Glaucoma in our time suffers from a large number of people, especially in old age. The disease is characterized by increased intraocular pressure and impaired visual function.
Conservative therapy of glaucoma, unfortunately, cannot radically help with this disease, it is only possible to slightly stop the process of vision loss. However, early diagnosis and regular use of medications in accordance with the instructions and prescription of a doctor can maintain the functional he alth of the eyes for a long time.
Eye drops "Combigan": instructions for use
To treat glaucoma and relieve symptoms, a large number of drugs have been developed, one of which is modern eye drops "Combigan". Instructions are included in each package.
This is a combination anti-glaucoma drug designed to reduce eye pressure. The main active ingredients of the drugwork together and enhance each other's effect.
In this article we will talk about how to use the drug correctly, whether there are contraindications for use or side effects.
Indications
Indications for prescribing this drug are conditions such as:
- Open-ended glaucoma in the early stages (a disease in which intraocular pressure is constantly elevated, resulting in gradual atrophy of the optic nerve and affecting the normal supply of nutrients to eye tissues).
- Intraocular hypertension (in this condition, intraocular pressure is elevated, but there is no damage to the optic nerve).
- Before and after glaucoma surgery.
In addition, the drug is recommended for use when the use of local beta-adrenergic blockers does not give the desired results. According to the instructions, Kombigan eye drops are not recommended to be used on their own, the ophthalmologist should prescribe the remedy after establishing an accurate diagnosis.
Dosage
The drug is recommended for use by adult patients, including the elderly. The medicine is instilled into the eyes one drop 2 times a day. Between doses of the drug should take at least 12 hours. It is better to do this in the morning and in the evening.
To reduce the penetration of the drug into the systemic circulation, after dripping, press on the inner corner of the eye or tightlyclose your eyelids. This remedy in complex therapy is perfectly combined with other ophthalmic drugs that reduce eye pressure.
When using several drugs in the treatment, a time interval of at least five minutes is required between their doses. This is confirmed by the instructions for use and reviews of "Kombigan" in drops.
Composition and release form
The described remedy is an eye drop produced in the form of a clear sterile solution with a greenish-yellow tint. The medicine is packaged in plastic bottles of 3 or 5 ml, which are equipped with a built-in dropper. The drug against glaucoma "Combigan" is placed in a cardboard box with instructions for use.
The main active ingredients of the drug are timolol maleate and brimonidine tartrate. Brimonidine is an adrenergic agonist. It potentiates the outflow of intraocular fluid through the uveoscleral canal, and timolol slows down the process of its formation. Their combined effect has a more tangible hypotensive effect than the use of these substances individually.
Auxiliary components are represented by benzalkonium chloride, sodium hydroxide, sodium dihydrophosphate monohydrate, sodium hydrogen phosphate heptahydrate, water.
The components of the drug in a small amount enter the systemic circulation and are excreted from the body with the help of the kidneys. But even such a small amount can cause side effects.
Medicinalinteraction
The combined use of Kombigan eye drops (the instruction confirms this) with other drugs has not been specifically studied, so there is no detailed data on this. However, there is one group of drugs that the manufacturer warns about interacting with, these are MAO inhibitors. The simultaneous use of these drugs is contraindicated.
These drops should be used with caution with drugs that affect metabolism, as there is a risk of increased exposure to drugs that suppress the activity of the human central nervous system.
When taken simultaneously with anesthetics, the active ingredients of Kombigan can increase blood pressure. It is also not recommended to combine it with epinephrine, as it is possible to provoke the progression of mydriasis. The content of this substance in the blood increases under the influence of ethanol, cimetidine and hydralazine.
In addition, caution should be exercised when taking medications to lower blood pressure at the same time.
Contraindications
According to the instructions, the list of contraindications for Kombigan eye drops is quite wide, as in most cases when potent drugs are used.
This medication is not prescribed for allergies to any components of the drops, asthma, allergic rhinitis, bronchial obstruction or severe lung pathologies. In addition, diseases of the cardiovascular system are also a contraindication, as well as age up to 18 years. This medicin althe product is not recommended for pregnant and lactating women. With caution, "Combigan" is used when:
- renal or liver failure;
- Raynaud's syndrome, depression, hypotension, thromboangiitis;
- diabetes with hypoglycemia;
- acidosis (metabolic);
- pheochromocytoma, which was not treated. In this case, it is necessary to consult a doctor about the need to use Kombigan eye drops, instructions and reviews confirm this.
