Azopt is a prescription-strength eye drop. The active ingredient in Azopt is brinzolamide, which makes up 1 percent of the eye drop solution.

Function

Azopt inhibits the production of proteins called carbonic anhydrase that help produce fluid inside of your eyes. By reducing the amount of fluid in your eyes, Azopt in turn lowers the pressure within your eyes, known as intraocular pressure.

Uses

Azopt's effects upon intraocular pressure make it usedful for the treatment of both open-angle glaucoma and hypertension in the eye, according to Drugs.com.

Features

The recommended dosing of Azopt is one drop in the affected eye or both eyes three times per day. Usually, Azopt is needed forever to control intraocular pressure.

Risks

The most common side effects of Azopt include blurred vision immediately following a dose of the drops and a bitter or sour taste in the mouth. Rarely, Azopt causes severe allergic reactions, including life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions of the skin, cautions RxList.

Considerations

Because its effects upon fetal development are unknown, doctors restrict use of Azopt during pregnancy to times when there is no safe alternative to treatment. If you have kidney or liver disease, it may be hard for your body to eliminate Azopt, making it unsafe for you to use the drops.

Source:

RxList: Azopt

Drugs.com: Azopt