Generic Name: dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic (dor ZOLE a mide and TYE moe lol off THAL mik)
Brand Names: Cosopt
What is dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic?
Dorzolamide ophthalmic reduces the amount of fluid in the eye, which decreases pressure inside the eye.
Timolol ophthalmic is a beta-blocker that also reduces pressure inside the eye.
The combination of dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic (for the eyes) is used to treat certain types of glaucoma and other causes of high pressure inside the eye.
Dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic?
Do not allow the dropper to touch any surface, including the eyes or hands. If the dropper becomes contaminated it could cause an infection in your eye, which can lead to vision loss or serious damage to the eye.
Do not use any other eye medication unless your doctor has prescribed it for you. If you use another eye medication, use it at least 10 minutes before or after using dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic. Do not use the medications at the same time.
Dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic can cause blurred vision. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be able to see clearly.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to dorzolamide (Cosopt or Trusopt) or timolol (Blocadren, Betimol, Istalol, Timoptic), or if you have:
a history of asthma;
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); or
a serious heart condition such as "AV block," slow heartbeats, heart failure, or if you have recently had a heart attack.
To make sure you can safely use dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
narrow-angle glaucoma;
breathing problems such as bronchitis or emphysema;
a history of heart disease or congestive heart failure;
diabetes;
a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis;
kidney disease;
liver disease; or
a thyroid disorder.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. It is not known whether dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using this medicine. Do not use this medicine in a child younger than 2 years old.
How should I use dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic?
Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Do not use this medication while you are wearing contact lenses. This medication may contain a preservative that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using the eye drops before putting your contact lenses in.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Wash your hands before using the eye drops.
To apply the eye drops:
Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the dropper above the eye with the tip down. Look up and away from the dropper as you squeeze out a drop, then close your eye.
Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed.
Gently press your finger to the inside corner of the eye (near your nose) for about 1 minute to keep the liquid from draining into your tear duct.
If you use more than one drop in the same eye, wait about 5 minutes before putting in the next drop. Also wait at least 10 minutes before using any other eye drops that your doctor has prescribed.
Do not allow the dropper tip to touch any surface, including the eyes or hands. If the dropper becomes contaminated it could cause an infection in your eye, which can lead to vision loss or serious damage to the eye.
Do not use the eye drops if the liquid has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any eye injury or infection, or if you need to have any type of surgery, especially eye surgery. You may need to stop using dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic for a short time.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include feeling short of breath, confusion, muscle pain or weakness, fast or slow heart rate, wheezing, trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).
What should I avoid while using dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic?
Dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic can cause blurred vision. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be able to see clearly.
Do not use other eye medications during treatment with dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic unless your doctor tells you to.
Dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Although the risk of serious side effects is low when dorzolamide and timolol is used in the eyes, you should be aware of side effects that can occur if the medication is absorbed into your bloodstream.
Stop using dorzolamide ophthalmic and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
swelling or redness of your eyelids;
eye redness, pain, discomfort, or sensitivity to light;
drainage, crusting, or oozing of your eyes or eyelids;
wheezing, gasping, or other breathing problems;
swelling, rapid weight gain;
feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion; or
severe skin reaction: fever, sore throat, cough, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.
Less serious side effects may include:
blurred vision, cloudy vision, double vision, drooping eyelid;
dry or watery eyes;
bitter or unusual taste in your mouth;
burning, stinging, or itching in your eyes;
cough, flu symptoms;
dry eyes;
nausea, upset stomach;
sore throat, stuffy nose;
dizziness, headache; or
stomach or back pain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic?
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
cimetidine (Tagamet);
clonidine (Catapres);
clozapine (Clozaril, FazaClo);
digitalis (digoxin, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis);
methimazole (Tapazole);
pioglitazone (Actos);
reserpine;
ropinirole (Requip);
terbinafine (Lamisil);
ticlopidine (Ticlid);
an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Tofranil), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or tranylcypromine (Parnate);
anti-malaria medication such as chloroquine (Arelan) or pyrimethamine (Daraprim), or quinine (Qualaquin);
a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin, Tenoretic), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Dutoprol, Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), and others;
heart or blood pressure medication such as amlodipine (Norvasc, Caduet, Exforge, Lotrel, Tekamlo, Tribenzor, Twynsta), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Nifedical, Procardia), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others;
a heart rhythm medication such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone) or quinidine (Quin-G);
HIV or AIDS medicine such as delavirdine (Rescriptor) or ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra);
medicine to treat psychiatric disorders, such as aripiprazole (Abilify), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin), haloperidol (Haldol), perphenazine (Trilafon), or thioridazine (Mellaril); or
other glaucoma medications such as acetazolamide (Diamox), brinzolamide (Azopt), or methazolamide (Neptazane).
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More Cosopt resources
- Cosopt Side Effects (in more detail)
- Cosopt Dosage
- Cosopt Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Cosopt Drug Interactions
- Cosopt Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Cosopt - Add your own review/rating
- Cosopt Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Cosopt Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Cosopt Drops MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Cosopt Consumer Overview
Compare Cosopt with other medications
- Glaucoma, Open Angle
- Intraocular Hypertension
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic.
See also: Cosopt side effects (in more detail)
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