Dorzolamide ophthalmic (for the eyes) is used to treat open-angle glaucoma and other causes of high pressure inside the eye.

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

Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

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 dorzolamide ophthalmic could permanently stain the lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes before inserting your contact lenses.

Wash your hands before using the eye drops.

To apply the eye drops: Pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket and squeeze a drop into this pocket. Close your eyes for 1 or 2 minutes.

Use only the prescribed number of drops.

Wait at least 10 minutes before using any other eye drops.

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

Do not use the eye drops if the liquid has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Store at room temperature, in an upright position and tightly closed. Do not freeze.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any eye injury, infection, or surgery. You may need to stop using dorzolamide ophthalmic for a short time.

Usual Adult Dose for Intraocular Hypertension:

One drop in the affected eye(s) three times a day

Comments:
-This drug may be used concomitantly with other topical ophthalmic drug products to lower intraocular pressure.
-If more than one topical ophthalmic drug is being used, the drugs should be administered at least 5 minutes apart.

Use: Treatment of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma

Usual Adult Dose for Glaucoma (Open Angle):

One drop in the affected eye(s) three times a day

Comments:
-This drug may be used concomitantly with other topical ophthalmic drug products to lower intraocular pressure.
-If more than one topical ophthalmic drug is being used, the drugs should be administered at least 5 minutes apart.

Use: Treatment of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma

Usual Pediatric Dose for Intraocular Hypertension:

Safety and effectiveness have been demonstrated in pediatric patients in a 3-month, multicenter, double-masked, active-treatment-controlled trial:
One drop in the affected eye(s) three times a day

Comments:
-This drug may be used concomitantly with other topical ophthalmic drug products to lower intraocular pressure.
-If more than one topical ophthalmic drug is being used, the drugs should be administered at least 5 minutes apart.

Use: Treatment of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma

Usual Pediatric Dose for Glaucoma (Open Angle):

Safety and effectiveness have been demonstrated in pediatric patients in a 3-month, multicenter, double-masked, active-treatment-controlled trial:
One drop in the affected eye(s) three times a day

Comments:
-This drug may be used concomitantly with other topical ophthalmic drug products to lower intraocular pressure.
-If more than one topical ophthalmic drug is being used, the drugs should be administered at least 5 minutes apart.

Use: Treatment of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma

You should not use dorzolamide ophthalmic if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a sulfa drug allergy;

• narrow-angle glaucoma;

• kidney disease; or

• liver disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

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.

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).

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

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.

dorzolamide ophthalmic 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.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, 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 can occur if dorzolamide ophthalmic is absorbed into your bloodstream.

This medicine may cause serious side effects. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• swelling or redness of your eyelids;

• sensitivity to light; or

• signs of eye infection--swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting or drainage.

Common side effects of dorzolamide ophthalmic may include:

• burning or stinging in your eye;

• mild eye discomfort; or

• a bitter taste in your mouth.

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.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially glaucoma medications taken by mouth.

Other drugs may affect dorzolamide ophthalmic, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Keep all appointments with your doctor. Your doctor will order certain eye tests to check your response to dorzolamide eye drops.

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.