dorzolamide-timolol

This product contains two drugs used to treat high pressure inside the eye due to glaucoma (open angle-type) or other eye diseases (e.g., ocular hypertension). Lowering high pressure inside the eye helps to prevent blindness. This medication works by decreasing the amount of fluid within the eye. Timolol belongs to a class of drugs known as beta-blockers, and dorzolamide belongs to a class of drugs known as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using timolol/dorzolamide and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

This medication is for use in the eye(s), usually one drop in the affected eye(s) 2 times a day, or as directed by your doctor.

To apply eye drops, wash your hands first. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface.

Some products contain a preservative that may be absorbed by contact lenses. If you are using a product with a preservative and you wear contact lenses, remove the lenses before using the eye drops. Wait at least 15 minutes before putting in your contact lenses.

Tilt your head back, look upward and pull down the lower eyelid to make a pouch. Hold the dropper directly over your eye and place one drop in your eye. Look downward and gently close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Place one finger at the corner of your eye (near the nose) and apply gentle pressure. Try not to blink and do not rub your eye. This will prevent the medication from draining out. Repeat these steps for your other eye if so directed.

Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap after each use.

If you are using another kind of eye medication (e.g., drops or ointments), wait at least 5 minutes before applying other medications. Use eye drops before eye ointments to allow the eye drops to enter the eye.

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day. Keep using this medication even if you feel well. Most people with glaucoma or high pressure in the eyes do not feel sick.

Temporary blurred vision, temporary burning/stinging/itching/redness of the eye, watery eyes, dry eyes, feeling as if something is in the eye, sensitivity of eyes to light, strange taste in the mouth, or headache may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: dizziness, slow/irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, mental/mood changes, coldness/numbness/pain in the hands or feet, vision changes, signs of a kidney stone (e.g., pain in the back/side/abdomen, nausea/vomiting, blood in the urine), yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, unusual tiredness/weakness, easy bruising/bleeding, signs of infection (e.g., fever, chills, persistent sore throat).

Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: persistent eye redness or discharge, eye or eyelid swelling, eye pain, sudden unexplained weight gain, chest pain, weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, confusion, persistent dizziness, fainting.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before using timolol/dorzolamide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to these drugs; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as preservatives like benzalkonium chloride), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: lung disease (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), certain types of irregular heartbeats (e.g., sinus bradycardia, second or third degree AV block), certain types of heart disease (e.g., heart failure), kidney disease (e.g., kidney stones), liver disease, diabetes, overactive thyroid disease, muscle weakness disorders, low blood flow to the brain (cerebrovascular insufficiency), severe allergies.

If you develop an eye infection or injury, or have eye surgery, check with your doctor about whether you should continue to use your current bottle of timolol/dorzolamide. You may be advised to start using a new bottle.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication.

If you have diabetes, this product may prevent the fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually feel when your blood sugar level falls too low (hypoglycemia). Other symptoms of low blood sugar, such as dizziness and sweating, are unaffected by this drug.

This drug may cause temporary blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely.

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

This drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Store the single-use containers in the pouch. Discard any unused single-use containers 15 days after opening the pouch. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

This product is normally colorless. Discard the solution if it changes color, becomes cloudy, or develops particles.

If you are using the single-use containers, discard any unused medication immediately after each use.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: high doses of aspirin or related salicylates, oral beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol), oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., acetazolamide, methazolamide), clonidine, certain antidepressants (including SSRIs such as fluoxetine), digoxin, epinephrine, fingolimod, methyldopa, quinidine.

Low-dose aspirin, as prescribed by your doctor for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention (usually these dosages are 81-325 milligrams per day), should be continued. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: trouble breathing or slow/irregular heartbeat.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., eye exams) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.