Cosopt PF

The active ingredients in Cosopt PF are timolol maleate, a beta-adrenergic blocking agent, and dorzolamide hydrochloride, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. Beta-blockers work by relaxing blood vessels and reducing eye pressure. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors work by reducing the amount of fluid in the eye.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide before using Cosopt PF. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Cosopt PF:

1. Wash your hands before and after each use.

2. Open the foil pouch and break off one single-use pipette from the strip. Twist open the top of the pipette to remove.

3. Do not allow the dropper tip to touch your eye, fingers, or any other surface to avoid contamination.

4. To apply the drops, tilt your head up and pull down on your lower eyelid of the affected eye while looking up. Then press lightly on the button to release one drop of the solution into your eye.

5. Following administration, close your eyes gently and hold pressure on your tear duct (inner corner of your eye, by your nose) for two minutes. Then repeat for the other eye if needed. Each pipette contains enough for both eyes.

6. Store the remaining pipettes in the foil pouch, and use within 15 days.

7. If you use more than one eye drop, wait at least 5 minutes between administrations.

8. It is recommended to apply the drops in the evening due to side effects (blurred vision) and increased contact time during sleep.

9. Those with diabetes should monitor their blood sugar levels more regularly, as this medication can mask the signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

10. As these eye drops are preservative-free, you can safely wear contact lenses while using them.

The most common side effects of Cosopt PF include:

• Temporary blurred vision.
• Eye burning or stinging.
• Eye pain.
• Dry eyes.
• Crusty eyelids (keratitis).
• Swelling of the eye (cornea).

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Cosopt PF. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Heart problems, including irregular heartbeat or low blood pressure.
• Worsening heart failure symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain (angina), rapid weight gain, fatigue, and fluid retention (swelling in the legs).
• Acute bronchospasm, which would feel like chest pain, shortness of breath, cough, lightheadedness, and extreme fatigue.
• Serious life-threatening allergic reactions, which may present as skin rash, hives, swelling of the face, mouth, or tongue, and/ or trouble breathing (anaphylaxis).
• Kidney stones, which would look like painful urination and/or blood in the urine.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Cosopt PF. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Cosopt PF, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including:

• Diabetes.
• An upcoming major surgery or eye surgery.
• Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
• Kidney or liver problems.
• History of stroke.
• Muscle weakness disorder, such as myasthenia gravis.

• Angle-closure glaucoma.
• Breathing problems such as allergic rhinitis, bronchospasm, or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Heart disease, including congestive heart failure, heart block, or slow heartbeat (sinus bradycardia).
• Hypersensitivity or allergy to timolol or dorzolamide HCl, or a sulfa allergy.

It will take several weeks before the full effect is seen.

When Cosopt PF is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions.

• Oral beta-adrenergic inhibitors, when combined with these eye drops, may increase the effects of both medications.
• Calcium channel blockers may increase the rate of severe side effects when combined with Cosopt.
• Certain antidepressants, and the drug quinidine, may increase the effect of timolol on blood pressure.
• Withdrawal from clonidine may be worsened by the use of timolol.
• Epinephrine may not be as effective in treating allergic reactions when you are taking timolol.

Brand-name Cosopt PF is supplied as bottles containing 20mg/mL of dorzolamide and 5mg/mL of timolol.

It should be stored at room temperature away from the reach of children or pets.

It is manufactured by Elvium Life Sciences.

Yes, and it is also available in preservative-containing bottles (Cosopt).

Barring any serious side effects as listed above, or as directed by a physician, you should not discontinue this medication suddenly. It needs to be tapered off gradually to avoid symptoms of withdrawal.

Timolol eye drops can cause a low heart rate in a growing fetus, and the minimum effective dose should be used if treating glaucoma during pregnancy. The effect of dorzolamide on a growing fetus is not well known, and other agents to treat glaucoma during pregnancy are recommended.

Talk to your doctor if you are already pregnant or if you have any plans to become pregnant. They will know or recommend what is best for you.

Studies show that exposure to beta-blockers during pregnancy may increase the risk of adverse events in a newborn. If the use of timolol is indicated, newborns should be monitored for bradycardia, hypoglycemia, and respiratory depression. Dorzolamide is considered compatible with breastfeeding.

Talk to your doctor if you are already breastfeeding or if you have any plans to breastfeed. They will know or recommend what is best for you.