Dorzolamide/timolol (Into the eye)

Introduction:

Dorzolamide Hydrochloride (dor-ZOLE-a-mide hye-droe-KLOR-ide), Timolol Maleate (TIM-oh-lol MAL-ee-ate)

Treats the build-up of fluid inside the eye (intraocular pressure) in people with glaucoma or a condition called ocular hypertension.

Brand Name(s):

Cosopt Ocumeter Plus

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Solution

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
• Lie down or tilt your head back. With your index finger, pull down the lower lid of your eye to form a pocket.
• To use the eye drops: Hold the dropper close to your eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between your lower lid and eyeball. Gently close your eyes. Place your index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 minute. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including your eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away. Keep the bottle upright when you are not using it.
• It is very important that you not allow the medicine dropper to touch anything, including your eye. If the dropper touches anything, germs may go into your eye and cause infection.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of the used medicine container and any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Allow 10 minutes to pass between using this medicine and using any other medicines in your eyes (drops or ointment).
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using reserpine, digoxin (Lanoxin®), acetazolamide (Diamox®), methazolamide (Neptazane®), or quinidine (Cardioquin®, Quinaglute®). Tell your doctor if you use blood pressure medicine such as amlodipine (Norvasc®), atenolol (Tenormin®), diltiazem (Cardizem®), metoprolol (Lopressor®, Toprol®), nadolol (Corgard®), nifedipine (Procardia®), propranolol (Inderal®), verapamil (Calan®, Isoptin®), Lotrel®, or Tiazac®.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have bronchitis, emphysema, diabetes, overactive thyroid, myasthenia gravis, kidney disease, liver disease, or heart disease.
• Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any type of food, insect, or medicine.
• If you wear contact lenses, do not put them in your eyes until 15 minutes after using this medicine.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery or medical tests.
• Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have an injury to your eye, an eye infection, or if you need to have surgery on your eye.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash.
• Chest pain.
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in your upper stomach.
• Shortness of breath, cold sweat, and bluish-colored skin.
• Slow heartbeat, lightheadedness, fainting.
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Bitter or unusual taste in your mouth.
• Blurred vision, cloudy vision, dry eyes.
• Eyes more sensitive to light.
• Mild skin rash.
• Muscle weakness.
• Nausea, stomach pain.
• Redness, itching, or swelling of your eyelids.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: