Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Deepika Beereddy, MBBS [2]
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Overview
Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate is an an alpha-adrenergic receptor agonist with a beta-adrenergic receptor inhibitor that is FDA approved for the treatment of glaucoma, ocular hypertension; in patients requiring adjunctive or replacement therapy. Common adverse reactions include somnolence, allergic conjunctivitis, burning sensation in eye, conjunctival hyperemia, acute follicular conjunctivitis, itching of the eye.
Adult Indications and Dosage
FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Adult)
Glaucoma, In patients requiring adjunctive or replacement therapy
- In patients requiring adjunctive or replacement therapy: instill 1 drop in the affected eye(s) twice daily, approximately 12 hr apart
Ocular hypertension, In patients requiring adjunctive or replacement therapy
- instill 1 drop in the affected eye(s) twice daily, approximately 12 hr apart
Off-Label Use and Dosage (Adult)
Guideline-Supported Use
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Guideline-Supported Use of Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate in adult patients.
Non–Guideline-Supported Use
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Non–Guideline-Supported Use of Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate in adult patients.
Pediatric Indications and Dosage
FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Pediatric)
- The safety and efficacy of brimonidine tartrate and timolol maleate combination have not been established in children under 2 yrs old.
Glaucoma, In patients requiring adjunctive or replacement therapy
- instill 1 drop in the affected eye(s) twice daily, approximately 12 hr apart.
Ocular hypertension, In patients requiring adjunctive or replacement therapy
- instill 1 drop in the affected eye(s) twice daily, approximately 12 hr apart
Off-Label Use and Dosage (Pediatric)
Guideline-Supported Use
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Guideline-Supported Use of Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate in pediatric patients.
Non–Guideline-Supported Use
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Non–Guideline-Supported Use of Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate in pediatric patients.
Contraindications
Asthma, COPD
- COMBIGAN® is contraindicated in patients with bronchial asthma; a history of bronchial asthma; severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Sinus Bradycardia, AV Block, Cardiac Failure, Cardiogenic Shock
- COMBIGAN® is contraindicated in patients with sinus bradycardia; second or third degree atrioventricular block; overt cardiac failure; cardiogenic shock.
Neonates and Infants (Under the Age of 2 Years)
- COMBIGAN® is contraindicated in neonates and infants (under the age of 2 years).
Hypersensitivity Reactions
- Local hypersensitivity reactions have occurred following the use of different components of COMBIGAN®. COMBIGAN® is contraindicated in patients who have exhibited a hypersensitivity reaction to any component of this medication in the past.
Warnings
Potentiation of Respiratory Reactions Including Asthma
- COMBIGAN® contains timolol maleate; and although administered topically can be absorbed systemically. Therefore, the same types of adverse reactions found with systemic administration of beta-adrenergic blocking agents may occur with topical administration. For example, severe respiratory reactions including death due to bronchospasm in patients with asthma have been reported following systemic or ophthalmic administration of timolol maleate.
Cardiac Failure
- Sympathetic stimulation may be essential for support of the circulation in individuals with diminished myocardial contractility, and its inhibition by beta-adrenergic receptor blockade may precipitate more severe failure.
- In patients without a history of cardiac failure, continued depression of the myocardium with beta-blocking agents over a period of time can, in some cases, lead to cardiac failure. At the first sign or symptom of cardiac failure, COMBIGAN® should be discontinued.
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (e.g., chronic bronchitis, emphysema) of mild or moderate severity, bronchospastic disease, or a history of bronchospastic disease [other than bronchial asthma or a history of bronchial asthma, in which COMBIGAN® is contraindicated should, in general, not receive beta-blocking agents, including COMBIGAN®.
Potentiation of Vascular Insufficiency
- COMBIGAN® may potentiate syndromes associated with vascular insufficiency. COMBIGAN® should be used with caution in patients with depression, cerebral or coronary insufficiency, Raynaud's phenomenon, orthostatic hypotension, or thromboangiitis obliterans.
Increased Reactivity to Allergens
- While taking beta-blockers, patients with a history of atopy or a history of severe anaphylactic reactions to a variety of allergens may be more reactive to repeated accidental, diagnostic, or therapeutic challenge with such allergens. Such patients may be unresponsive to the usual doses of epinephrine used to treat anaphylactic reactions.
Potentiation of Muscle Weakness
- Beta-adrenergic blockade has been reported to potentiate muscle weakness consistent with certain myasthenic symptoms (e.g., diplopia, ptosis, and generalized weakness). Timolol has been reported rarely to increase muscle weakness in some patients with myasthenia gravis or myasthenic symptoms.
