Brimonidine and timolol ophthalmic (eye) drops are used to treat increased pressure in the eye caused by glaucoma or a condition called hypertension of the eye. Both conditions are caused by high pressure in your eye and can lead to pain from pressure in your eye and then can eventually harm your vision. This medicine can help you keep your sight by reducing the pressure in your eye and stopping eye pain.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Your eye doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

To use the eye drops:

Shake the medicine well just before each use.
First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed and apply pressure to the inner corner of the eye with your finger for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to be absorbed by the eye.
Immediately after using the eye drops, wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.
To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed. Serious damage to the eye and possible loss of vision may result from using contaminated eye medicines.
Remove your contact lenses before using this medicine. Wait at least for 15 minutes before putting the contact lenses back in.

If your doctor ordered two different eye medicines to be used together, wait at least 5 minutes before using the second medicine. This will help prevent the second medicine from “washing out” the first one.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Burning, dry, or itching eyes

discharge or excessive tearing

redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid

stinging in the eyes

tiny bumps on lining of the eyelid

Less common

Blurred or loss of vision

disturbed color perception

dizziness

double vision

feeling of having something in the eye

halos around lights

headache

nervousness

night blindness

pounding in the ears

sensitivity of the eyes to light

slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat

tunnel vision

watery eyes

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Chest pain or discomfort

cough

difficulty breathing

lightheadedness, dizziness or fainting

no blood pressure or pulse

noisy breathing

stopping of heart

tightness in the chest

unconsciousness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Dry mouth

feeling sad or empty

irritability

lack of appetite

lack or loss of strength

loss of interest or pleasure

sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

trouble concentrating

trouble sleeping

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

It is very important that your doctor check your the progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

If itching, redness, swelling, or other signs of eye or eyelid irritation occur, stop using this medicine and check with your doctor. These signs may mean that you are allergic to this medicine.

This medicine may cause heart failure in some patients. Check with your doctor right away if you are having chest pain or discomfort, dilated neck veins, extreme fatigue, irregular breathing, an irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, weight gain, or wheezing.

This medicine may cause changes in your blood sugar levels. Also, this medicine may cover up signs of low blood sugar, such as a rapid pulse rate. Check with your doctor if you have these problems or if you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery.

This medicine may cause blurred vision or other vision problems that may last for several minutes after you put them in your eye. If any of these occur, do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not able to see well. If these eye changes are bothersome, check with your doctor.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.