Brand Cosopt

Cosopt eye drops contain two active ingredients, timolol and dorzolamide. These are both medicines that decrease raised pressure within the eye.
The pressure within the eyeball is normally maintained by a continuous flow of liquid called aqueous humour through the eyeball. Aqueous humour is produced by a part of the eye called the ciliary body. If aqueous humour builds up inside the eyeball, this increases the pressure within the eyeball. This pressure needs to be reduced, as otherwise it can damage the optic nerve and impair vision.
Timolol and dorzolamide work in different ways to reduce the production of aqueous humour and so decrease its build-up inside the eyeball. They both therefore decrease the pressure in the eyeball.
Timolol is a type of medicine called a beta-blocker. These medicines block beta receptors in various parts of the body. Blocking the beta receptors in the eye reduces the amount of aqueous humour that is produced.

Dorzolamide is a type of medicine called a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. It works by blocking the action of an enzyme in the body called carbonic anhydrase. Carbonic anhydrase is usually responsible for the production of a salt called bicarbonate in the body. Bicarbonate is needed for the production of the aqueous humour. By decreasing the production of bicarbonate, dorzolamide also decreases the production of aqueous humour.
Cosopt eye drops are used to treat glaucoma when treatment with a beta-blocker eye drop on its own has not lowered the pressure in the eye sufficiently.
The eye drops should be put into the affected eye(s) twice a day.
Cosopt eye drops are available in multi-dose bottles or preservative-free single-dose containers.

Usage
Open angle glaucoma.
Pseudo-exfoliative glaucoma.

Warning!
This medicine is not to be taken by mouth.
When using these eye drops you should take care to not touch the dropper tip to any surface, or to your eye, in order to avoid contaminating the eye drops.
Cosopt eye drops in a multi-dose bottle contain the preservative benzalkonium chloride, which can be absorbed by soft contact lenses and cause eye irritation. If you wear soft contact lenses, you should remove them before putting in these eye drops. You should wait at least 15 minutes after using the drops before putting your contact lenses back in.
This medicine may cause temporary blurred vision after you have applied it into the eye(s). If affected, do not drive or operate machinary until this has worn off. You should also take into account that this medicine can sometimes cause other visual disturbances, eg double vision, and dizziness or fatigue, all of which may affect your ability to drive or operate machinary.
Cosopt eye drops are sterile until opened. The multi-dose bottles contain a preservative that helps keep the eye drops sterile. Any medicine remaining in the bottle four weeks after the first opening should be carefully disposed of, as after this time it is likely to be contaminated with germs. You may find it helpful to write the date of first opening on the packet. Dispose of carefully, preferably by returning to your pharmacy. Cosopt single dose containers do not contain a preservative and are for single use only. They should be disposed of after use, even if there is some solution remaining.

Beta-blockers such as timolol can be absorbed into the bloodstream after being applied into the eye. They may mask the symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) such as increased heart rate, sweating, tremor and nausea. For this reason, people with diabetes should carefully monitor their blood sugar while using these eyes drops.
Beta-blockers such as timolol can increase sensitivity to substances which cause allergy and the seriousness of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). People who experience an anaphylactic reaction while using this medicine may need larger than normal doses of adrenaline to treat the reaction. Seek further medical advice from your doctor if you have a history of allergies.
While using this medicine you should have regular eye examinations.

Use with caution in

• History of heart disease.
• A severe form of angina pectoris, not caused by exertion (Prinzmetal's angina).
• Low blood pressure (hypotension).
• Severe disturbance of blood circulation in the extremities, eg Raynaud's disease.
• Decreased liver function.
• History of allergies.
• Psoriasis.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism).
• Abnormal muscle weakness (myaesthenia gravis).
• History of kidney stones (nephrolithiasis)
• Chronic defects of the transparent circular part of the front of the eyeball (cornea).
• People who have had eye surgery.