when prescribing AZOPT to this group of patients. 5.3 Severe Renal Impairment AZOPT has not been studied in patients with severe renal impairment [creatinine clearance (CrCl) less than 30 mL/min]. Because AZOPT and its metabolite are excreted predominantly by the kidney, AZOPT is not recommended in such patients. 5.4 Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma The management of patients with acute angle-closure glaucoma requires therapeutic interventions in addition to ocular hypotensive agents. AZOPT has not been studied in patients with acute angle-closure glaucoma. 5.5 Risk of Contamination Avoid allowing the tip of the dispensing container to contact the eye or surrounding structures or other surfaces, since the product can become contaminated by common bacteria known to cause ocular infections. Serious damage to the eye and subsequent loss of vision may result from using contaminated solutions. 5.6 Contact Lens Wear The preservative in AZOPT, benzalkonium chloride, may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Contact lenses should be removed during instillation of AZOPT, but may be reinserted 15 minutes after instillation.
Who should not take Azopt
AZOPT is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to any component of this product. Hypersensitivity to any component of this product. ( 4 )
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
Although no human data are available, electrolyte imbalance, development of an acidotic state, and possible nervous system effects may occur following oral administration of an overdose. Serum electrolyte levels (particularly potassium) and blood pH levels should be monitored.
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Interactions
There is a potential additive effect of the known systemic effects of carbonic anhydrase inhibition in patients receiving both oral and topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. ( 7.1 ) • Rare instances of acid-base alterations have occurred with high-dose salicylate therapy. ( 7.2 ) 7.1 Oral Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors There is a potential for an additive effect on the known systemic effects of carbonic anhydrase inhibition in patients receiving an oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and AZOPT. The concomitant administration of AZOPT and oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors is not recommended. 7.2 High-Dose Salicylate Therapy Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors may produce acid-base and electrolyte alterations. These alterations were not reported in the clinical trials with brinzolamide. However, in patients treated with oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, rare instances of acid-base alterations have occurred with high-dose salicylate therapy. Therefore, the potential for such drug interactions should be considered in patients receiving AZOPT.
Storing Azopt, and how long it keeps
Quoted from this product’s own FDA label. Storage belongs to the product and its device, not to the drug in general — a pen and a tablet of the same medicine are kept completely differently.
- “Store AZOPT at 4°C to 30°C (39°F to 86°F).”
Drug class
How this class works, per Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
See how Azopt ranks — best-rated carbonic anhydrase inhibitor for:
Dosage forms
Drops
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
Ask for the generic
Same active ingredient, far cheaper. Is there a generic? →
Request a 90-day supply
Bulk fills usually lower the per-dose price vs monthly refills.
Use copay cards
Manufacturer copay cards & patient-assistance programs — especially for brand drugs.
Compare alternatives
A same-class option may cost less. See alternatives →
Frequently asked questions
- What does Azopt treat?
- Azopt (Brinzolamide) may be used to treat open-angle glaucoma, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- How does Azopt work?
- Azopt is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. These block the enzyme carbonic anhydrase, which normally helps the body recycle bicarbonate. In the kidneys this flushes more bicarbonate, sodium, and water into the urine, and in the eye it cuts production of the fluid that builds up pressure, which is why they treat conditions like glaucoma and altitude sickness.
- How is Azopt rated?
- pharmaranks gives Azopt a composite score of 3.4 out of 5, currently based on 1 weighted source (FDA regulatory recall-safety data weighted highest). See our methodology at /how-we-rate.
- How much does Azopt cost?
- Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $10.28 per ml, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins. Pharmacies pay less for a same-class option, Dorzolamide Hydrochloride — about $0.87 on the same basis.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Azopt?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Azopt. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Azopt?
- Azopt is marketed by Sandoz. You can see Sandoz's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Azopt a brand-name or generic drug?
- Azopt is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Brinzolamide.
- Is Azopt available over the counter?
- No. Azopt is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Azopt come in?
- Azopt is currently marketed as drops, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- What class of drug is Azopt?
- Azopt is classified as carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
- Is Azopt FDA-registered?
- Azopt is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA020816. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Has Azopt been recalled by the FDA?
- Azopt has no FDA recalls recorded under its own application in the openFDA enforcement database. Its recall-safety score reflects its manufacturer's overall recall record. This is general reference, not medical advice — check the FDA recall database for the latest alerts.
- Is Azopt safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict. pharmaranks gives Azopt a recall-safety score of 68/100, based on its FDA recall history (no recalls under its own FDA application) — not an efficacy or side-effect rating. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings before use, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Azopt?
- Azopt's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: Most common adverse reactions (incidence 5% to 10%) are blurred vision and bitter, sour, or unusual taste. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sandoz Inc. at 1-800-525-8747 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
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azopt
68/100