Masking of Hypoglycemic Symptoms in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus
- Beta-adrenergic blocking agents should be administered with caution in patients subject to spontaneous hypoglycemia or to diabetic patients (especially those with labile diabetes) who are receiving insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents. Beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agents may mask the signs and symptoms of acute hypoglycemia.
Masking of Thyrotoxicosis
- Beta-adrenergic blocking agents may mask certain clinical signs (e.g., tachycardia) of hyperthyroidism. Patients suspected of developing thyrotoxicosis should be managed carefully to avoid abrupt withdrawal of beta-adrenergic blocking agents that might precipitate a thyroid storm.
Ocular Hypersensitivity
- Ocular hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solutions 0.2%, with some reported to be associated with an increase in intraocular pressure [see Contraindications (4.4)].
Contamination of Topical Ophthalmic Products After Use
- There have been reports of bacterial keratitis associated with the use of multiple-dose containers of topical ophthalmic products. These containers had been inadvertently contaminated by patients who, in most cases, had a concurrent corneal disease or a disruption of the ocular epithelial surface.
Impairment of Beta-adrenergically Mediated Reflexes During Surgery
- The necessity or desirability of withdrawal of beta-adrenergic blocking agents prior to major surgery is controversial. Beta-adrenergic receptor blockade impairs the ability of the heart to respond to beta-adrenergically mediated reflex stimuli. This may augment the risk of general anesthesia in surgical procedures. Some patients receiving beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agents have experienced protracted severe hypotension during anesthesia. Difficulty in restarting and maintaining the heartbeat has also been reported. For these reasons, in patients undergoing elective surgery, some authorities recommend gradual withdrawal of beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agents.
- If necessary during surgery, the effects of beta-adrenergic blocking agents may be reversed by sufficient doses of adrenergic agonists.
Adverse Reactions
Clinical Trials Experience
- Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
COMBIGAN®
- In clinical trials of 12 months duration with COMBIGAN®, the most frequent reactions associated with its use occurring in approximately 5% to 15% of the patients included: allergic conjunctivitis, conjunctival folliculosis, conjunctival hyperemia, eye pruritus, ocular burning, and stinging. The following adverse reactions were reported in 1% to 5% of patients: asthenia, blepharitis, corneal erosion, depression, epiphora, eye discharge, eye dryness, eye irritation, eye pain, eyelid edema, eyelid erythema, eyelid pruritus, foreign body sensation, headache, hypertension, oral dryness, somnolence, superficial punctate keratitis, and visual disturbance.
- Other adverse reactions that have been reported with the individual components are listed below.
Brimonidine Tartrate (0.1%-0.2%)
- Abnormal taste, allergic reaction, blepharoconjunctivitis, blurred vision, bronchitis, cataract, conjunctival edema, conjunctival hemorrhage, conjunctivitis, cough, dizziness, dyspepsia, dyspnea, fatigue, flu syndrome, follicular conjunctivitis, gastrointestinal disorder, hypercholesterolemia, hypotension, infection (primarily colds and respiratory infections), hordeolum, insomnia, keratitis, lid disorder, nasal dryness, ocular allergic reaction, pharyngitis, photophobia, rash, rhinitis, sinus infection, sinusitis, taste perversion, tearing, visual field defect, vitreous detachment, vitreous disorder, vitreous floaters, and worsened visual acuity.
Timolol (Ocular Administration)
- Body as a whole: chest pain; Cardiovascular: Arrhythmia, bradycardia, cardiac arrest, cardiac failure, cerebral ischemia, cerebral vascular accident, claudication, cold hands and feet, edema, heart block, palpitation, pulmonary edema, Raynaud's phenomenon, syncope, and worsening of angina pectoris; Digestive: Anorexia, diarrhea, nausea; Immunologic: Systemic lupus erythematosus; Nervous System/Psychiatric: Increase in signs and symptoms of myasthenia gravis, insomnia, nightmares, paresthesia, behavioral changes and psychic disturbances including confusion, hallucinations, anxiety, disorientation, nervousness, and memory loss; Skin: Alopecia, psoriasiform rash or exacerbation of psoriasis; Hypersensitivity: Signs and symptoms of systemic allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, angioedema, urticaria, and generalized and localized rash; Respiratory: Bronchospasm (predominantly in patients with pre-existing bronchospastic disease), dyspnea, nasal congestion, respiratory failure; Endocrine: Masked symptoms of hypoglycemia in diabetes patients; Special Senses: diplopia, choroidal detachment following filtration surgery, cystoid macular edema, decreased corneal sensitivity, pseudopemphigoid, ptosis, refractive changes, tinnitus; Urogenital: Decreased libido, impotence, Peyronie's disease, retroperitoneal fibrosis.
