Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Zolymbus
What ZOLYMBUS is used for:
ZOLYMBUS is used to lower high pressure inside the eye in adult patients with conditions called open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
How ZOLYMBUS works:
ZOLYMBUS belongs to a group of medicines called prostamide analogues. ZOLYMBUS reduces pressure in the eye by increasing the flow of liquid that is drained out of the eye.
The ingredients in ZOLYMBUS are:
Medicinal ingredient(s): bimatoprost
Non-medicinal ingredients: carbomer, polyethylene glycol, sodium acetate trihydrate, sodium hydroxide, sorbitol and water.
ZOLYMBUS comes in the following dosage form(s):
Ophthalmic gel containing 0.01% w/w bimatoprost.
Do not use ZOLYMBUS if you:
- are allergic to bimatoprost.
- are allergic to any of the other ingredients in ZOLYMBUS.
- are allergic to any part of the ZOLYMBUS container.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you use ZOLYMBUS. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have or have had eye problems, including if the natural lens of your eye was removed through surgery or if you have a tear in the back of your eye.
- are at risk of getting a condition called macular edema where fluid builds up in the back of your eye.
- have had serious eye infections in the past such as a herpes virus infection of the eye.
- have uveitis, a condition where the inside of your eye is inflamed.
- have any breathing problems.
- have liver problems.
- have kidney problems.
- take any other medicine known as prostaglandin analogues used to treat eye conditions or stomach issues.
Other warnings you should know about:
Changes in eye, eyelid and eyelash colour
ZOLYMBUS can darken your iris, which is the coloured part of your eye, your eyelid or your eyelashes. The colour change to your iris may not go away when you stop using ZOLYMBUS. The long-term effects of this on your eye are not known. If ZOLYMBUS is used in one eye only, the color of that eye may always be a different colour from the colour of your other eye.
You may notice that the color of your eye gradually becomes darker. This change typically begins near the center of the eye and slowly spreads outward. Sometimes, the entire coloured part of the eye may become darker.
ZOLYMBUS may also cause darkening of the colour of your eyelid. These skin changes usually go away when you stop using ZOLYMBUS. Your healthcare professional will check your eyes regularly for this and may stop treatment if your eyes darken too much.
Hair growth
ZOLYMBUS may cause increases in the length, thickness, or number of your eyelashes. These eyelash changes usually go away when you stop using ZOLYMBUS.
ZOLYMBUS may also cause hair growth on your eyelids. This hair growth usually goes away when you stop using ZOLYMBUS.
Hair growth can also occur in areas of your skin that ZOLYMBUS frequently touches. Remove any excess with a tissue to reduce this from happening.
Changes in vision
Using ZOLYMBUS may temporarily blur your vision. Do not drive or use machines until your vision has cleared.
Loss of fat around the eye
ZOLYMBUS may cause a loss of fat around the eye. This may cause your eyelid crease to deepen, your eye to appear sunken, your upper eyelid to droop, the skin around your eye to tighten and the lower white part of your eye to become more visible. The changes may affect your field of vision.
Pregnancy
It is not known if ZOLYMBUS will harm your unborn baby. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using ZOLYMBUS talk to your doctor right away.
Breast-feeding
It is not known if ZOLYMBUS passes into your breast milk. If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you use ZOLYMBUS.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you use, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
How to use ZOLYMBUS:
- Use ZOLYMBUS exactly as your healthcare professional has told you to.
- Talk to your healthcare professional if you are not sure how to use ZOLYMBUS.
- ZOLYMBUS is for use in the eye only.
- ZOLYMBUS may not work as well if you use it more than one time each evening.
- If you use another medicine in your eye, apply that medicine first. Wait five minutes and then apply ZOLYMBUS. ZOLYMBUS must always be applied last.
- If you wear contact lenses, take them out before you apply ZOLYMBUS. Wait 15 minutes before putting them back in.
- Use ZOLYMBUS immediately after opening the container. Each container is sterile and is to be used once then thrown away. You must throw out whatever is left in the ZOLYMBUS container.
- Follow the “Instructions for Use”, below.
Instructions for Use:
Important:
- ZOLYMBUS single-dose containers are packaged in a pouch.
