Dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic (for the eyes) is a combination medicine used to treat certain types of glaucoma and other causes of high pressure inside the eye.

Dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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

The combination of dorzolamide and timolol comes as a solution (liquid) to instill in the eye. It is usually instilled in the affected eye(s) twice a day. To help you remember to use dorzolamide and timolol, use it at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use dorzolamide and timolol exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Dorzolamide and timolol combination controls glaucoma and ocular hypertension but does not cure them. Continue to use dorzolamide and timolol even if you feel well. Do not stop using dorzolamide and timolol without talking to your doctor.

To instill the eye drops, follow these steps:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
2. Check the dropper tip to make sure that it is not chipped or cracked.
3. Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or anything else; eye drops and droppers must be kept clean.
4. While tilting your head back, pull down the lower lid of your eye with your index finger to form a pocket.
5. Hold the dropper (tip down) with the other hand, as close to the eye as possible without touching it.
6. Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your face.
7. While looking up, gently squeeze the dropper so that a single drop falls into the pocket made by the lower eyelid. Remove your index finger from the lower eyelid.
8. Close your eye for 2 to 3 minutes and tip your head down as though looking at the floor. Try not to blink or squeeze your eyelids.
9. Place a finger on the tear duct and apply gentle pressure.
10. Wipe any excess liquid from your face with a tissue.
11. If you are to use more than one drop in the same eye, wait at least 5 minutes before instilling the next drop.
12. Replace and tighten the cap on the dropper bottle. Do not wipe or rinse the dropper tip.
13. Wash your hands to remove any medication.

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.

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 disposition 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.

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

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

Certain symptoms may occur if dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic is absorbed into your bloodstream. This includes dizziness, muscle pain or weakness, numbness or tingling, trouble breathing, slow heartbeats, or fluttering in your chest.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

This medicine may cause blurred vision and may impair your reactions. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you.

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

Stop using dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic and get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, severe itching, dizziness, sweating, difficult 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 occur if the medicine is absorbed into your bloodstream.

This medicine can cause serious breathing problems or heart failure. Get medical help if you have:

• fast, slow or pounding heartbeats;

• wheezing;

• shortness of breath; or

• swelling in your lower legs, rapid weight gain.

Dorzolamide and timolol ophthalmic may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once 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. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.