Dorzolamide vs. Cosopt for Glaucoma and Eye Pressure: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Dorzolamide

Cosopt

(dorzolamide / timolol)

Summary for Dorzolamide

Prescription only

Dorzolamide is an eye drop medication used to treat high pressure in the eye in people with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The dosage is 1 drop applied directly into the affected eye(s) three times per day. It's available as a generic only as the brand-name medication Trusopt has been discontinued. Dorzolamide is a sulfa medication, so it might not be the best choice if you have a serious sulfa allergy. Side effects include burning or stinging in the eye and a bitter taste in the mouth.

Indications for Dorzolamide

Treatment of high pressure in the eye in people with:

Pros and Cons for Dorzolamide

Pros

Doesn't typically cause side effects throughout the rest of your body
Can be combined with other medications
Safe to use in children

Cons

Needs to be used 3 times a day
Can cause eye irritation right after applying a drop
Not the best option if you're allergic to sulfa medications

Common Side Effects for Dorzolamide

Burning or stinging in the eye (33%)
Bitter taste (25%)
Bacterial eye infection (10-15%)
Allergic reaction in the eye (10%)

Warnings for Dorzolamide

Severe allergic reactions
Risk for eye infection (from contamination)
Risk for swelling of the cornea

Summary for Cosopt

Prescription only

Cosopt is a combination ophthalmic drop (eye drop) medication that contains dorzolamide (a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor) and timolol (a beta blocker). It's used to lower eye pressure for certain people with glaucoma or high eye pressure. Typically, one drop of Cosopt (dorzolamide / timolol) is placed into the affected eye(s) twice a day. Common side effects of this medication include changes in taste, blurry vision, and itchy eyes. Cosopt (dorzolamide / timolol) is available as both brand name and generic medications. It comes in a multi-dose bottle, as well as single-use, preservative-free vials.

Indications for Cosopt

To lower eye pressure in people with open-angle glaucoma or high eye pressure

Pros and Cons for Cosopt

Pros

Available in a preservative-free form if you're sensitive to the preservative, benzalkonium chloride
Available as a lower-cost generic medication
Combines two medications into one eye drop for convenience

Cons

Might not be safe if you're allergic to sulfa medications
Not safe for use in uncontrolled asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Needs to be used twice a day

Common Side Effects for Cosopt

Changes in taste (up to 30%)
Eye burning or stinging (up to 30%)
Blurry vision (5-15%)
Itchy eye (5-15%)
Corneal inflammation (5-15%)
Eye redness (5-15%)

Warnings for Cosopt

Risk of difficulty breathing
Heart failure
Severe allergic and skin reactions
Hiding symptoms of low blood sugar
Hiding symptoms of overactive thyroid
Greater risk during surgery
Cornea swelling
Eye inflammation and infection
Risk of muscle weakness

Prices with our coupons for Dorzolamide vs. Cosopt

Dorzolamide1 eye dropper / 10ml of 2%

$20.07-

Get free coupons

More Information

Dorzolamide/Timolol1 eye dropper / 10ml of 2%/0.5%

$16.23$36.58

Get free coupons

More Information

Browse medications by letter

Show All

Browse prescription and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.

Compare
Dorzolamide vs. Cosopt

Dorzolamide

Cosopt

Summary for Dorzolamide

Indications for Dorzolamide

Pros and Cons for Dorzolamide

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Dorzolamide

Warnings for Dorzolamide

Summary for Cosopt

Indications for Cosopt

Pros and Cons for Cosopt

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Cosopt

Warnings for Cosopt

Prices with our coupons for Dorzolamide vs. Cosopt

Browse medications by letter

Good news for your inbox

Dorzolamide

Cosopt

Summary for Dorzolamide

Indications for Dorzolamide

Pros and Cons for Dorzolamide

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Dorzolamide

Warnings for Dorzolamide

Summary for Cosopt

Indications for Cosopt

Pros and Cons for Cosopt

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Cosopt

Warnings for Cosopt