INTERACTIONS Antihypertensives/cardiac glycosides may lower blood pressure. ( 7.1 ) Concomitant use with systemic beta-blockers may potentiate systemic beta-blockade. ( 7.2 ) Oral or intravenous calcium antagonists may cause atrioventricular conduction disturbances, left ventricular failure, and hypotension. ( 7.3 ) Catecholamine-depleting drugs may have additive effects and produce hypotension and/or marked bradycardia. ( 7.4 ) Use with CNS depressants may result in an additive or potentiating effect. ( 7.5 ) Digitalis and calcium antagonists may have additive effects in prolonging atrioventricular conduction time. ( 7.6 ) CYP2D6 inhibitors may potentiate systemic beta-blockade. ( 7.7 ) Tricyclic antidepressants may potentially blunt the hypotensive effect of systemic clonidine. ( 7.8 ) Monoamine oxidase inhibitors may result in increased hypotension. ( 7.9 )
7.1 Antihypertensives/Cardiac Glycosides Because brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution may reduce blood pressure, caution in using drugs such as antihypertensives and/or cardiac glycosides with brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution is advised.
7.2 Beta-adrenergic Blocking Agents Patients who are receiving a beta-adrenergic blocking agent either orally or intravenously and brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution 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.
7.3 Calcium Antagonists Caution should be used in the co-administration of beta-adrenergic blocking agents, such as brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution, 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.
7.4 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.
7.5 CNS Depressants Although specific drug interaction studies have not been conducted with brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution, the possibility of an additive or potentiating effect with CNS depressants (alcohol, barbiturates, opiates, sedatives, or anesthetics) should be considered.
7.6 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.
7.7 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.
7.8 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 brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution 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.
7.9 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.
7.1 Antihypertensives/Cardiac Glycosides Because brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution may reduce blood pressure, caution in using drugs such as antihypertensives and/or cardiac glycosides with brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution is advised.
7.2 Beta-adrenergic Blocking Agents Patients who are receiving a beta-adrenergic blocking agent either orally or intravenously and brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution 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.
7.3 Calcium Antagonists Caution should be used in the co-administration of beta-adrenergic blocking agents, such as brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution, 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.
7.4 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.
7.5 CNS Depressants Although specific drug interaction studies have not been conducted with brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution, the possibility of an additive or potentiating effect with CNS depressants (alcohol, barbiturates, opiates, sedatives, or anesthetics) should be considered.
7.6 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.
7.7 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.
7.8 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 brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution 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.
7.9 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.
Bronchial asthma, a history of bronchial asthma, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. ( 4.1 , 5.1 , 5.3 ) Sinus bradycardia, atrioventricular block, overt cardiac failure, cardiogenic shock. ( 4.2 , 5.2 ) Neonates and infants (under the age of 2 years). ( 4.3 ) Hypersensitivity to any component of this product. ( 4.4 )
4.1 Reactive Airway Disease Including Asthma, COPD Brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution is contraindicated in patients with reactive airway disease including bronchial asthma; a history of bronchial asthma; severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 , 5.3 )]</span> .
4.2 Sinus Bradycardia, AV Block, Cardiac Failure, Cardiogenic Shock Brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution is contraindicated in patients with sinus bradycardia; second or third degree atrioventricular block; overt cardiac failure [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] ; cardiogenic shock.
4.3 Neonates and Infants (Under the Age of 2 Years) Brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution is contraindicated in neonates and infants (under the age of 2 years).
4.4 Hypersensitivity Reactions Local hypersensitivity reactions have occurred following the use of different components of brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution. Brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution is contraindicated in patients who have exhibited a hypersensitivity reaction to any component of this medication in the past.
4.1 Reactive Airway Disease Including Asthma, COPD Brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution is contraindicated in patients with reactive airway disease including bronchial asthma; a history of bronchial asthma; severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 , 5.3 )]</span> .
4.2 Sinus Bradycardia, AV Block, Cardiac Failure, Cardiogenic Shock Brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution is contraindicated in patients with sinus bradycardia; second or third degree atrioventricular block; overt cardiac failure [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] ; cardiogenic shock.
4.3 Neonates and Infants (Under the Age of 2 Years) Brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution is contraindicated in neonates and infants (under the age of 2 years).
4.4 Hypersensitivity Reactions Local hypersensitivity reactions have occurred following the use of different components of brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution. Brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution is contraindicated in patients who have exhibited a hypersensitivity reaction to any component of this medication in the past.
AND PRECAUTIONS Potential for Severe Respiratory or Cardiac Reactions ( 5.1 )
Cardiac
Failure ( 5.2 )
Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease ( 5.3 ) Potentiation of Vascular Insufficiency ( 5.4 )
Increased
Reactivity to Allergens ( 5.5 ) Potentiation of Muscle Weakness ( 5.6 ) Masking of Hypoglycemic Symptoms in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus ( 5.7 ) Masking of Thyrotoxicosis ( 5.8 )
Ocular
Hypersensitivity ( 5.9 )
5.1 Potential for Severe Respiratory or Cardiac Reactions Brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution 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 and cardiac reactions including death due to bronchospasm in patients with asthma, and rarely death in association with cardiac failure have been reported following systemic or ophthalmic administration of timolol maleate [ see Contraindications (4.1) ] . Additionally, ophthalmic beta-blockers may impair compensatory tachycardia and increase risk of hypotension.
5.2 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, brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution should be discontinued [ see Contraindications (4.2) ] .
5.3 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 brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution is contraindicated <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Contraindications (4.1)]</span> ) should, in general, not receive beta-blocking agents, including brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution.
5.4 Potentiation of Vascular Insufficiency Brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution may potentiate syndromes associated with vascular insufficiency. Brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution should be used with caution in patients with depression, cerebral or coronary insufficiency, Raynaud’s phenomenon, orthostatic hypotension, or thromboangiitis obliterans.
5.5 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.
5.6 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.
5.7 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.
5.8 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.
5.9 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) ].
5.10 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 [ see Patient Counseling Information (17) ] .
5.11 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.
5.1 Potential for Severe Respiratory or Cardiac Reactions Brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution 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 and cardiac reactions including death due to bronchospasm in patients with asthma, and rarely death in association with cardiac failure have been reported following systemic or ophthalmic administration of timolol maleate [ see Contraindications (4.1) ] . Additionally, ophthalmic beta-blockers may impair compensatory tachycardia and increase risk of hypotension.
5.2 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, brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution should be discontinued [ see Contraindications (4.2) ] .
5.3 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 brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution is contraindicated <span class="opacity-50 text-xs">[see Contraindications (4.1)]</span> ) should, in general, not receive beta-blocking agents, including brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution.
5.4 Potentiation of Vascular Insufficiency Brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution may potentiate syndromes associated with vascular insufficiency. Brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution should be used with caution in patients with depression, cerebral or coronary insufficiency, Raynaud’s phenomenon, orthostatic hypotension, or thromboangiitis obliterans.
5.5 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.
5.6 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.
5.7 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.
5.8 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.
5.9 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) ].
5.10 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 [ see Patient Counseling Information (17) ] .
5.11 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.