Cosopt Eye Drops

Drugs

Generic Name: Dorzolamide hydrochloride; Timolol maleate
Product Name: Cosopt Eye Drops

Indication of Cosopt Eye Drops
Action of Cosopt Eye Drops
Dose advice of Cosopt Eye Drops
Schedule of Cosopt Eye Drops
Common side effects of Cosopt Eye Drops
Uncommon side effects of Cosopt Eye Drops
Reference

Indication of Cosopt Eye Drops:

Cosopt is used to lower raised pressure in the eye and to treat glaucoma.

Action of Cosopt Eye Drops:

Cosopt contains two active ingredients, dorzolamide hydrochloride and timolol maleate. Dorzolamide hydrochloride belongs to a family of medicines called carbonic anhydrase inhibitors whereas timolol maleate belongs to a family of medicines called beta-blockers. Both of them lower pressure in the eye by reducing the production of fluid.

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Dose advice of Cosopt Eye Drops:

Dose information:

The usual dose for adults is one drop of Cosopt twice a day, in either one or both eyes.
If you are using more than one type of eye drops, you should wait at least 10 minutes in between eye drops.
If you are wearing soft contact lenses, you should remove them before putting the drops in your eye. You may replace your contact lenses 15 minutes after using the eye drops.
The following instructions should be followed while you are using Cosopt eye drops:
1. Wash your hands well with soap and water.
2. To open the bottle for the first time, hold the bottle upright, and turn the cap in the direction of the arrows until you can lift it off. This will break the two safety seals.
3. Place the cap upside down on a flat surface. Do not touch the inside of the cap.
4. Hold the bottle upside down in one hand, with your thumb or index finger over the "finger push" area.
5. Using your other hand, gently pull down your lower eyelid to form a pouch.
6. Tilt your head back and look up.
7. Put the tip of the bottle close to your lower eyelid. Do not let it touch your eye.
8. Release one drop into the pouch formed between your eye and eyelid by gently squeezing the bottle.
9. Close your eye and keep it closed. Do not blink or rub your eye.
10. While your eye is still closed, apply a gentle pressure using your index finger against tear ducts for about two minutes. This will help to stop the medicine from draining through the tear duct to the nose and throat, from where it can be absorbed into other parts of your body.
11. Replace the cap, sealing it tightly. Do not overtighten the cap.
12. Wash your hands again with soap and water to remove any residue.
The opened bottle should be discarded after 28 days after opening.
You must be careful not to touch the dropper tip against your eye, eyelid or anything else to avoid contaminating the eye drops. Contaminated eye drops cause an eye infection.
You may feel a slight burning sensation in the eye after using the eye drops.
Cosopt eye drops help control your condition but does not cure it. Therefore, you must use it every day. Continue using Cosopt eye drops for as long as your doctor prescribes.
Cosopt eye drops may cause blurred vision or dizziness in some people. If you are affected, you should avoid driving a car or operating machinery.

Contraindications:

Do not use Cosopt eye drops:

if you have asthma or a history of asthma, emphysema, or other breathing problems
if you have certain heart conditions, such as a very slow heart rate, an irregular heart beat, or heart failure
in your child

Precautions:

Tell your doctor if you

are pregnant or intend to become pregnant
are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
have medical conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease and liver disease
have an allergy to sulfonamide medicines
are already using another beta-blocker eye drop
are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop

Use in pregnancy (Category C):

Safety has not been established regarding use of Cosopt eye drops in pregnancy. It should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Lactation:

Safety has not been established regarding use of Cosopt eye drops in breastfeeding mothers. One of the active ingredient, timolol has been detected in human milk. It should be used only if the benefits outweigh the potential side effects.

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Schedule of Cosopt Eye Drops:

Cosopt is Schedule 4.

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Common side effects of Cosopt Eye Drops:

All medicines have side effects. Most commonly the side effects are minor, however some can be more serious. Usually the benefits of taking a medication outweigh the associated side effects. Your doctor would have considered these side effects before starting you on Cosopt.

Common side effects are those which occur in more than 1% of patients given Cosopt eye drops. These include:

blurred vision or other visual problems
allergic reactions
burning and stinging of the eyes
conjunctivitis
swelling of the eyelids
headache
tiredness, weakness
ringing in the ears
difficulty sleeping
changes in mood
nausea
upset stomach, diarrhoea
bitter or abnormal taste, dry mouth
cough
sore throat and discomfort when swallowing
sinusitis
cold hands or feet
numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes
back pain
nose bleeds
hair loss or thinning
less desire for sex

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Uncommon side effects of Cosopt Eye Drops:

Side effects which occur in less than 1% of patients given Cosopt are considered uncommon. Patients do not necessarily experience any of these side effects, so do not become alarmed by this list:

symptoms of a urinary tract infection including an urge to urinate frequently and in small amounts, or painful burning when passing urine
palpitations
slow or irregular heart beats
dizziness and light-headedness
skin rash, itching
swelling of the hands feet or ankles

The following side effects are serious and requires immediate medical attention:

wheezing, difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath
very slow pulse, chest pain
fainting
swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat
hives

If you experience any of the listed side effects, or any other symptoms which appear abnormal or unusual, please tell your doctor.

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Reference:

Australian Medicines Handbook. Cosopt. January 2008 [cited 2008 July 13]. Available from URL: http://amh.hcn.net.au
MIMS Online. Cosopt. 22 December 2006 [cited 2008 July 13]. Available from URL: http://mims.hcn.net.au

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For further information talk to your doctor.