- Do not use the ZOLYMBUS single-dose containers if the pouch is opened.
- Write down the date you open the pouch in the space provided on the pouch.
- Do not open the ZOLYMBUS single-dose container until you are ready to use the eye drops.
Please follow these instructions to apply ZOLYMBUS:
Step 1.
Wash your hands and sit or stand comfortably.
Step 2.
Open the pouch containing a strip of 10 single-dose containers.
Write down the date of first opening on the pouch.
Step 3.
Take the strip of single-dose containers from the pouch
Break off one single-dose container from the strip
Place the unopened single-dose containers back in the pouch and fold the edge to close the pouch.
Step 4.
Hold the single-dose container upright.
Make sure that your ZOLYMBUS medicine is in the bottom part of the single-dose container.
Twist open the top of the single-dose container as shown. Do not touch the tip after opening the container.
Step 5.
Tilt your head backwards. If you are unable to tilt your head, lie down.
Use your finger to gently pull down the lower eyelid of your affected eye.
Step 6.
Place the tip of the single-dose container close to, but not touching, your eye.
Step 7.
Squeeze the single-dose container gently so that only one drop goes into your eye, then release the lower eyelid.
If the drop misses your eye completely, try again.
- If your doctor has told you to use ZOLYMBUS drops in both eyes, repeat Steps 5 to Step 7 for your other eye.
- Each single-dose container contains enough drops for both eyes.
- Throw away the single-dose container after use. Do not keep it to use it again even if there is product left over in the container. You must open a new single-dose container each time you apply ZOLYMBUS. This is so that you don’t infect your eye.
- Fold the edge to close the pouch and place it back in the carton. The unopened single-dose containers must be used within 30 days after opening the pouch. Protect from light.
Usual dose:
Apply one drop of ZOLYMBUS into each affected eye once in the evening.
Overdose:
| If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have used too much ZOLYMBUS, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, regional poison control centre or Health Canada’s toll-free number, 1-844 POISON-X (1-844-764-7669) immediately, even if there are no signs or symptoms. |
|---|
Missed dose:
If you miss a dose of ZOLYMBUS, skip the missed dose and apply the next dose at the regular time.
Possible side effects from using ZOLYMBUS:
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking ZOLYMBUS. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
- redness in or around the eye
- eye irritation
- eye itching
- dry eye
- a sensation that there is something in your eye
- increase of tears in the eye
- eye pain
- blurry vision
- red, swollen and irritated eyelids
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Frequency/Side Effect/Symptom | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking this drug and get immediate medical help | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| Common | |||
| Increased pigmentation of the iris: darkening of the coloured part of your eye. | √ | ||
| Uncommon | |||
| √ | |||
| Loss of fat around the eye: eyelid crease deepens, eye appears sunken, upper eyelid droops, skin around the eye tightens and the lower white part of the eye becomes more visible. | √ | ||
| Unknown | |||
| Difficulty breathing. | √ | ||
| Eye infection: eye redness, eye pain or swelling, eye discharge, sensitivity to light, changes in vision. | √ | ||
| Macular edema (fluid and swelling in the back of your eye): blurry vision, straight lines appear wavy, colors may appear washed out or faded, changes in vision, dark spots in vision. | √ | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Reporting side effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your healthcare professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
Storage:
Before opening the pouches:
- Store the unopened pouches between 15°C to 30°C.
- Do not open a pouch containing ZOLYMBUS until you are ready to use the eye drops.
After opening the pouch:
- Keep the ZOLYMBUS single-dose containers in their original pouch and fold the edge to close the pouch. Protect from light.
- Store the opened pouch, with remaining single-dose containers inside, between 15°C to 30°C, for up to 30 days.
- Write down the date of first opening the pouch in the space provided on the pouch.
- Throw away all unused ZOLYMBUS single-dose containers in the opened pouch after 30 days.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about ZOLYMBUS:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes the Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada Drug Product Database website (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); the manufacturer’s website https://www.theapharma.ca ; or by calling 1-888-805-8432.
Imported and distributed by:
Thea Pharma Inc.
10 Four Seasons Place, Suite 802
Toronto ON M9B 6H7
Date of Authorization: 2026-09-25
Zolymbus® is a trademark of Laboratoires Théa.