Dorzolamide+timolol
About
Dorzolamide+timolol belongs to anti-hypertensive combination medication called antiglaucoma agents, primarily used to treat open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension (high pressure in the eyes). Dorzolamide+timolol is generally used when no other medication effectively treats glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Glaucoma is an eye condition that causes damage to the optic nerve (essential for good vision) due to abnormally increased pressure in the eye. Ocular hypertension is increased pressure in the eye due to poor drainage of aqueous humour (fluid in the eye that maintains normal pressure by its continuous flow).
Dorzolamide+timolol contains Dorzolamide and Timolol. Dorzolamide is a topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, and Timolol is a topical beta-blocker. Both help decrease the secretion of aqueous humour (natural fluid present in the eye) by the eye's ciliary body, thereby causing a decrease in eye pressure.
Dorzolamide+timolol is taken with or without food in a dose and duration as advised by the doctor. The doctor will adjust your dose according to your condition and response to the medicine. In some cases, you may experience itching, stinging sensation, burning sensation in the eye, redness, blurred vision, tiredness, drowsiness, headache and dryness in the mouth. Most of these side effects of Dorzolamide+timolol do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Try not to stop taking this medicine of your own. You should not use Dorzolamide+timolol without consulting your doctor if you have an eye infection, allergies, closed-angle glaucoma, thyroid diseases, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart, liver and kidney diseases, diabetes, high or low blood pressure, depression, Raynaud's phenomenon (numbness in various parts of the body) and slow heartbeats that make you faint. Using Dorzolamide+timolol during breastfeeding is unsafe since Timolol can pass into breast milk and harm a nursing baby. Check with your doctor before using Dorzolamide+timolol if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking other prescribed or non-prescribed medicines. If you use more than one ophthalmic drug, install each medication with a five-minute gap.
Uses of Dorzolamide+timolol
Medicinal Benefits
Dorzolamide+timolol is an ophthalmic medication. It effectively treats open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension (high eye pressure). Dorzolamide+timolol consists of Dorzolamide and Timolol in the form of ophthalmic solution (eye drops). Dorzolamide is a topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, and timolol is a topical beta-blocker. Both help decrease the secretion of aqueous humour (natural fluid present in the eye) by the ciliary body in the eye, thereby causing a decrease in eye pressure.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Dorzolamide+timolol
- Itching, stinging sensation
- Burning sensation in the eye
- Redness
- Blurred vision
- Tiredness, drowsiness
- Headache
- Dryness in the mouth
- Taste change
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Dorzolamide+timolol if you are allergic to Dorzolamide+timolol or any of its ingredients. Before taking Dorzolamide+timolol, let your doctor know if you have a history of eye infection, allergies, closed-angle glaucoma, thyroid diseases, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart, liver, and kidney diseases, diabetes, high or low blood pressure, depression, Raynaud's phenomenon (numbness in various parts of the body), and slow heartbeats that make you faint. Regular monitoring of blood sugars may mask the signs and symptoms of acute hypoglycaemia. Using Dorzolamide+timolol during breastfeeding is unsafe since Timolol can pass into breast milk and harm a nursing baby. Let your doctor know if you use other over-the-counter medications, herbal and vitamin supplements before taking Dorzolamide+timolol.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Dorzolamide+timolol may interact with blood-pressure-lowering medicines (clonidine, reserpine, amlodipine, nifedipine, diltiazem, metoprolol, verapamil), heart-related medicines (digoxin), antidepressants (paroxetine, fluoxetine), antimalarial drugs (quinidine) and medication for severe allergic reaction (adrenaline), blood thinners (aspirin), other glaucoma medications (acetazolamide), muscle weakness medication (dichlorphenamide), anti-epileptic medication (topiramate), analgesics (sodium salicylate).
Drug-Food Interactions: The absorption of Dorzolamide+timolol can cause dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. In such cases, the consumption of alcohol increases the risk. Hence avoid or limit the intake of alcohol.
Drug-Disease Interactions: have or have ever had asthma, lung disease (including chronic bronchitis and emphysema), heart disease, diabetes, an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), severe allergic reactions, myasthenia gravis, acute hypoglycaemia and kidney or liver disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionThe interaction of alcohol with Dorzolamide+timolol is unknown. However, it is advisable not to take or limit alcohol as a precautionary measure.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant or already pregnant before starting Dorzolamide+timolol.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere is no information available on the usage of Dorzolamide+timolol while nursing. Please consult your physician.
Driving
cautionDorzolamide+timolol may cause side effects like blurry vision, affecting your driving ability. Do not drive or operate machinery in such cases. Drive only when you are alert and have clear vision.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Dorzolamide+timolol.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Dorzolamide+timolol.
Children
cautionThe dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor depending upon the condition of the children's disease and age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Take the medication as directed by the doctor and at regular intervals. Do not use other over-the-counter medicines, herbal or vitamin supplements without informing your pharmacist or doctor when you take Dorzolamide+timolol.
- Try to maintain good hygiene to keep your eyes clean and irritant-free.
- Do not rub your eyes even though some ophthalmic drugs make your eye itchy.
- Lowering your salt intake can help with fluid retention.
- Wash your hands thoroughly, and do not touch the dropper before using drops to avoid contamination.
Special Advise
- Dorzolamide+timolol should be used with extreme caution in children, and if you notice abnormal breathing, wheezing, coughing or unusual pauses in breathing, stop using Dorzolamide+timolol and consult a doctor immediately.
- If you have an injury to the eye or an eye infection, inform your doctor.
- You are advised to inform your doctor before any operation that you are using Dorzolamide+timolol as it may alter the effects of some medicines used during anaesthesia.
- Routine eye tests are recommended at least every two years to detect glaucoma, as it does not initially show any symptoms.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a common eye condition where the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, becomes damaged. It's usually caused by fluid building up in the front part of the eye, which increases pressure inside the eye. Glaucoma can lead to vision loss if not diagnosed and treated early.
Open-angle glaucoma: Open-angle glaucoma is a life-long condition and the most common type of glaucoma. It is caused by the clogging of the drainage angle between the iris and cornea, which leads to the blockage of eye fluid and increases eye pressure.
Ocular hypertension: Ocular hypertension is the building up of pressure in the eye caused by poor drainage of the aqueous humour (fluid inside the eye that maintains normal pressure).
FAQs
Dorzolamide+timolol contains Dorzolamide and Timolol. Dorzolamide is a topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, and Timolol is a topical beta-blocker. Both help decrease the secretion of aqueous humour (natural fluid present in the eye) by the eye's ciliary body, thereby causing a decrease in eye pressure.
No, you should not stop taking Dorzolamide+timolol even if you feel better. Continue the course as suggested by the doctor.
Dorzolamide+timolol can cause blurry vision for some time in the beginning. Avoid driving and operating machinery in such cases until you feel better. If the effect persists longer, seek medical attention.
Apply the drops as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Keep the container tightly closed after its every use. Please do not touch the dropper since it contaminates the medication and affects the eye. Store it according to the instructions labelled on the leaflet. Keep it out of reach of children and pets.
Glaucoma is a common eye condition where the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, becomes damaged. It's usually caused by fluid building up in the front part of the eye, which increases pressure inside the eye. Glaucoma can lead to vision loss if not diagnosed and treated early.
Dorzolamide+timolol should be administered with caution in patients subject to spontaneous hypoglycaemia or patients with labile diabetes, as beta-blockers may mask the signs and symptoms of acute hypoglycaemia.
