Brinzolamide

The Basics

What is Brinzolamide?

Used to treat glaucoma by decreasing pressure in the eye.

Brand names for Brinzolamide

Azopt

How Brinzolamide is classified

Antiglaucoma Agents, Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors

Brinzolamide During Pregnancy

Brinzolamide pregnancy category

Category CNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Brinzolamide while pregnant

Developmental toxicity studies with brinzolamide in rabbits at oral doses of 1, 3, and 6 mg/kg/day (20, 62, and 125 times the recommended human ophthalmic dose) produced maternal toxicity at 6 mg/kg/day and a significant increase in the number of fetal variations, such as accessory skull bones, which was only slightly higher than the historic value at 1 and 6 mg/kg. In rats, statistically decreased body weights of fetuses from dams receiving oral doses of 18 mg/kg/day (375 times the recommended human ophthalmic dose) during gestation were proportional to the reduced maternal weight gain, with no statistically significant effects on organ or tissue development. Increases in unossified sternebrae, reduced ossification of the skull, and unossified hyoid that occurred at 6 and 18 mg/kg were not statistically significant. No treatment-related malformations were seen. Following oral administration of 14C-brinzolamide to pregnant rats, radioactivity was found to cross the placenta and was present in the fetal tissues and blood. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. AZOPT (brinzolamide ophthalmic suspension) 1% should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Taking Brinzolamide While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Brinzolamide?

Because no information is available on the use of brinzolamide during breastfeeding, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Because no information is available on the use of brinzolamide during breastfeeding, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Possible effects of Brinzolamide on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Brinzolamide

Acetazolamide, Dorzolamide.