What Is Combigan? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Combigan is a prescription eye drop used to lower elevated pressure inside the eye — a condition that, if left untreated, can lead to permanent vision loss from glaucoma. Here's everything you need to know about Combigan in straightforward language.

What Is Combigan?

Combigan is the brand name for a combination eye drop containing two active ingredients:

• Brimonidine tartrate 0.2%: An alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that reduces eye fluid production and increases drainage.
• Timolol maleate 0.5%: A non-selective beta-adrenergic blocker that reduces eye fluid production.

Together, these two medications lower intraocular pressure (IOP) through two different mechanisms, making the combination more effective than either ingredient alone in many patients. Combigan was developed by Allergan (now AbbVie) and received FDA approval in 2007. It's available as a clear, greenish-yellow ophthalmic solution in a small dropper bottle.

What Is Combigan Used For?

Combigan is FDA-approved to reduce elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with:

• Open-angle glaucoma: The most common form of glaucoma, where the drainage angle is open but fluid doesn't drain efficiently enough.
• Ocular hypertension: Elevated eye pressure (above 21 mm Hg) without glaucoma damage yet — but at risk for developing it.

Combigan is used as adjunctive or replacement therapy — meaning it's typically added when another glaucoma medication (usually a prostaglandin analog like latanoprost) isn't lowering IOP adequately on its own. By 2020, more than 1 million prescriptions were written for Combigan annually in the United States.

Is Combigan a Controlled Substance?

No. Combigan is not a controlled substance. It is a prescription-only medication but does not require a DEA schedule or any special prescription restrictions. It can be prescribed by any licensed eye care provider, including ophthalmologists and optometrists.

Combigan Dosage: How to Use It Correctly

The standard dosage for Combigan is:

• One drop in the affected eye(s)
• Twice daily, approximately 12 hours apart
• For adults and children 2 years and older

How to use Combigan eye drops correctly:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly before use.
2. Remove contact lenses — Combigan contains a preservative that can damage soft lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using Combigan before reinserting contacts.
3. Tilt your head back and pull down your lower eyelid to form a small pocket.
4. Hold the dropper above your eye — do NOT touch the tip to your eye or any surface.
5. Squeeze one drop into the pocket. Close your eyes gently — do not blink forcefully.
6. Apply light pressure to the inner corner of your eye (near your nose) for 1–2 minutes — this technique (punctal occlusion) reduces systemic absorption.
7. If using other eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes between each medication.

37,797+ patients found their medications in stock

37K+

Find Combigan In Stock Today →

Is There a Generic Version of Combigan?

Yes. The FDA approved a generic version of Combigan — sold as brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution 0.2%/0.5% — in April 2022. The generic is FDA-rated as therapeutically equivalent to brand Combigan, meaning it works the same way at the same concentrations. It's significantly less expensive than the brand-name version.

Who Should NOT Use Combigan?

Combigan is contraindicated (should not be used) in patients with:

• Asthma, history of asthma, or severe COPD
• Sinus bradycardia, second or third degree AV block, overt cardiac failure, or cardiogenic shock
• Children under 2 years of age
• Known hypersensitivity to brimonidine, timolol, or any component of Combigan

For a full rundown of what to watch for when using Combigan, see our guide on Combigan side effects.