cosopt side effects

[TORIE328]

Hi
Has anyone experienced any side effects to Cosopt?

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Burning (almost always), temporary blurred vision, sometimes it can slow the heart rate, increase wheezing, affect depression.  It has a beta blocker so it should generally not be used if possible in someone with a slow heart rate, heart block, COPD, congestive heart failure.  Excellent  drop - great IOP lowering effect but side effects need to be known.

MJK MD

[TORIE328]

Thank you for your answer. I have been on Cosopt for 4 years and although I am of course very aware of the burning/stinging & blurred vision and the depression, I have also experienced 3 or 4 occaisions threw the 4 years of passing out and about 5 months after being on them developed Raynauds symptoms since being on it. I am a healthy person with no respiratory illness (asthma, COPD etc) and have normal blood pressure though I have beem told during those episodes that my blood pressure was very low. Dr. has tried me without the drops (pressure soared) and on other drops that didnt work or that I had side effects with so Cosopot it is. I was just curious to know if anyone else on Cosopt has experienced these side effects or if it is just me.

[TORIE328]

Is there a safe moisturizer for glaucoma eyes with dry eyelids? I dont wear make up and am very nervous about using anything on my face especially around my eyes, but my eyelids are very dry & flaky & was wondering what I could safely use to moisturize them.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

I would only use an expensive eyelid cream that is hypoallergenic - can't remember the names but maybe clinique or merle norman - keep away from eye itself and use sparingly on eyelids - should not affect glaucoma.

MJK MD

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

If you passed out several times while on cosopt I would SERIOUSLY consider switching to a non-beta blocker.  Also consider SLT laser treatment.

[TORIE328]

Again, thank you for your advice I will look around for an eyecream. As for the eye drops, we did try a few others but with no success, either didnt keep pressures down or cause REALLY dry itchy eyes so since I havent expreienced the passing out for nearly 2 years now, we opted for staying on the Cosopt since it is doing such a wonderful job of controlling my pressures. BTW, what is SLT laser treatment and Is it different then the Iridotomy laser surgery that I had done already.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

Look up LUMENIS SLT on google to learn about it.  It stimulates the body to clean out the trabecular meshwork to help lower the intraocular pressure.  Very nice treatment, very, very high safety.  May not work well if you have narrow angles.  Look into it - see if  you are candidate.

MJK MD

[hamad09]

My father is a diabetic patient and he is in mid Sixties. He suffering from glaucoma and been operated twice. He is using COSOPT which is causing irritation; swallow eye lids, red eyeballs, itching.

Can u suggest any alternate eye drops, or suggest any other medicine to tackle these side affects.
Regards
Hamad Latif

[im77]

get your father on AZARGA eye drops - they're just as good at getting pressures down but it has a much better side effect profile