Cosdor (Dorzolamide Hydrochloride And Timolol Maleate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Cosdor Used For?
Cosdor is a prescription eye drop medication that combines two active ingredients to effectively lower pressure inside your eyes.
Primary Uses
Cosdor is used to lower raised pressure in the eye and to treat ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma. Although Cosdor helps control your glaucoma, it does not cure it.
How It Works
Cosdor contains dorzolamide hydrochloride (a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor) and timolol maleate (a beta-blocker). Both ingredients lower eye pressure by reducing fluid production in the eye, but they work through different mechanisms. Glaucoma is usually caused by fluid build-up in the eye when fluid drains out more slowly than it’s produced, causing pressure to rise and potentially damaging the back of the eye.
Good to know: Cosdor is not addictive
How to Take Cosdor
Your doctor will provide specific instructions for using Cosdor eye drops. Follow their directions carefully as they may differ from general guidelines.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose for adults is one drop of Cosdor twice a day in either one or both eyes. Remove soft contact lenses before using and wait 15 minutes before putting them back in. Tilt your head back, pull down the lower eyelid, look up, and squeeze one drop into the eye. Release the eyelid, close the eye without blinking, and press the inner corner against your nose for about two minutes. Wait at least 10 minutes before using any other eye drops.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose at the usual time and it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Otherwise, use the drops as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. If you’re unsure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Important: Do not use double the amount to make up for a missed dose
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- dry, itchy, burning, or stinging eyes
- feeling like there is something in the eye
- blurred vision
- watery eyes
- discharge from the eyes
- conjunctivitis
- headache
- tiredness, weakness
- bitter or abnormal taste
- cough
- cold or flu-like symptoms
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- fast/slow/irregular heartbeat
- lightheadedness/dizziness
- slow pulse
- chest pain
- skin rash
- pinkish itchy rash
- swelling on face/lips/throat/tongue which may cause difficulty breathing
- wheezing
- shortness of breath
- swelling of hands/feet/ankles
- fainting
Important Warnings
Before using Cosdor, it’s essential to discuss your medical history and current medications with your doctor to ensure safe use.
Who Should Not Take Cosdor
Do not use Cosdor if you are allergic to dorzolamide hydrochloride, timolol maleate, or any ingredients; have serious breathing problems like asthma or chronic obstructive lung disease; have certain heart conditions like slow heart rate, irregular heartbeat, or heart failure; have severe kidney disease or history of kidney stones; have excess blood acidity from chloride buildup; or if the bottle seal is broken or expired.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have poor blood circulation problems, muscle weakness or myasthenia gravis, diabetes or blood sugar problems, liver or kidney disease, history of allergic problems, heart problems, any eye conditions including dry eyes, or if you’re scheduled for surgery.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using Cosdor during pregnancy. Do not use Cosdor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, as the baby may absorb the medication from breast milk.
Sulfonamide Allergy: If you are allergic to sulfonamide medicines, you may be allergic to Cosdor since dorzolamide hydrochloride is a sulfonamide-related compound
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Cosdor and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medications you’re taking.
Beta-blocker Warning: It is not recommended to use two beta-blocker eye drops at the same time
- medicines for high blood pressure or heart conditions, including beta-blockers
- quinidine (for irregular heart beats)
- medicines to treat diabetes
- tablets used to treat glaucoma
- large amounts of aspirin or salicylates
- medicines to treat depression
- medicines to treat pain or severe cancer pain, such as opioids and morphine
Alcohol & Driving
Cosdor may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol interactions mentioned in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Cosdor may cause blurred vision or dizziness in some people. Make sure you know how you react to Cosdor and that your vision is clear before driving a car or operating machinery. Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Cosdor affects you.
Storage
Store your Cosdor eye drops in a cool dry place below 25°C and protected from light. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, on window sills, or in clothing pockets. Keep away from children. Write the date you open the bottle on the carton and throw out any remaining solution after 4 weeks (28 days). Do not leave the cap off to avoid contamination.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else has swallowed Cosdor or used too many drops, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia telephone 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, light-headedness, dizziness, nausea, fainting, very slow pulse rate, wheezing, or difficulty breathing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source doesn’t specify exact timing, but Cosdor helps control glaucoma by reducing eye pressure. Your doctor will monitor your eye pressure regularly to ensure it’s working properly.
Remove soft contact lenses before using Cosdor drops and wait at least 15 minutes after using the drops before putting your contact lenses back in. The preservative in Cosdor may be deposited in soft contact lenses.
No, Cosdor is not addictive.
Do not stop using Cosdor suddenly unless your doctor tells you to stop. If you stop using your eye drops, your eye pressure may rise again and damage to your eye may occur.
Store in a cool dry place below 25°C, protected from light. Write the opening date on the bottle and discard after 4 weeks (28 days) of opening.
If you use too many drops or accidentally swallow any Cosdor, seek urgent medical attention. Contact the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately.
Wait at least 10 minutes after using Cosdor before putting any other eye drops in your eyes. Tell your doctor if you’re using other eye drops, especially other beta-blocker eye drops, as it’s not recommended to use two beta-blocker eye drops at the same time.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.