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Dorzolamide

Cosopt pairs 2% dorzolamide with 0.5% timolol in eye drops to lower pressure in Open-angle Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension. It is the only dorzolamide product listed.

Cosopt

Open-angle Glaucoma, Ocular Hypertension

2% + 0.5%

Dorzolamide and timolol eye drops for glaucoma and ocular hypertension. They combine two ways of lowering eye pressure.

From$32.33/ bottleView

Key points

  • Dorzolamide is a sulfonamide, and although it is applied to the eye, it is absorbed into the body, so severe sulfonamide reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome can occur, though rarely.
  • Dorzolamide and its metabolite are cleared mainly by the kidneys, so the drops are not recommended for people with severe kidney impairment.
  • Cosopt is indicated for people whose eye pressure is not adequately controlled by a beta-blocker alone.

How does Dorzolamide work?

Dorzolamide hydrochloride blocks an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase II in the ciliary body, the part of the eye that produces its internal fluid. With less of that enzyme working, the eye makes less fluid, and the pressure inside drops.

Elevated pressure inside the eye is the main risk factor for optic nerve damage and the loss of side vision in glaucoma. In the Eye Care range, the two active ingredients in Cosopt lower that pressure through separate pathways.

Further reading