Azopt is a brand of prescription drug. Adults with either of the following conditions may use it to relieve increased eye pressure:
- Ocular hypertension or high blood pressure in the eye
- Open-angle glaucoma, the most common type of glaucoma (an eye disease caused by increased pressure within the eye)
The active ingredient in Azopt is brinzolamide. It is a member of the group of medications known as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Azopt acts to lower pressure inside your eye by reducing the quantity of fluid the eye naturally generates.
Azopt is sold as a liquid solution in a dropper bottle. Using this, you can put drops of Azopt into your eye using the bottle’s tip. It comes in a single concentration of 10 mg/mL.
Why Is Azopt So Expensive?
The actual price you will pay for either drug depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use. Azopt is a brand-name medication, so you can expect it to be pricier than its generic counterpart, Brinzolamide.
Depending on the pharmacy you go to, the price for a supply of 10 milliliters of Azopt ophthalmic solution 1% is around $389. Azopt generally costs more than both Trusopt and its generic drug, dorzolamide.
Azopt dosage
Azopt is sold in dropper bottles as a liquid solution. You will use the tip on these bottles to deliver the medication as drops into your eye.
It comes at a single concentration of 10 mg/mL. Additionally, there are two sizes of Azopt bottles: 10 mL and 15 mL.
Azopt should be used three times daily, one drop each in the afflicted eye (or eyes), to relieve elevated ocular pressure.
Consult your doctor if you currently use any other eye drops to see if you can continue to do so while also using Azopt. Wait at least 10 minutes between using each eye drop if you choose to use Azopt with other eye drops.
If you missed a dosage of Azopt, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time to have your next dose. If your next dose is near, skip the missed one, take your regular dose, and stick to your schedule.
Azopt alternatives
Several medications can manage high ocular pressure. Some might fit you better than others. Consult your doctor if you’re interested in finding an alternative to Azopt. They can provide information on additional drugs that might be effective for you.
Other medications that can be used to treat high ocular pressure include, include the following:
- bimatoprost (Lumigan)
- brimonidine/timolol (Combigan)
- brinzolamide/brimonidine (Simbrinza)
- dorzolamide (Trusopt)
- dorzolamide/timolol (Cosopt)
- latanoprost (Xalatan)
- travoprost (Travatan Z)
- timolol maleate (Timoptic)