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COSOPT®
(dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution)
(pronounced “CO-sopt”)

Read this information before you start using COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) and each time you refill your prescription. This is in case any information has changed. This leaflet provides a summary of certain information about COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) . Your doctor or pharmacist can give you more complete information about COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) . This leaflet does not take the place of careful discussions with your doctor. You and your doctor should discuss COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) when you start using your medicine and at regular checkups. Only your doctor can prescribe COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) for you.

What is COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) ?

COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) is an eyedrop. It contains dorzolamide hydrochloride, which is an ophthalmic carbonic anhydrase inhibiting drug. It also contains timolol maleate, which is a beta-blocking drug. Both drugs work to lower pressure in the eye, but in different ways.

COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) is a medicine for lowering pressure in the eye in people with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. It is used when a beta-blocker eyedrop alone is not adequate to control eye pressure.

What should I know about high pressure in the eye?

People with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension have pressures in one or both of their eye(s) that are too high for them.

High pressure in the eye may damage the optic nerve. This may lead to loss of vision and possible blindness. There generally are few symptoms that you can feel to tell you whether you have high pressure within your eye. Your doctor needs to examine your eyes to determine this. If you have high pressure in your eye, you will need your pressure checked and your eyes examined regularly.

Who should not use COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) ?

Do not use COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) if you have:

• asthma or have ever had asthma,
• severe lung problems,
• slow or irregular heartbeat or heart failure,
• allergies to any of its ingredients. See the list at the end of the leaflet.

If you are not sure whether you should use COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) , contact your doctor or pharmacist.

What should I tell my doctor before and during treatment with COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) ?

Tell your doctor:

• if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant,
• if you are breast-feeding or intend to breast-feed,
• about any medical problems you have now or had in the past, especially heart problems or breathing problems including asthma,
• if you now have or had in the past kidney or liver problems,
• if you have diabetes, thyroid disease or muscle weakness,
• about all medicines that you are taking or plan to take, including those you can get without a prescription,
• about any allergies including allergies to any medications, especially sulfa drugs,
• if you develop an eye infection, develop a red or swollen eye or eyelid, receive an eye injury, have eye surgery, or develop new or worsening eye symptoms,
• if you plan on having any type of surgery.

How should I use COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) ?

COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) is an eyedrop. The usual dose is one drop in the morning and one drop in the evening. Your doctor will tell you if just one or both eyes are to be treated.

If you are using COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) with another eyedrop, the eyedrops should be used at least 10 minutes apart. It is very important to use your medication exactly as directed by your doctor. If you stop using your medicine, contact your doctor immediately.

COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) contains a preservative called benzalkonium chloride. This preservative may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Contact lenses should be removed before using COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) . The lenses can be placed back into your eyes 15 minutes after using the eyedrops.

Do not allow the tip of the bottle to touch the eye or areas around the eye. The bottle may become contaminated with bacteria. This can cause eye infections leading to serious damage to the eye, even loss of vision. Keep the tip of the bottle away from contact with any surface to avoid contamination.

Instructions For Use

Please follow these instructions carefully when using COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) . Use COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) as prescribed by your doctor.

1. If you use other topically applied ophthalmic medications, they should be administered at least 10 minutes before or after COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) .

2. Wash hands before each use.

3. Before using the medication for the first time, be sure the Safety Strip on the front of the bottle is unbroken. A gap between the bottle and the cap is normal for an unopened bottle.

4. Tear off the Safety Strip to break the seal.

5. To open the bottle, unscrew the cap by turning as indicated by the arrows on the top of the cap. Do not pull the cap directly up and away from the bottle. Pulling the cap directly up will prevent your dispenser from operating properly.

6. Tilt your head back and pull your lower eyelid down slightly to form a pocket between your eyelid and your eye.

7. Invert the bottle, and press lightly with the thumb or index finger over the “Finger Push Area” (as shown) until a single drop is dispensed into the eye as directed by your doctor.

DO NOT TOUCH YOUR EYE OR EYELID WITH THE DROPPER TIP.

OPHTHALMIC MEDICATIONS, IF HANDLED IMPROPERLY, CAN BECOME CONTAMINATED BY COMMON BACTERIA KNOWN TO CAUSE EYE INFECTIONS. SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE EYE AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF VISION MAY RESULT FROM USING CONTAMINATED OPHTHALMIC MEDICATIONS. IF YOU THINK YOUR MEDICATION MAY BE CONTAMINATED, OR IF YOU DEVELOP AN EYE INFECTION, CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY CONCERNING CONTINUED USE OF THIS BOTTLE.

8. If drop dispensing is difficult after opening for the first time, replace the cap on the bottle and tighten (DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN) and then remove by turning the cap in the opposite direction as indicated by the arrows on the top of the cap.

9. Repeat steps 6 & 7 with the other eye if instructed to do so by your doctor.

10. Replace the cap by turning until it is firmly touching the bottle. The arrow on the left side of the cap must be aligned with the arrow on the left side of the bottle label for proper closure. Do not overtighten or you may damage the bottle and cap.

11. The dispenser tip is designed to provide a single drop; therefore, do NOT enlarge the hole of the dispenser tip.

12. After you have used all doses, there will be some COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) left in the bottle. You should not be concerned since an extra amount of COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) has been added and you will get the full amount of COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) that your doctor prescribed. Do not attempt to remove the excess medicine from the bottle.

WARNING: Keep out of reach of children.

If you have any questions about the use of COSOPT (dorzolamide hydrochloride-timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) , please consult your doctor.

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