Postmarketing Experience
- The following reactions have been identified during post-marketing use of brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solutions, timolol ophthalmic solutions, or both in combination, in clinical practice. Because they are reported voluntarily from a population of unknown size, estimates of frequency cannot be made. The reactions, which have been chosen for inclusion due to either their seriousness, frequency of reporting, possible causal connection to brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solutions, timolol ophthalmic solutions, or a combination of these factors, include: depression, eyelid erythema extending to the cheek or forehead, hypersensitivity, iritis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, miosis, nausea, skin reactions (including erythema, eyelid pruritus, rash, and vasodilation), and tachycardia. In infants, apnea, bradycardia, coma, hypotension, hypothermia, hypotonia, lethargy, pallor, respiratory depression, and somnolence have been reported.
Oral Timolol/Oral Beta-blockers
- The following additional adverse reactions have been reported in clinical experience with ORAL timolol maleate or other ORAL beta-blocking agents and may be considered potential effects of ophthalmic timolol maleate: Allergic: Erythematous rash, fever combined with aching and sore throat, laryngospasm with respiratory distress; Body as a whole: Decreased exercise tolerance, extremity pain, weight loss; Cardiovascular: Vasodilatation, worsening of arterial insufficiency; Digestive: Gastrointestinal pain, hepatomegaly, ischemic colitis, mesenteric arterial thrombosis, vomiting; Hematologic: Agranulocytosis, nonthrombocytopenic purpura, thrombocytopenic purpura; Endocrine: Hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia; Skin: Increased pigmentation, pruritus, skin irritation, sweating; Musculoskeletal: Arthralgia; Nervous System/Psychiatric: An acute reversible syndrome characterized by disorientation for time and place, decreased performance on neuropsychometrics, diminished concentration, emotional lability, local weakness, reversible mental depression progressing to catatonia, slightly clouded sensorium, vertigo; Respiratory: Bronchial obstruction, rales; Urogenital: Urination difficulties.
Postmarketing Experience
There is limited information regarding Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate Postmarketing Experience in the drug label.
Drug Interactions
Antihypertensives/Cardiac Glycosides
- Because COMBIGAN® may reduce blood pressure, caution in using drugs such as antihypertensives and/or cardiac glycosides with COMBIGAN® is advised.
Beta-adrenergic Blocking Agents
- Patients who are receiving a beta-adrenergic blocking agent orally and COMBIGAN® should be observed for potential additive effects of beta-blockade, both systemic and on intraocular pressure. The concomitant use of two topical beta-adrenergic blocking agents is not recommended.
Calcium Antagonists
- Caution should be used in the co-administration of beta-adrenergic blocking agents, such as COMBIGAN®, and oral or intravenous calcium antagonists because of possible atrioventricular conduction disturbances, left ventricular failure, and hypotension. In patients with impaired cardiac function, co-administration should be avoided.
Catecholamine-depleting Drugs
- Close observation of the patient is recommended when a beta blocker is administered to patients receiving catecholamine-depleting drugs such as reserpine, because of possible additive effects and the production of hypotension and/or marked bradycardia, which may result in vertigo, syncope, or postural hypotension.
CNS Depressants
- Although specific drug interaction studies have not been conducted with COMBIGAN®, the possibility of an additive or potentiating effect with CNS depressants (alcohol, barbiturates, opiates, sedatives, or anesthetics) should be considered.
Digitalis and Calcium Antagonists
- The concomitant use of beta-adrenergic blocking agents with digitalis and calcium antagonists may have additive effects in prolonging atrioventricular conduction time.
CYP2D6 Inhibitors
- Potentiated systemic beta-blockade (e.g., decreased heart rate, depression) has been reported during combined treatment with CYP2D6 inhibitors (e.g., quinidine, SSRIs) and timolol.
Tricyclic Antidepressants
- Tricyclic antidepressants have been reported to blunt the hypotensive effect of systemic clonidine. It is not known whether the concurrent use of these agents with COMBIGAN® in humans can lead to resulting interference with the IOP-lowering effect. Caution, however, is advised in patients taking tricyclic antidepressants which can affect the metabolism and uptake of circulating amines.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
- Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors may theoretically interfere with the metabolism of brimonidine and potentially result in an increased systemic side effect such as hypotension. Caution, however, is advised in patients taking MAO inhibitors which can affect the metabolism and uptake of circulating amines.
Use in Specific Populations
Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Category C: Teratogenicity studies have been performed in animals.
- Brimonidine tartrate was not teratogenic when given orally during gestation days 6 through 15 in rats and days 6 through 18 in rabbits. The highest doses of brimonidine tartrate in rats (2.5 mg/kg/day) and rabbits (5 mg/kg/day) achieved AUC exposure values 580 and 37-fold higher, respectively, than similar values estimated in humans treated with COMBIGAN®, 1 drop in both eyes twice daily.
