Cosopt Eye Drops (Dorzolamide/Timolol)

You should not use this medication 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.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to dorzolamide (Cosopt or Trusopt) or timolol (Blocadren, Betimol, Istalol, Timoptic), or 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.

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

•narrow-angle glaucoma;

•breathing problems such as bronchitis or emphysema;

•a history of heart disease or congestive heart failure;

•diabetes;

•a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis;

•kidney disease;

•liver disease; or

•a thyroid disorder.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether COSOPT ophthalmic will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

It is not known whether COSOPT ophthalmic passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using this medicine.

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

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Although the risk of serious side effects is low when COSOPT is used in the eyes, you should be aware of side effects that can occur if the medication is absorbed into your bloodstream.

Stop using the medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

•swelling or redness of your eyelids;

•eye redness, pain, discomfort, or sensitivity to light;

•drainage, crusting, or oozing of your eyes or eyelids;

•wheezing, gasping, or other breathing problems;

•swelling, rapid weight gain;

•feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion; or

•severe skin reaction: fever, sore throat, cough, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects may include:

•bitter or unusual taste in your mouth;

•blurred vision; or

•burning, stinging, or itching in your eyes.

COSOPT ophthalmic can cause blurred vision. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be able to see clearly.

Do not use other eye medications during treatment with COSOPT ophthalmic unless your doctor tells you to.

Other drugs may interact with COSOPT ophthalmic, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Do not use this medication while you are wearing contact lenses. This medication may contain a preservative that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using the eye drops before putting your contact lenses in.

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Wash your hands before using the eye drops.

To apply the eye drops:

•Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the dropper above the eye with the tip down. Look up and away from the dropper and squeeze out a drop.

•Close your eyes for 2 or 3 minutes with your head tipped down, without blinking or squinting. Gently press your finger to the inside corner of the eye for about 1 minute, to keep the liquid from draining into your tear duct.

•Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed. If you use more than one drop, wait about 5 minutes between drops.

•Wait at least 10 minutes before using any other eye drops your doctor has prescribed.

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

Do not use the eye drops if the liquid has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any eye injury or infection, or if you need to have any type of surgery, especially eye surgery. You may need to stop using COSOPT ophthalmic for a short time.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.