Comprehensive medication guide to Combigan including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$30 copay for generic brimonidine/timolol on Tier 1–2 plans; brand Combigan may be Tier 2–3 with higher copays; prior authorization may be required; AbbVie AYS program offers commercially insured patients as little as $30/month for brand Combigan.
Estimated Cash Pricing
Brand-name Combigan retails for approximately $278 for a 5 mL bottle; generic brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate is available for as low as $19–$34 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons at participating pharmacies for a 30-day supply.
Medfinder Findability Score
72/100
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Combigan is a brand-name prescription eye drop that combines two active ingredients — brimonidine tartrate (0.2%) and timolol maleate (0.5%) — in a single bottle. It was developed by Allergan (now AbbVie) and received FDA approval in 2007. By 2020, it was the 256th most prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1 million annual prescriptions.
Combigan is used to reduce elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. It's typically prescribed as an adjunctive therapy when a single glaucoma medication isn't controlling eye pressure adequately. A generic version (brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate 0.2%/0.5%) has been FDA-approved and available since April 2022.
The medication is available as a clear, greenish-yellow ophthalmic solution in a 5 mL dropper bottle. It is applied one drop in the affected eye(s) twice daily, approximately 12 hours apart, and is approved for adults and children 2 years of age and older.
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Combigan lowers intraocular pressure through two complementary mechanisms provided by its two active ingredients. Brimonidine tartrate is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that works in two ways: it reduces the production of aqueous humor (the fluid inside the eye) by the ciliary body, and it increases fluid drainage through the uveoscleral outflow pathway. This dual action makes brimonidine a valuable component of glaucoma therapy.
Timolol maleate is a non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor blocker (beta-blocker) that reduces aqueous humor production by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors in the ciliary body. Timolol has been used in glaucoma treatment since the 1970s and is one of the most well-studied ophthalmic medications in medicine.
Together, the combination lowers IOP by 4.9–7.6 mm Hg from baseline in clinical trials — greater than either agent alone. Because timolol can be absorbed systemically through the nasolacrimal duct, patients should apply punctal occlusion (press on the inner corner of the eye for 1–2 minutes after each drop) to minimize systemic absorption.
0.2%/0.5% — ophthalmic solution (eye drops)
One drop in affected eye(s) twice daily approximately 12 hours apart. Available in 5 mL dropper bottle.
As of 2026, Combigan is not listed on any national drug shortage databases (FDA or ASHP). However, patients do experience intermittent stocking difficulties, particularly for the brand-name version. Since the FDA approved generic brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate in April 2022, many pharmacies have shifted their default stock to the generic, which is both more widely available and significantly less expensive.
Brand-name Combigan may require special ordering at some pharmacies, while the generic is widely stocked. Geographic location, insurance routing requirements, and pharmacy inventory practices all influence availability. Patients in rural areas or those on plans that require prior authorization may face more access challenges.
If you're having trouble locating Combigan, medfinder calls pharmacies near you to check which ones have it in stock and texts you the results — no hours on hold required.
Combigan is not a controlled substance, so no DEA schedule or special prescribing authority is required beyond a standard prescribing license. Any licensed prescriber can write a Combigan prescription, but in practice it is almost exclusively managed by eye care specialists who monitor intraocular pressure and optic nerve health over time.
Telehealth is limited for Combigan prescribing because glaucoma requires in-person intraocular pressure monitoring, visual field testing, and optic nerve imaging. Some ophthalmology practices offer telehealth refill visits for stable, well-established patients between annual exams, but a new Combigan prescription or any change in glaucoma status requires an in-person visit.
No. Combigan (brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate) is not a controlled substance. It is not scheduled by the DEA and does not require any special prescribing forms or restrictions beyond a standard prescription. Any licensed prescriber, including ophthalmologists and optometrists, can write a Combigan prescription.
Because Combigan is not a controlled substance, refills can be written on the original prescription (up to the limits set by state law), and early refills are typically allowed when clinically justified. Mail-order pharmacies can dispense 90-day supplies, which is a convenient option for patients managing long-term glaucoma therapy.
The following side effects were reported in 5–15% of patients in clinical trials:
Seek immediate medical attention for:
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Cosopt (dorzolamide/timolol)
Fixed-dose combination of carbonic anhydrase inhibitor + beta-blocker. Twice daily. Generic widely available and inexpensive. Same timolol contraindications apply.
Simbrinza (brinzolamide/brimonidine)
Fixed-dose combination without beta-blocker. Three times daily. Best option for patients with asthma, COPD, or cardiac contraindications to timolol.
Xalatan (latanoprost)
Prostaglandin analog. First-line monotherapy. Once daily (bedtime). Generic widely available and very affordable (~$10–$30/month with coupons). Different mechanism from Combigan.
Alphagan P (brimonidine)
The brimonidine component of Combigan used alone. Alpha-2 agonist. Dosed three times daily as monotherapy. Useful when timolol is contraindicated.
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Oral beta-blockers (atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol)
majorAdditive beta-blocking effects — may cause slow heart rate, low blood pressure, or heart block.
MAO inhibitors (phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline)
majorIncreased hypotension risk from brimonidine; use is generally contraindicated.
Calcium channel blockers (verapamil, diltiazem, nifedipine)
majorAdditive cardiac depression with timolol; risk of AV block and reduced cardiac output.
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
moderateAdditive AV block risk when combined with timolol.
SSRIs (fluoxetine/Prozac, paroxetine/Paxil)
moderateCYP2D6 inhibition may increase systemic timolol levels; monitor for bradycardia.
Inhaled beta-agonists (albuterol, levalbuterol)
majorTimolol may counteract bronchodilator effect; dangerous in asthma/COPD — avoid.
Antihypertensives
moderateAdditive blood pressure lowering from systemic absorption of both brimonidine and timolol.
Combigan (brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate 0.2%/0.5%) is a well-established, effective fixed-dose combination eye drop for patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension requiring more than a single agent to control their intraocular pressure. FDA-approved since 2007, with a generic available since April 2022, it remains a cornerstone of multi-drug glaucoma regimens.
The most important thing patients can do is use Combigan consistently — twice daily, 12 hours apart, every day — and contact their eye doctor immediately if they experience access problems. Skipping doses due to unavailability or cost is one of the leading causes of preventable glaucoma progression. Generic substitution, the AbbVie AYS savings program, and discount cards can dramatically reduce cost barriers.
If you're struggling to find Combigan in stock at your local pharmacy, medfinder can help. Enter your medication and location, and medfinder will contact pharmacies near you to find which ones have Combigan available — results texted directly to you.
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