Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects of Cosopt.
Chemical Name: DORZOLAMIDE (dor-ZOLE-a-mide) and TIMOLOL (TIM-oh-lol)
Cosopt 2-0.5% Solution is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and beta-blocker combination used for treating increased pressure in the eye (ocular hypertension) and open-angle glaucoma in patients who do not respond to other medicine.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Cosopt 2-0.5% Solution. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE COSOPT 2-0.5% SOLUTION IF you are using another beta-blocker eye drop (eg, betaxolol) or taking an oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (eg, acetazolamide). ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking bupivacaine, calcium blockers (eg, verapamil), certain antiarrhythmics (eg, disopyramide, flecainide, quinidine), cimetidine, digoxin, ketanserin, reserpine, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine), clonidine, insulin or oral antidiabetics (eg, glyburide, repaglinide), salicylates (eg, aspirin), alpha-blockers (eg, alfuzosin, prazosin), oral beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), certain sympathomimetics (eg, albuterol, salmeterol), epinephrine, or theophylline. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including narrow-angle glaucoma, double vision, a drooping eyelid, other eye problems, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you have a history of lung or breathing problems (eg, bronchitis, COPD, emphysema), diabetes, low blood sugar, heart problems, liver or kidney problems, certain muscle problems (eg, myasthenia gravis), blood vessel problems, or an overactive thyroid. USE OF COSOPT 2-0.5% SOLUTION IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or a history of asthma; heart block, heart failure, or an unusually slow heartbeat; shock caused by severe heart problems; or severe kidney problems. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using Cosopt 2-0.5% Solution.
Follow the directions for taking Cosopt 2-0.5% Solution provided by your doctor. AN EXTRA PATIENT LEAFLET is available with Cosopt 2-0.5% Solution. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information. COSOPT 2-0.5% SOLUTION IS ONLY FOR THE EYE. Do not get it in your nose or mouth. Soft contact lenses may absorb a chemical in Cosopt 2-0.5% Solution. REMOVE CONTACT LENSES before you use Cosopt 2-0.5% Solution; lenses may be placed back in the eyes 15 minutes after use of Cosopt 2-0.5% Solution. TO USE COSOPT 2-0.5% SOLUTION IN THE EYE, first, wash your hands. Tilt your head back. Using your index finger, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Drop the medicine into the pouch and gently close your eyes. Immediately use your finger to apply pressure to the inside corner of the eye for 1 to 2 minutes. Do not blink. Remove excess medicine around your eye with a clean, dry tissue, being careful not to touch your eye. Wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them. TO PREVENT GERMS from contaminating your medicine, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface, including the eye. Keep the container tightly closed. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN THE CAP on the bottle. This may damage the bottle or cap. DO NOT TRY TO MAKE THE HOLE of the medicine dropper larger. USE COSOPT 2-0.5% SOLUTION at least 10 minutes apart from any other medicine that you put in your eye. STORE COSOPT 2-0.5% SOLUTION at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Using Cosopt 2-0.5% Solution at the same time each day will help you remember to use it. CONTINUE TO USE COSOPT 2-0.5% SOLUTION even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF COSOPT 2-0.5% SOLUTION, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.
DO NOT TAKE COSOPT 2-0.5% SOLUTION if you are allergic to any ingredient in Cosopt 2-0.5% Solution. IF YOU HAVE HAD A SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION (eg, severe rash, hives, difficulty breathing, dizziness) to any other sulfonamide medicine, such as acetazolamide, celecoxib, certain diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide), glyburide, probenecid, sulfamethoxazole, valdecoxib, or zonisamide, contact your doctor or pharmacist before using Cosopt 2-0.5% Solution. If you have a question about whether you are allergic to Cosopt 2-0.5% Solution or if a certain medicine is a sulfonamide, contact your doctor or pharmacist. IF YOU EXPERIENCE difficulty breathing; tightness of chest; swelling of eyelids, face, or lips; or if you develop a rash or hives, tell your doctor immediately. Do not use any more doses of Cosopt 2-0.5% Solution unless your doctor tells you to do so. IF YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF ANY SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION, talk with your doctor. You may be at risk for an even more severe allergic reaction if you come into contact with the substance that caused your allergy. Some medicines used to treat severe allergies may also not work as well while you are using Cosopt 2-0.5% Solution. LAB TESTS, including eye pressure, may be performed to monitor your condition or check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using Cosopt 2-0.5% Solution. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Cosopt 2-0.5% Solution. COSOPT 2-0.5% SOLUTION MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS, DROWSINESS, OR BLURRED VISION. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Cosopt 2-0.5% Solution. Using Cosopt 2-0.5% Solution alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR if you have an eye injury or infection, or if you will be having eye surgery. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU BECOME PREGNANT, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Cosopt 2-0.5% Solution during pregnancy. COSOPT 2-0.5% SOLUTION IS FOUND in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while using Cosopt 2-0.5% Solution. DIABETES PATIENTS: Cosopt 2-0.5% Solution may hide signs of low blood sugar, such as rapid heartbeat. Be sure to watch for other signs of low blood sugar. Low blood sugar may make you anxious, sweaty, weak, dizzy, drowsy, or faint. It may also make your vision change; give you a headache, chills, or tremors; or make you more hungry. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking Cosopt 2-0.5% Solution include back pain; bloodshot eyes; blurred vision; cough; dizziness; dry eyes; eyelid discomfort; feeling that something is in your eye; headache; increased tear production; minor burning, itching, or stinging of the eye; nausea; sore throat; stomach pain or upset; or taste changes. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience chest pain or discomfort; chills; confusion; dark urine; eye irritation, swelling, pain, or discharge; eyelid pain, redness, scaling, drooping, or swelling; fainting; fever; pain, numbness, weakness, or tingling of an arm or leg; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe or persistent headache or dizziness; slow or irregular heartbeat; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; unusual tiredness or weakness; vision changes; or yellowing of the skin or eyes. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to Cosopt 2-0.5% Solution is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions for Cosopt
IF OVERDOSE IS SUSPECTED, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include chest pain; difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; severe or persistent dizziness or headache; or slow or irregular heartbeat. COSOPT 2-0.5% SOLUTION MAY BE HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED. If you or someone you know may have taken Cosopt 2-0.5% Solution by mouth, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
DO NOT SHARE COSOPT 2-0.5% SOLUTION with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE COSOPT 2-0.5% SOLUTION for other health conditions. KEEP COSOPT 2-0.5% SOLUTION out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING COSOPT 2-0.5% SOLUTION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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