Dorzolamide and Timolol (Ophthalmic)

Brand Names : Cosopt

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ophthalmic dorzolamide and timolol, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (either ophthalmic or systemic), such as acetazolamide, brinzolamide, dichlorphenamide, dorzolamide, or methazolamide.

In addition, tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to any of the beta-adrenergic blocking agents (either ophthalmic or systemic), such as acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, bisoprolol, carteolol, labetalol, levobunolol, metipranolol, metoprolol, nadolol, oxprenolol, penbutolol, pindolol, propranolol, sotalol, or timolol.

Also, tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to sulfonamides (sulfa drugs) or thiazide diuretics (a type of water pill).

Furthermore, tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as benzalkonium chloride or other preservatives.

Pregnancy - This medicine has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals given very high doses of this medicine by mouth have shown that this medicine causes birth defects or other problems. Before using this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding - Although it is not known whether dorzolamide passes into the breast milk, timolol has been found to pass into the breast milk and it is possible that it could cause unwanted effects in nursing babies. Mothers who are using this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of this medicine in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults - Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of this medicine in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are using this medicine, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Beta-adrenergic blocking agents you take by mouth (acebutolol [e.g., Sectral], atenolol [e.g., Tenormin], betaxolol [e.g., Kerlone], bisoprolol [e.g., Zebeta], carteolol [e.g., Cartrol], labetalol [e.g., Normodyne], metoprolol [e.g., Lopressor], nadolol [e.g., Corgard], oxprenolol [e.g., Trasicor], penbutolol [e.g., Levatol], pindolol [e.g., Visken], propranolol [e.g., Inderal], sotalol [e.g., Sotacor], timolol [e.g., Blocadren]) - The effects of both the timolol in the ophthalmic dorzolamide and timolol combination and the systemic beta-adrenergic blocking agents may be increased

• Calcium channel blocking agents (bepridil [e.g, Vascar], diltiazem [e.g., Cardizem], felodipine [e.g., Plendil], flunarizine [e.g., Sibelium], isradipine [e.g., DynaCirc], nicardipine [e.g., Cardene], nifedipine [e.g., Procardia], nimodipine [e.g., Nimotop], verapamil [e.g., Calan] or
• Digitalis glycosides (heart medicine) when used together with calcium channel blocking agents - Unwanted effects on the heart may be increased

• Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor-type glaucoma medicine you take by mouth (for example, acetazolamide [e.g., Diamox], dichlorphenamide [e.g., Daranide], or methazolamide [e.g., Neptazane]) - Effects of these medicines on the body may be increased

• Quinidine (e.g., Cardioquin) or
• Reserpine (e.g., Serpasil) and other catecholamine-depleting medicines - Effects of the ophthalmic dorzolamide and timolol combination may be increased, possibly leading to slow heartbeat, low blood pressure, and fainting

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Allergy, history of - Severity and duration of allergic reactions to other substances may be increased

• Asthma or
• Bronchitis or
• Emphysema or
• Lung problems, other - This medicine can increase trouble in breathing

• Bradycardia (unusually slow heartbeat) or
• Heart problems, other - There is a risk of further decreased heart function

• Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) or
• Hypoglycemia - If your blood sugar becomes too low, this medicine may cover up some of the symptoms

• Kidney disease, severe - Effects of this medicine may be increased because of its slower removal from the body

• Myasthenia gravis - This medicine may make this condition worse

• Overactive thyroid - This medicine may cover up fast heartbeat, which is a sign of overactive thyroid