Azopt (brinzolamide) is a prescription drug used to treat increased eye pressure from certain eye conditions. The drug comes as a liquid suspension eye drop that’s typically applied three times per day.

Azopt is used in adults to treat increased intraocular (inside your eye) pressure from:

The active ingredient in Azopt is brinzolamide.* (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Azopt belongs to a group of drugs called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

This article describes the dosage of Azopt, as well as its strength and how to use it. To learn more about Azopt, see this in-depth article.

* Azopt is the brand-name version of the generic product brinzolamide.

This section describes the usual dosage of Azopt. Keep reading to learn more.

What is Azopt’s form?

Azopt comes as liquid suspension (a type of liquid mixture) in a dropper bottle for use as an eye drop.

What strength does Azopt come in?

Azopt comes in one strength: a 1% suspension containing 10 milligrams (mg) of brinzolamide per milliliter (mL). Azopt drops are available in two sizes: 10 mL and 15 mL.

What’s the usual dosage of Azopt?

Your eye doctor will start you on the recommended dosage of Azopt to treat your condition.

The information below describes the most commonly used or recommended dosage. But be sure to apply the dosage your eye doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for increased eye pressure

The typical Azopt dosage for adults with increased eye pressure from open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension is one drop in the affected eye(s) three times per day.

If you’re using other eye medications, wait at least 10 minutes before or after applying your dose of Azopt.

If you have questions about your dosage, talk with your eye doctor.

Is Azopt used long term?

Yes, Azopt is usually a long-term treatment. If you and your eye doctor determine it’s safe and effective for treating your condition, you’ll likely use it long term.

Your eye doctor will regularly monitor your eye pressure to see how well Azopt is working.

Azopt comes as a liquid suspension given as an eye drop. Shake the bottle well before applying your dose of Azopt. If you wear contact lenses, remove them beforehand. You can place your contact lenses back in your eyes 15 minutes after your dose of Azopt.

You’ll place one drop into the affected eye(s) three times per day as directed by your eye doctor. If you use other eye medications, be sure to separate those doses by at least 10 minutes from your Azopt doses.

Do not touch the bottle tip to any surfaces or to your eye when applying your dose of Azopt. This is to prevent bacteria from getting on the tip which can cause serious eye infections.

To learn more about how to administer your Azopt dosage, talk with your pharmacist or eye doctor.

For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Azopt, talk with your eye doctor.

Accessible drug containers and labels

Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:

  • have large print
  • use braille
  • feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

If you miss a dose of Azopt, apply it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and apply your next dose at its usual time.

If you’re not sure whether you should administer a missed dose, talk with your eye doctor. Do not apply two doses of Azopt at once to make up for a missed dose. This can increase your risk of side effects.

If you need help remembering to apply your dose of Azopt on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Do not use more Azopt than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

What to do in case you use too much Azopt

Call your eye doctor right away if you think you’ve applied too much Azopt. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Azopt’s dosage.

Is Azopt’s dosage similar to that of Combigan?

Not really. Although the forms and uses of both drugs are similar, there are some differences. Both are prescribed to treat increased eye pressure caused by ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma. But Azopt is only approved for use in adults, while Combigan can be used in adults and children above the age of 2 years.

Their active ingredients, dosages, and how they work differ.

Azopt contains one active ingredient, brinzolamide. It belongs to a group of drugs called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and is applied three times per day.

Combigan has two active ingredients. It contains brimonidine, which belongs to the alpha-2 adrenergic agonists group of drugs. It also contains timolol, which is a beta-blocker. Combigan is applied twice per day.

Your eye doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you. Talk with them to learn more about how these drugs compare.

How long does it take for Azopt to start working?

Azopt starts to work after your first dose. But how long it takes for you to notice a change depends on the severity of your condition and how you respond to treatment. Your eye doctor will monitor your eye pressure during your Azopt treatment to be sure the drug is working effectively.

If you have other questions about what to expect from your Azopt treatment, talk with your eye doctor.

The sections above describe the usual dosage provided by Azopt’s manufacturer. If your eye doctor recommends this drug, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you should not change your dosage of Azopt without your eye doctor’s recommendation. Only administer Azopt exactly as prescribed. Talk with your eye doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage. Examples of questions you may want to ask include:

  • Will I need a lower dosage of Azopt if I’m using other eye medications?
  • Would you lower my dosage if I have side effects from Azopt?
  • How does the dosage of Azopt compare with that of Trusopt (dorzolamide)?

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.