Cosopt (Dorzolamide Hydrochloride-Timolol Maleate Ophthalmic Solution) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 9, 2012

Cosopt

Glaucoma »

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a disease of the major nerve of vision, called the optic nerve. The optic nerve receives light-generated nerve impulses from the retina and transmits these to the brain, where we recognize those electrical signals as vision. Glaucoma is characterized by a particular pattern of progressive damage to the optic nerve that generally begins with a subtle loss of side vision (peripheral vision). If glaucoma is not diagnosed and treated, it can progress to loss of central vision and blindness.

Glaucoma is usually, but not always, associated with elevated pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure). Generally, it is this elevated eye pressure that leads to damage of the eye (optic) nerve. In some cases, glaucoma may occur in the presence of normal eye pressure. This form of glaucoma is believed to be caused by poor regulation of blood flow to the optic nerve.

How common is glaucoma?

Worldwide, glaucoma...

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COSOPT®
(dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate) Sterile Ophthalmic Solution

DRUG DESCRIPTION

COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) is the combination of a topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and a topical beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent.

Dorzolamide hydrochloride is described chemically as: (4S-trans)-4-(ethylamino)-5,6-dihydro-6-methyl-4H-thieno[2,3-b]thiopyran-2-sulfonamide 7,7-dioxide monohydrochloride. Dorzolamide hydrochloride is optically active. The specific rotation is:

α 25° (C=1, water) = ~ -17°.
405 nm

Its empirical formula is C₁₀H₁₆N₂O₄S₃•HCl and its structural formula is:

Dorzolamide hydrochloride Structural Formula Illustration

Dorzolamide hydrochloride has a molecular weight of 360.91. It is a white to off-white, crystalline powder, which is soluble in water and slightly soluble in methanol and ethanol.

Timolol maleate is described chemically as: (-)-1-(tert-butylamino)-3-[(4-morpholino-1,2,5-thiadiazol-3-yl)oxy]-2-propanol maleate (1:1) (salt). Timolol maleate possesses an asymmetric carbon atom in its structure and is provided as the levo-isomer. The optical rotation of timolol maleate is:

[α] 25°C in 1N HCl (C = 5) = -12.2° (11.7° to -12.5°).
405 nm

Its molecular formula is C₁₃H₂₄N₄O₃S•C₄H₄O₄ and its structural formula is:

Timolol maleate - Structural Formula Illustration

Timolol maleate has a molecular weight of 432.50. It is a white, odorless, crystalline powder which is soluble in water, methanol, and alcohol. Timolol maleate is stable at room temperature.

COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) is supplied as a sterile, isotonic, buffered, slightly viscous, aqueous solution. The pH of the solution is approximately 5.65, and the osmolarity is 242-323 mOsM. Each mL of COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) contains 20 mg dorzolamide (22.26 mg of dorzolamide hydrochloride) and 5 mg timolol (6.83 mg timolol maleate). Inactive ingredients are sodium citrate, hydroxyethyl cellulose, sodium hydroxide, mannitol, and water for injection. Benzalkonium chloride 0.0075% is added as a preservative.

What are the possible side effects of dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic (Cosopt)?

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.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

swelling or redness of your eyelids;
eye redness, discomfort, or sensitivity to light;
drainage, crusting, or oozing of your eyes or eyelids;
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling,...

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Cosopt »

What are the precautions when taking dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution (Cosopt)?

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.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: lung disease (e.g., current or past history of asthma, severe 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., severe heart failure).

Before using this medication, tell your...

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Last reviewed on RxList: 7/20/2010
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.