Side effects
The most common side effects include inflammation of the conjunctiva of the eye and a burning sensation on the mucous membrane. In most cases, symptoms are mild and do not require discontinuation of the drug.
This is indicated by the instructions for the Kombigan eye drops. The price and analogues will be presented below.
Also, side effects can be expressed as:
- corneal erosion, pain in the eye area, blurred vision, itching of the skin, folliculosis, dry mucous membranes, blepharitis;
- hypertrophy, depression;
- pain in the head, drowsiness;
- increased blood pressure;
- feelings of increased heart rate;
- dry mouth, rhinitis;
- taste disorders;
- dermatitis, asthenia;
- arrhythmias, low blood pressure, tachycardia. This is confirmed by the instruction and reviews of the Kombigan eye drops. Many people are interested in the price.
The active substance timolol also has other side effects expressed as:
- ptosis, changes in refraction;
- decrease in libido;
- sleep disorders (many complain that they have nightmares);
- temporary memory loss, ischemia, paresthesia, tinnitus;
- cardiac arrest;
- Raynaud's syndrome, cough, shortness of breath;
- diarrhea and also nausea;
- alopecia, psoriasis;
- Peyronie's disease, peripheral edema, chest pain. What else does the instructions for use for Kombigan eye drops describe?
In case of accidental ingestion of the drug in a large dosage, the following manifestations may occur: apnea, depression of the central nervous system, dizziness, lowering blood pressure, bronchospasm, headaches, cardiac arrest.
In the event of such an overdose, immediate hospitalization is necessary, during which the patient will be washed out of the stomach and given activated charcoal. Topical overdose requires only symptomatic treatment.
Storage
Storage of this medication is carried out at temperatures up to 30 degrees Celsius in a dry, dark and out of the reach of children place. The shelf life of the medicine is 1 year and nine months. It does not allow to store more than 28 days an open package of the drug "Kombigan" (drops) instructions for use. User reviews confirm this.
"Kombigan", eyedrops: instruction, analogues
Combigan has many analogues, among which are the following:
- "Fotil". It contains an identical active ingredient - timolol maleate.
- "Trusopt". The main component of the drug is dorzolamide.
- "Kosopt". This drug combines two previous active ingredients: timolol and dorzolamide.
- "Pilocarpine". This is the most affordable analogue drug.
- "Azarga". Contains brinzolamide and timolol.
- "Timolol". The main component, as the name suggests, is timolol.
- "Betoptik". The composition of this medicinal product is dominated by betaxolol.
- "Travatan". The main active ingredient is travoprost.
-
Xalathan. The active ingredient of the drug is latanoprost.
Before using the drug, you must remove contact lenses. It will be possible to install them back no earlier than in 15 minutes. This is due to the fact that the drug contains a high content of benzalkonium chloride, which can ruin the lenses and cause eye irritation.
At this time, it is better not to drive a car or engage in other activities that require concentration, as the drug can cause drowsiness, visual acuity and weakness.
The drug is able to penetrate into breast milk, so if the doctor prescribed the use of "Combigan",breastfeeding should be avoided while undergoing treatment.
The drug is available only on prescription. When instilled into the eyes, do not touch the cornea with the tip of the vial. Alcoholic beverages should be avoided during treatment.
When canceling the drug, stop taking the drops should be gradual, otherwise there may be disturbances in the work of the heart, and there is also a risk of myocardial infarction.
Reviews about the drug
Patients who used this drug note that it is quite effective against glaucoma, and side effects from it appear in rare cases. True, some patients prefer cheaper analogues because of their low cost. In addition, many patients noted the fact that the medicine bottle does not have a very convenient dropper, which interferes with instillation.
Combigan drops have an effective effect and are successfully used to treat conditions associated with increased intraocular pressure. The use of the medicinal product must always be justified by the appropriate diagnosis and carried out only under medical supervision.
The article was presented to the eye drops "Combigan" instruction.
Price
The drug is quite expensive - 750-780 rubles per pack. Therefore, many replace it with cheaper analogues. The active ingredients in their composition and the principle of action are identical. But the prescription of drugs is carried out only by the attendingdoctor.