Combigan is used to treat pressure put upon the eye caused by glaucoma and hypertension of the eye. High pressure on the eye can lead to eye pain and vision loss. Combigan helps to treat and prevent these complications by minimizing stress on the eye.

Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes progressive damage to your optic nerve. This damage usually results from an abnormal amount of pressure inside your eye, and over time, it can lead to vision loss or even blindness.

Ocular hypertension (high pressure on the eye) occurs when there is excessive pressure inside the eye. The optic nerve is not affected by ocular hypertension, nor do signs of glaucoma appear during vision testing. Ocular hypertension is most common in people over 40, people managing high blood pressure or diabetes, people who are very nearsighted, and people with a family history of ocular hypertension or glaucoma.

Combigan is a combination medication, meaning it contains brimonidine and timolol. Brimonidine belongs to a classification of medicine known as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. This mechanism decreases the formation of aqueous humor in the eye, an excess of which puts pressure on the inner eye.

Decreased eye pressure can help restore vision and reduce eye pain symptoms caused by ocular hypertension and glaucoma.

Timolol is classified as a beta-blocker, a common form of heart pressure medication. It works by preventing the release of epinephrine into the body. Epinephrine causes blood vessels to tighten and narrow. Narrowed blood vessels make it more difficult to pump blood through the body, leading to increased blood pressure.

By preventing epinephrine’s effect on blood vessels, timolol keeps blood vessels relaxed and open, which reduces blood pressure. This action works with brimonidine to lower blood pressure and decrease the production of liquid in the eye. This can lower overall eye pressure and reduce symptoms like eye pain and vision loss.

Combigan has been shown to cause some side effects. Talk to your health care provider if these mild reactions do not go away within a few days.

Common side effects reported from Combigan use include:

• Irritation or discomfort in the eyes
  
• Swollen or red eyelids
  
• Dry eyes
  
• Watery eyes
  
• Blurred vision
  
• Light sensitivity
  
• Headache
  
• Drowsiness
  
• Heartburn
  
• Flu-like symptoms
  
  

This is not a complete list of adverse reactions caused by Combigan. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any difficulty breathing, itching eyes, skin rash, swelling of the eyes, faintness, dizziness, or nausea while taking this medication.

As with all prescription medication, be sure to inform the prescribing doctor about any medical conditions you have been previously diagnosed with and any medication/ supplements you are currently taking before taking Combigan. Combigan can interact with other forms of medication, causing potentially serious side effects. In addition, let your doctor know if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant before starting treatment with this medication.

Combigan is commonly administered as an ophthalmic solution (eye drops). The specific dosage of medication prescribed will depend on the patient's age and the condition requiring treatment.

Before applying Combigan to the eyes, wash your hands to prevent harmful substances from getting in your eye or infecting your eyelid.

One drop of Combigan should be applied to the affected eye twice daily (about 12 hours apart) as a treatment for glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Do not discontinue or increase your dosage of Combigan without consulting your doctor first. Take the medication exactly as prescribed, and inform your doctor if you begin to experience any side effects while taking the medication.

Combigan is currently only available via prescription, which means a licensed health care provider must authorize the use of this drug.

Providers on Sesame can write a prescription – or refill an existing one – during a virtual or in-person visit. Depending on the medication, you can arrange for same-day pickup at a pharmacy near you. Book an online consultation with a real, licensed provider on Sesame today to determine whether or not Combigan is right for you.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your health care provider. Providers on Sesame cannot prescribe controlled substances.

Good news! If deemed clinically appropriate, providers on Sesame can write a prescription for Combigan to be picked up near you—often within the same day! Simply talk to a clinician and get your online doctor prescription or refill ordered right away for fast and convenient pickup from a pharmacy of your choice.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your healthcare provider.