Cosopt

This product contains two drugs used to treat high pressure inside the eye due to glaucoma (open angle-type) or other eye diseases (e.g., ocular hypertension). Lowering high pressure inside the eye helps to prevent blindness. This medication works by decreasing the amount of fluid within the eye. Timolol belongs to a class of drugs known as beta-blockers, and dorzolamide belongs to a class of drugs known as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using timolol/dorzolamide and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist. This medication is for use in the eye(s), usually one drop in the affected eye(s) 2 times a day, or as directed by your doctor. To apply eye drops, wash your hands first. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface. Some products contain a preservative that may be absorbed by contact lenses. If you are using a product with a preservative and you wear contact lenses, remove the lenses before using the eye drops. Wait at least 15 minutes before putting in your contact lenses. Tilt your head back, look upward and pull down the lower eyelid to make a pouch. Hold the dropper directly over your eye and place one drop in your eye. Look downward and gently close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Place one finger at the corner of your eye (near the nose) and apply gentle pressure. Try not to blink and do not rub your eye. This will prevent the medication from draining out. Repeat these steps for your other eye if so directed. Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap after each use. If you are using another kind of eye medication (e.g., drops or ointments), wait at least 10 minutes before applying other medications. Use eye drops before eye ointments to allow the eye drops to enter the eye. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day. It is important to continue using this medication even if you feel well. Most people with glaucoma or high pressure in the eyes do not feel sick.

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: high doses of aspirin or related salicylates, oral beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol), calcium channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem, verapamil), oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., acetazolamide, methazolamide), clonidine, certain antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs such as fluoxetine), certain medications for diabetes (insulin, sulfonylureas such as glyburide), digoxin, epinephrine, methyldopa, quinidine, reserpine, theophylline, topiramate. Low-dose aspirin, as prescribed by your doctor for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention (usually these dosages are 81-325 milligrams per day), should be continued. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not share this medication with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., eye exams) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If accidentally swallowed, you may experience symptoms such as trouble breathing or slow/irregular heartbeat.

Before using timolol/dorzolamide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to these drugs; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as preservatives like benzalkonium chloride), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: lung disease (e.g., current or past history of asthma, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), certain types of irregular heartbeats (e.g., sinus bradycardia, second or third degree AV block), certain types of heart disease (e.g., severe heart failure). Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, kidney stones, liver disease, diabetes, overactive thyroid disease, muscle weakness disorders, low blood flow to the brain (cerebrovascular insufficiency), severe allergies. If you develop an eye infection or injury, or have eye surgery, check with your doctor about whether you should continue to use your current bottle of timolol/dorzolamide. You may be advised to start using a new bottle. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or cause temporary blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. This product is normally colorless. Discard the solution if it changes color, becomes cloudy, or develops particles. If you are using the single-use containers, discard any unused medication immediately after use. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Temporary blurred vision, temporary burning/stinging/itching/redness of the eye, watery eyes, dry eyes, feeling as if something is in the eye, sensitivity of eyes to light, strange taste in the mouth, headache, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: slow/irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, mental/mood changes, coldness/numbness/pain in the hands or feet. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: vision changes, signs of a kidney stone (e.g., pain in the back/side/abdomen, nausea/vomiting, blood in the urine), yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, unusual tiredness/weakness, easy bruising/bleeding, signs of infection (e.g., fever, chills, persistent sore throat). Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: persistent eye redness or discharge, eye or eyelid swelling, eye pain, trouble breathing, sudden unexplained weight gain, chest pain, weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, confusion, persistent dizziness, fainting. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.