Cosopt Eye Drops: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects - Drugs.com

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# Cosopt Eye Drops

Generic name: dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic [ dor-ZOLE-a-mide-and-TYE-moe-lol-off-THAL-mik ]
Drug class: Ophthalmic glaucoma agents

Medically reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD. Last updated on Jun 9, 2021.

## What is Cosopt?

Cosopt eye drops contain a combination of dorzolamide and timolol. Dorzolamide reduces the amount of fluid in the eye, which decreases pressure inside the eye. Timolol is a beta-blocker that also reduces pressure inside the eye.

Cosopt is a prescription eye drop solution used to treat open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension when a beta-blocking medicine alone does not work to control the eye pressure.

It is not known if Cosopt is safe and effective in children 2 years of age and younger.

## Warnings

You should not use Cosopt eye drops 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.

Cosopt can cause serious breathing problems or heart failure. Get medical help if you have shortness of breath, pounding heartbeats, swelling in your lower legs, or rapid weight gain.

## Before taking this medicine

You should not use Cosopt eye drops if you are allergic to dorzolamide or timolol, or if you have:

- a history of asthma;

- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, or emphysema; or

- heart failure, slow heartbeats;

- heart block or "AV block" (2nd or 3rd degree); or

- heart muscle damage (such as from a heart attack).

To make sure Cosopt is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

- breathing problems;

- an allergy to sulfa drugs;

- a genetic disposition for allergic reactions, or if you've had a severe allergic (anaphylactic) reaction;

- muscle weakness, myasthenia gravis;

- a thyroid disorder;

- liver or kidney disease;

- diabetes; or

- if you plan to have surgery.

It is not known whether dorzolamide or timolol will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using Cosopt.

Do not use Cosopt in a child younger than 2 years old.

Cosopt pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (more detail)

## How should I use Cosopt eye drops?

USe Cosopt exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Do not Cosopt eye drops use while wearing soft contact lenses. A preservative in this medicine could permanently stain the lenses. Use the medicine at least 15 minutes before inserting your contact lenses.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Wash your hands before using eye medication.

Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed. Wait at least 5 minutes before using any other eye drops your doctor has prescribed.

Do not touch the tip of the Cosopt eye dropper or place it directly on your eye. A contaminated dropper can infect your eye, which could lead to serious vision problems.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any eye injury or infection, or if you need surgery (especially eye surgery).

Store Cosopt eye drops at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not use after the medicine's expiration date has passed.

## Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Intraocular Hypertension:

1 drop in the affected eye(s) 2 times per day.

Usual Adult Dose for Glaucoma (Open Angle):

1 drop in the affected eye(s) 2 times per day.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Intraocular Hypertension:

2 years or older: 1 drop in the affected eye(s) 2 times per day.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Glaucoma (Open Angle):

2 years or older:1 drop in the affected eye(s) 2 times per day
Comments: If more than one topical ophthalmic drug is being used, the drugs should be administered at least ten minutes apart.
The solution from one individual unit is to be used immediately after opening for administration to one or both eyes.
The remaining contents should be discarded immediately after administration.
Use: To reduce elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who are insufficiently responsive to beta-blockers (failed to achieve target IOP determined after multiple measurements over time).

Detailed Cosopt dosage information

## What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

## What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Certain symptoms may occur if this medicine is absorbed into your bloodstream. This includes dizziness, muscle pain or weakness, numbness or tingling, trouble breathing, slow heartbeats, or fluttering in your chest.

## What should I avoid while using Cosopt?

Cosopt may cause blurred vision and may impair your reactions. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you.

Do not use other eye medications unless your doctor tells you to.

## Cosopt side effects

Stop using this medicine and get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Cosopt (hives, severe itching, dizziness, sweating, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Serious side effects may occur if the medicine is absorbed into your bloodstream.

Cosopt can cause serious breathing problems or heart failure. Get medical help if you have:

- fast, slow or pounding heartbeats;

- wheezing;

- shortness of breath; or

- swelling in your lower legs, rapid weight gain.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

- worsening muscle weakness;

- eye redness or swelling;

- droopy eyelids, vision problems; or

- damage to your cornea (the clear layer in front of the iris and pupil) - eye redness, watery eyes, decreased vision, increased sensitivity to light.

Common Cosopt side effects may include:

- a bitter or unusual taste in your mouth after using the eye drops;

- blurred vision;

- watery eyes; or

- redness, burning, stinging, or itching in your eyes.

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.

Cosopt side effects (more detail)

## What other drugs will affect Cosopt?

Many drugs can interact with dorzolamide and timolol, and using certain other drugs at the same time is not recommended. Tell your doctor about all your other medicines including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Cosopt drug interactions (more detail)

## Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Cosopt only for the indication prescribed.

## More about Cosopt (dorzolamide / timolol ophthalmic)

- Check interactions
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (6)
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Generic availability
- Drug class: ophthalmic glaucoma agents
- En español

### Patient resources

- Advanced Reading
- Cosopt Ocumeter Plus (Advanced Reading)

### Professional resources

- Prescribing Information

### Other formulations

- Cosopt PF

### Related treatment guides

- Glaucoma, Open Angle
- Intraocular Hypertension

## Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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