Dorzolamide is used on its own or together with other medicines to treat increased pressure in the eye.
Instil Dorzolamide eye drop solution in the affected eye(s) exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not use more or less than instructed by your doctor.
To use the eye drop solution, follow these steps:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before using the eye drops.
- Tilt your head slightly backwards. With the index finger, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Look upward and instil the required number of drops inside the lower eyelid.
- Close your eye and do not blink for the next few seconds. Using your index finger, gently press the inner corner of your eye by the nose for 2 minutes. This may help prevent the absorption of Dorzolamide into other parts of the body.
- Wipe any excess liquid from your face with a clean tissue.
- Replace and tighten the cap of the bottle.
Do not allow the tip of the dropper of this medicine to touch your eyes, eyelids, or any other surface. Recap the eye drop immediately after use. If the eye drop becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in your eyes.
If you have been given any other eye drops or medicines to be used together with Dorzolamide, wait for at least 10 minutes before using the other medicine.
Do not share your eye drops with anyone else.
Some brands of Dorzolamide contain benzalkonium chloride as a preservative. This may discolour soft contact lenses and cause eye irritation. If you are wearing contact lenses, you should remove them before instilling the eye drops. Wait for at least 15 minutes before reinserting your lenses.
Instil the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose to make up for a missed dose.
If you often forget to instil your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- hyperchloraemic acidosis (low bicarbonate and high chloride concentration in the blood)
- severe kidney disease
as Dorzolamide may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history of kidney stones
- eye problems
- history of eye surgery
- liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
For as long as you are using Dorzolamide, you may need to have regular eye tests to check your body's response to the medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
Dorzolamide may cause dizziness or vision problems. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.
Other side effects include any of the following: eye itching, burning or stinging sensation, tiredness, headache, nausea, and bitter taste.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark-coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
- eye pain, sudden vision loss, sensitivity to light
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other medicines for increased pressure in the eye e.g. acetazolamide, brinzolamide
- aspirin (medicine for pain and inflammation or blood-thinning medicine)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Dorzolamide.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Protect from light.
Throw away any remaining eye drops 28 days after opening. Mark the date of opening on the eye drop bottle so that you know when to discard it.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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