Dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic

Dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic (for the eyes) is a combination medicine that helps treat specific types of glaucoma and other reasons for high pressure inside the eye.

Dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

This medicine can lead to serious breathing problems or heart failure. Seek medical help if you experience shortness of breath, pounding heartbeats, swelling in your lower legs, or rapid weight gain.

You should not use dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic if you are allergic to dorzolamide or timolol, or if you have:

• a history of asthma;
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, or emphysema; or
• heart failure, slow heartbeats;
• heart block or "AV block" (2nd or 3rd degree); or
• heart muscle damage (such as from a heart attack).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• breathing problems;
• an allergy to sulfa drugs;
• a genetic tendency for allergic reactions, or if you've had a severe allergic (anaphylactic) reaction;
• muscle weakness, myasthenia gravis;
• a thyroid disorder;
• liver or kidney disease;
• diabetes; or
• if you plan to have surgery.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

Do not use this medicine in a child younger than 2 years old.

Stop using dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic and get emergency medical help if you notice signs of an allergic reaction (hives, severe itching, dizziness, sweating, difficulty breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Serious side effects may happen if the medicine enters your bloodstream.

This medicine can lead to serious breathing issues or heart failure. Seek medical help if you experience:

• fast, slow or pounding heartbeats;
• wheezing;
• shortness of breath; or
• swelling in your lower legs, rapid weight gain.

Dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic can cause serious side effects. Contact your doctor immediately if you have:

• worsening muscle weakness;
• eye redness or swelling;
• droopy eyelids, vision problems; or
• damage to your cornea (the clear layer in front of the iris and pupil)--eye redness, watery eyes, decreased vision, increased sensitivity to light.

Common side effects of dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic may include:

• a bitter or unusual taste in your mouth after using the eye drops;
• blurred vision;
• watery eyes; or
• redness, burning, stinging, or itching in your eyes.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Do not use while wearing soft contact lenses. A preservative in this medicine could permanently stain the lenses. Use the medicine at least 15 minutes before inserting your contact lenses.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Wash your hands before using eye medication.

Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed. Wait at least 5 minutes before using any other eye drops your doctor has prescribed.

Do not touch the tip of the eye dropper or place it directly on your eye. A contaminated dropper can infect your eye, which could lead to serious vision problems.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any eye injury or infection, or if you need surgery (especially eye surgery).

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not use after the medicine's expiration date has passed.

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is close to the time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at the same time.

Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Some symptoms may happen if dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic gets into your bloodstream. These include dizziness, muscle pain or weakness, numbness or tingling, trouble breathing, slow heartbeats, or fluttering in your chest.

This medicine may cause blurred vision and can affect your reactions. Avoid driving or doing anything dangerous until you know how this medicine will affect you.

Do not use other eye medications unless your doctor instructs you to.

Many medicines can interact with dorzolamide and timolol. It is not recommended to use certain other drugs at the same time. Inform your doctor about all your other medicines, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are included here.