- Teratogenicity studies with timolol in mice, rats, and rabbits at oral doses up to 50 mg/kg/day [4,200 times the maximum recommended human ocular dose of 0.012 mg/kg/day on a mg/kg basis (MRHOD)] demonstrated no evidence of fetal malformations. Although delayed fetal ossification was observed at this dose in rats, there were no adverse effects on postnatal development of offspring. Doses of 1,000 mg/kg/day (83,000 times the MRHOD) were maternotoxic in mice and resulted in an increased number of fetal resorptions. Increased fetal resorptions were also seen in rabbits at doses 8,300 times the MRHOD without apparent maternotoxicity.
- There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women; however, in animal studies, brimonidine crossed the placenta and entered into the fetal circulation to a limited extent. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, COMBIGAN® should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit to the mother justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Pregnancy Category (AUS):
There is no Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC) guidance on usage of Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate in women who are pregnant.
Labor and Delivery
There is no FDA guidance on use of Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate during labor and delivery.
Nursing Mothers
- Timolol has been detected in human milk following oral and ophthalmic drug administration. It is not known whether brimonidine tartrate is excreted in human milk, although in animal studies, brimonidine tartrate has been shown to be excreted in breast milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions from COMBIGAN® in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Pediatric Use
- COMBIGAN® is contraindicated in children under the age of 2 years [see Contraindications (4.3)]. During post-marketing surveillance, apnea, bradycardia, coma, hypotension, hypothermia, hypotonia, lethargy, pallor, respiratory depression, and somnolence have been reported in infants receiving brimonidine. The safety and effectiveness of brimonidine tartrate and timolol maleate have not been studied in children below the age of 2 years.
- The safety and effectiveness of COMBIGAN® have been established in the age groups 2 – 16 years of age. Use of COMBIGAN® in these age groups is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies of COMBIGAN® in adults with additional data from a study of the concomitant use of brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.2% and timolol maleate ophthalmic solution in pediatric glaucoma patients (ages 2 to 7 years). In this study, brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.2% was dosed three times a day as adjunctive therapy to beta-blockers. The most commonly observed adverse reactions were somnolence (50%-83% in patients 2 to 6 years) and decreased alertness. In pediatric patients 7 years of age or older (>20 kg), somnolence appears to occur less frequently (25%). Approximately 16% of patients on brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution discontinued from the study due to somnolence.
Geriatic Use
- No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and other adult patients.
Gender
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate with respect to specific gender populations.
Race
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate with respect to specific racial populations.
Renal Impairment
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate in patients with renal impairment.
Hepatic Impairment
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate in patients with hepatic impairment.
Females of Reproductive Potential and Males
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate in women of reproductive potentials and males.
Immunocompromised Patients
There is no FDA guidance one the use of Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate in patients who are immunocompromised.
Administration and Monitoring
Administration
- The recommended dose is one drop of COMBIGAN® in the affected eye(s) twice daily approximately 12 hours apart. If more than one topical ophthalmic product is to be used, the different products should be instilled at least 5 minutes apart.
DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTH
- Solution containing 2 mg/mL brimonidine tartrate and 5 mg/mL timolol (6.8 mg/mL timolol maleate).
Monitoring
There is limited information regarding Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate Monitoring in the drug label.
IV Compatibility
There is limited information regarding the compatibility of Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate and IV administrations.
Overdosage
There is limited information regarding Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate overdosage. If you suspect drug poisoning or overdose, please contact the National Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) immediately.
Pharmacology
There is limited information regarding Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate Pharmacology in the drug label.
Mechanism of Action
There is limited information regarding Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate Mechanism of Action in the drug label.
Structure
There is limited information regarding Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate Structure in the drug label.
Pharmacodynamics
There is limited information regarding Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate Pharmacodynamics in the drug label.
Pharmacokinetics
There is limited information regarding Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate Pharmacokinetics in the drug label.
Nonclinical Toxicology
There is limited information regarding Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate Nonclinical Toxicology in the drug label.
Clinical Studies
There is limited information regarding Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate Clinical Studies in the drug label.
How Supplied
There is limited information regarding Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate How Supplied in the drug label.
Storage
There is limited information regarding Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate Storage in the drug label.
Images
Drug Images
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Patient Counseling Information
There is limited information regarding Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate Patient Counseling Information in the drug label.
Precautions with Alcohol
Alcohol-Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate interaction has not been established. Talk to your doctor about the effects of taking alcohol with this medication.
Brand Names
Combigan
Look-Alike Drug Names
There is limited information regarding Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate Look-Alike Drug Names in the drug label.
Drug Shortage Status
Price
References
The contents of this FDA label are provided by the National Library of Medicine.