The information on this site is intended to supplement and enhance, not replace, the advice of a physician who is familiar with your medical history. Decisions about your health should always be made ONLY after detailed conversation with your doctor.
Limited Use
[what does this mean?]
Generic drug name:
dorzolamide
(dor ZOLE a mide)
Brand name(s):
TRUSOPT
GENERIC:
not available
FAMILY:
Drugs for Glaucoma
Find the drug label by
searching at DailyMed.
Limited Use
[what does this mean?]
Generic drug name:
dorzolamide and timolol
(dor ZOLE a mide and TIM oh lole)
Brand name(s):
COSOPT
GENERIC:
not available
FAMILY:
Drugs for Glaucoma
Find the drug label by
searching at DailyMed.
Pregnancy and Breast-feeding Warnings [top]
Pregnancy Warning
These drugs caused fetal harm in animal studies, including malformation of the spine and delayed bone formation. Use during pregnancy only for clear medical reasons. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant before you take this drug.
Breast-feeding Warning
These drugs are excreted in human milk and caused delays in development of pups in animal studies. Because of the potential for serious adverse effects in nursing infants, you should not take these drugs while nursing.
Facts About This Drug [top]
Dorzolamide (TRUSOPT) is used to treat glaucoma, especially open-angle glaucoma, and to lower pressure in the eye. This medication is also used in certain eye surgeries. Excess pressure in the eye can damage the optic nerve and cause loss of vision. Dorzolamide blocks the enzyme carbonic anhydrase, as does the oral drug acetazolamide (DIAMOX). Carbonic anhydrase is present in the eyes, kidney, lungs and stomach. Dorzolamide belongs to the family of sulfa drugs.
The usual dose of...
Dorzolamide (TRUSOPT) is used to treat glaucoma, especially open-angle glaucoma, and to lower pressure in the eye. This medication is also used in certain eye surgeries. Excess pressure in the eye can damage the optic nerve and cause loss of vision. Dorzolamide blocks the enzyme carbonic anhydrase, as does the oral drug acetazolamide (DIAMOX). Carbonic anhydrase is present in the eyes, kidney, lungs and stomach. Dorzolamide belongs to the family of sulfa drugs.
The usual dose of dorzolamide is one drop in the affected eye or eyes, three times daily. Some people may be able to use the drug twice daily.[1] Drugs for glaucoma usually work more quickly in people with light-colored eyes than in people with dark eyes.[1] Bitter taste is a common adverse effect to dorzolamide. If the container becomes contaminated, your eye can be damaged, or you may even suffer loss of vision. Dorzolamide does not lower pressure in the eye as much as acetazolamide or timolol.[2],[3] Adverse effects are generally less likely than with oral acetazolamide. However, dorzolamide, like other eye drops, is absorbed throughout your body. Any adverse effect of sulfas or carbonic anhydrase inhibitors could occur with dorzolamide. These include rare but sometimes fatal severe allergic reactions, blood disorders and bone marrow depression.
People who are allergic to sulfa drugs should not use dorzolamide. Dorzolamide has not been studied in people with liver problems. It is not recommended for people with narrow-angle glaucoma, kidney disease, or people who wear soft contacts. Dorzolamide is also not recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing. Information about dorzolamide, particularly effects after use for more than one year, remains limited. If you stop taking dorzolamide, some of the drug may remain in your body for a few months.[1]
Timolol has two forms for different uses: BLOCADREN tablets for the heart and TIMOPTIC eye drops for the eyes, specifically for treating glaucoma.
The dorzolamide and timolol combination (COSOPT) is a product used to lower pressure in the eye when treatment with a single anti-glaucoma drug has failed to accomplish this objective.[4],[5] This combination drug is as effective as applying each drug separately; however, it costs more than buying them individually. Additionally, this combination choice is far from ideal. Studies comparing brimonidine (ALPHAGAN) and dorzolamide for use as combination drugs with timolol found that brimonidine is a significantly more effective second agent than dorzolamide for further lowering eye pressure in timolol users.[6],[7]
In June 2010, the FDA issued labeling changes to the product package inserts of dorzolamide and dorzolamide with timolol highlighting safety information. The changes state that topical dorzolamide is absorbed systemically (in the body), and adverse effects, including severe skin reactions, can occur with the topical administration.[8]
The following is true for dorzolamide alone. See analogous information for timolol.
Before You Use This Drug [top]
Do not use if you have or have had:
Tell your doctor if you have or have had:
Tell your doctor about any other drugs you take, including aspirin, herbs, vitamins, and other nonprescription products.
The following is true for dorzolamide alone. See analogous information for timolol.
When You Use This Drug [top]
The following is true for dorzolamide alone. See analogous information for timolol.
How to Use This Drug [top]
The following is true for dorzolamide alone. See analogous information for timolol.
Interactions with Other Drugs [top]
The following drugs, biologics (e.g., vaccines, therapeutic antibodies), or foods are listed in Evaluations of Drug Interactions 2003 as causing “highly clinically significant” or “clinically significant” interactions when used together with any of the drugs in this section. In some sections with multiple drugs, the interaction may have been reported for one but not all drugs in this section, but we include the interaction because the drugs in this section are similar to one another. We have also included potentially serious interactions listed in the drug’s FDA-approved professional package insert or in published medical journal articles. There may be other drugs, especially those in the families of drugs listed below, that also will react with this drug to cause severe adverse effects. Make sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist the drugs you are taking and tell them if you are taking any of these interacting drugs:
acetazolamide, DIAMOX, dichlorphenamide, methazolamide, quinidine, TOPAMAX, topiramate.
For dorzolamide with timolol, the preceding apply, plus arbutamide, DELTASONE, prednisone.
Other possible drug interactions are: cholinesterase inhibitors, such as ambenonium (MYTELASE), edrophonium (TENSILON), neostigmine (PROSTIGMIN), or pyridostigmine (MESTINON). The effect of these drugs (often used in myasthenia gravis) may be lowered by dorzolamide.[1] When taken with diuretics there can be a greater loss of potassium.[1] Use with phenytoin (DILANTIN) may aggravate osteoporosis.[1] Salicylic acid (SALSALATE) taken with dorzolamide can lead to acidosis.[1] Also, the preservative in dorzolamide drops (benzalkonium chloride) can interact with soft contact lenses.
The following is true for dorzolamide alone. See analogous information for timolol.
Adverse Effects [top]
Call your doctor immediately if you experience:
Call your doctor if these symptoms continue:
last reviewed January 31, 2024
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