Combigan (brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate) is a brand-name eye drop that’s prescribed to reduce eye pressure from open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. As with other drugs, Combigan can cause side effects, such as eye irritation.
Combigan can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who used Combigan in clinical trials:
- eye irritation, such as stinging, burning, or itching
- eyelid swelling or irritation
- eye redness*
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
Mild side effects can occur with Combigan. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Combigan’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects that have been reported with Combigan or its active drugs include:
- eye irritation, such as stinging, burning, or itching
- eyelid swelling or irritation
- unusual taste
- conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- drowsiness
- fatigue*
- eye redness*
- mild allergic reaction†
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect during treatment with Combigan and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Combigan. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.
Combigan or its active drugs may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Combigan’s prescribing information.
If you develop serious side effects while using Combigan, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:
- Muscle weakness. Symptoms can include:
- weakness
- double vision
- droopy eyelids
- Depression. Symptoms can include:
- difficulty concentrating
- loss of interest in activities that you used to enjoy
- persistent low mood
- Cardiovascular problems, such as low blood pressure, heart palpitations, or heart failure. Symptoms can include:
- chest pain
- dizziness
- headache
- Breathing difficulties, such as shortness of breath.
- Severe allergic reaction.*
* An allergic reaction is possible after using Combigan. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.
Combigan is approved to treat eye pressure associated with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension in children ages 2 years and older.
Most side effects in children are expected to be the same as in adults. However, in clinical trials, the most common side effects reported in children were drowsiness and decreased alertness. Decreased alertness was only reported in children, not in adults.
If you have questions or concerns Combigan and its possible side effects for your child, talk with their doctor.
Combigan may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.
Does Combigan cause long-term side effects?
Yes, it’s possible for Combigan to cause long-term side effects. This includes muscle weakness, cardiovascular problems, and depression. Long-term side effects may continue for some time after you stop treatment with a medication. They may also start after you’ve had treatment with the medication for a while.
If you have concerns about long-term side effects from Combigan, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How long do side effects of Combigan typically last?
Most side effects of Combigan are short term. Side effects such as burning, stinging, or redness in the eye are temporary and typically go away soon after applying the eye drop.
However, more serious side effects, such as depression or cardiovascular problems, may last longer. In rare cases, these side effects may even continue after stopping treatment with Combigan.
If you have concerns about side effects of Combigan, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Learn more about some of the side effects that Combigan may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Combigan.
Fatigue
Combigan may cause fatigue. This may mean that you feel more tired or sleepy than is typical. However, this side effect wasn’t common in the drug’s clinical trials.
What you can do
Due to the risk of fatigue, it’s recommended that you avoid driving or operating other heavy machinery when you first start Combigan.
If you experience fatigue that’s severe or bothersome to you, talk with your doctor. They may recommend a different treatment option for you.
Eye redness
Combigan may cause eye redness. In the drug’s clinical trials, this was one of the most commonly reported side effects. Specifically, eye redness can occur due to blood vessels in the eye becoming larger. This can cause the white of your eye to appear red.
What you can do
In most cases, eye redness is not serious and will typically go away on its own. However, if your eye redness becomes persistent or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to recommend ways to reduce your eye redness. If necessary, they can recommend a different treatment option for you.
Allergic reaction
As with most drugs, Combigan can cause an allergic reaction in some people. In clinical trials, certain allergic reactions were common.
Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:
- skin rash
- itchy skin or eyes
- flushing
- swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
What you can do
For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should continue treatment with Combigan. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you start Combigan. This drug may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:
Heart problems: If you have a heart problem, talk with your doctor before you start Combigan. This medication may affect your heart rate or blood pressure. If you already have a heart problem, using Combigan may make your condition worse. Your doctor can help determine whether Combigan may be safe for you to use.
Lung problems: It’s possible for Combigan to cause difficulty breathing. If you already have a lung problem, such as asthma, using Combigan may make your lung problem worse. Talk with your doctor about your risk of lung problems with Combigan treatment.
Muscle weakness: It’s possible for Combigan to cause muscle weakness, which may lead to symptoms such as droopy eyelids or double vision. If you already have a condition that causes muscle weakness, using Combigan may make your condition worse. In this case, be sure to talk with your doctor to find out whether Combigan is the best treatment option for you.
Diabetes: If you have diabetes and take medication to manage your blood sugar, talk with your doctor before you start treatment with Combigan. Using these eye drops may prevent certain symptoms of low blood sugar, such as tremors or fast heart rate.
As such, it may be difficult to know if you have low blood sugar, which may result in dangerously low blood sugar. Your doctor will determine whether Combigan is safe to use with your condition, including any other medications you take.
Low blood pressure: If you have low blood pressure, tell your doctor before starting Combigan. Combigan can lead to low blood pressure. In some cases, your doctor may recommend more frequent monitoring during treatment with Combigan, or they may recommend a different medication for your eye condition.
Upcoming surgery: During treatment with Combigan, tell your doctor about any upcoming surgeries that you may have. In some cases, Combigan may increase the risk of side effects from anesthesia in surgery. This includes dangerously low blood pressure.
Your doctor may have you stop treatment with Combigan before your surgery. However, it’s important that you do not stop this medication without first talking with your doctor. They can recommend the best and safest treatment plan for you.
Thyroid problems: Combigan may prevent certain symptoms of an overactive thyroid, such as fast heart rate. For this reason, using Combigan if you have this condition may make it harder to detect certain symptoms of it. If you have a thyroid condition, talk with your doctor before starting Combigan. They can determine whether this medication is the best treatment option for you.
In addition, if you wish to stop treatment with Combigan, be sure to talk with your doctor first. If you have a thyroid condition, suddenly stopping Combigan can lead to a thyroid storm. This can be a serious or even life threatening condition. Your doctor can advise the safest way to stop treatment with this drug.
Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Combigan or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Combigan. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding: If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding your child, Combigan may not be safe for you to use. At this time, there haven’t been any clinical trials Combigan during pregnancy to determine whether the drug is safe. However, you and your doctor may decide that the benefits of treatment outweigh the possible risks. In this case, your doctor may still prescribe Combigan.
It may be possible for either of the active drugs in Combigan to pass into breast milk. For this reason, it’s not considered safe to breastfeed during treatment with this drug. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning for either, talk with your doctor. They will advise the safest treatment options for you and your pregnancy.
Alcohol consumption: If you drink alcohol, Combigan may be safe for you to use. However, drinking alcohol while using Combigan may increase your risk of side effects, such as drowsiness or low blood pressure. Talk with your doctor to find out whether it may be safe for you to drink alcohol during treatment with Combigan.
If you’d like to learn more about Combigan, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from the drug.
Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:
- More information about Combigan: For details about other aspects of Combigan, refer to this article.
- Dosage: For information about the dosage of Combigan, view this article.
- A look at your condition: For details about open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension, see our eye health hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.