Cosopt 2%/0.5% Eye Drops 5ml is a prescription ophthalmic solution used in the UAE to lower raised pressure inside the eye. Each 5ml bottle combines two active ingredients, dorzolamide hydrochloride 2% and timolol maleate 0.5%, in a single sterile drop. It is prescribed for adults with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension when a beta-blocker alone has not lowered eye pressure enough. Cosopt is a prescription-only medicine and must be used under an eye specialist's supervision.

How It Works

Raised intraocular pressure can gradually damage the optic nerve and lead to permanent vision loss, often before any symptoms appear. Cosopt lowers that pressure using two complementary mechanisms. Dorzolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, reduces the amount of aqueous fluid the eye produces. Timolol, a beta-blocker, also reduces fluid production. Together they lower eye pressure more than either ingredient does alone.

Important Information

Cosopt is a prescription-only medicine, so consult your doctor or ophthalmologist before use.

• Not suitable for anyone with asthma, a history of asthma, severe COPD, sinus bradycardia, second or third degree AV block, overt heart failure, or cardiogenic shock.• Not recommended in severe kidney impairment, or for anyone allergic to sulphonamides or any ingredient.

• Tell your doctor about heart, breathing, kidney, liver, thyroid, diabetes, or myasthenia gravis conditions, and about all other medicines.

• Common effects include burning or stinging on instillation, a bitter taste, blurred vision, and eye redness.

Seek urgent medical advice for breathing difficulty, a slow or irregular heartbeat, fainting, or a severe skin reaction. Store as directed on the pack and follow your pharmacist's advice on how long to use it after opening.

Cosopt delivers two active ingredients in one bottle, which means fewer separate drops in a daily routine.

• Dorzolamide hydrochloride 2% - carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (a sulphonamide)

• Timolol maleate 0.5% - nonselective beta-blocker

• Presentation: 5ml sterile ophthalmic solution

• Manufacturer: Merck Sharp and Dohme B.V.

• Indication: open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension

Because timolol is a beta-blocker and dorzolamide is a sulphonamide, both can be absorbed into the bloodstream, which is why medical supervision matters.

Always follow the dosing your ophthalmologist gives you. The usual adult instruction for Cosopt is:

1. Instil one drop into the affected eye twice daily.

2. Wash your hands and avoid touching the dropper tip to your eye or any surface.

3. If you use other eye drops, leave at least 5 minutes between products.

4. If you wear soft contact lenses, remove them before instilling and wait 15 minutes before reinserting.

Do not stop treatment on your own, even if your eyes feel fine.