2. What should I know before I use COSDOR?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to COSDOR or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
are pregnant or breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed. For more information, see Section
2. What should I know before I use COSDOR? in the full CMI.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use COSDOR?
Your doctor will tell you how many drops you need to use each day. The usual dose
for adults is one drop of COSDOR twice a day, in either one or both eyes.
Remove soft contact lenses before using the eye drops and wait 15 minutes before putting
them back in. Tilt your head back, pull down the lower eyelid, look up, and squeeze
one drop into the eye. Release the eyelid, close the eye without blinking, and press
the inner corner against your nose for about two minutes.
After using COSDOR, wait at least 10 minutes before putting any other eye drops in
your eye(s). More instructions can be found in Section
4. How do I use COSDOR? in the full CMI.
5. What should I know while using COSDOR?
|
Things you must do
|
Tell your doctor, or pharmacist that you visit that you are using COSDOR.
To make sure COSDOR is working properly, have your eye pressure checked regularly.
Tell your doctor if you develop an eye infection, receive an eye injury, or have eye
surgery.
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while using COSDOR.
|
|
Things you must not do
|
Do not give COSDOR to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you or
their symptoms seem similar.
Do not stop using your eye drops without first talking to your doctor, your eye pressure
may rise again and damage to your eye may occur.
|
|
Driving or using machines
|
COSDOR may cause blurred vision or dizziness in some people. Make sure you know how
you react to COSDOR and that your vision is clear before driving a car or operating
machinery.
|
|
Looking after your medicine
|
Store your COSDOR eye drops in a cool dry place below 25°C and protected from light.
Write the date you open the bottle on the carton and throw out any remaining solution
after 4 weeks (28 days).
|
6. Are there any side effects?
Common side effects: dry, itchy, burning, or stinging eyes, feeling like there is something in the eye,
blurred vision, watery eyes, discharge from the eyes, conjunctivitis.
Serious side effects: fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, lightheadedness/dizziness, slow pulse, chest pain,
skin rash, pinkish itchy rash, swelling on face/lips/throat/tongue which may cause
difficulty breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath, swelling of hands/feet/ankles.
For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section
6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
Active ingredient(s):
dorzolamide hydrochloride/timolol maleate
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using COSDOR. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you
have any concerns or questions about using COSDOR.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using COSDOR?
COSDOR is used to lower raised pressure in the eye and to treat ocular hypertension
or open-angle glaucoma. Although COSDOR helps control your glaucoma, it does not cure it.
COSDOR contains two active ingredients: dorzolamide hydrochloride and timolol maleate. Dorzolamide hydrochloride belongs to a family of medicines called carbonic anhydrase
inhibitors. Timolol maleate belongs to a family of medicines called beta-blockers.
Both of these active ingredients lower pressure in the eye by reducing the production
of fluid, but they do this in different ways.
Glaucoma is usually caused by a build-up of the fluid which flows through the eye.
This build up occurs because the fluid drains out of your eye more slowly than it
is being pumped in, and causes pressure to rise. The raised pressure may damage the
back of the eye resulting in gradual loss of sight. Damage can progress so slowly
that the person is not aware of this gradual loss of sight.
There are usually no symptoms of glaucoma. The only way of knowing that you have glaucoma
is to have your eye pressure, optic nerve and visual field checked by an eye specialist
or optometrist. If glaucoma is not treated it can lead to serious problems. You may
have no symptoms but eventually glaucoma can lead to total blindness. Untreated glaucoma
is one of the most common causes of blindness.
For more information about glaucoma, contact Glaucoma Australia, PO Box 420, Crows
Nest NSW 1585, telephone 1800 500 880.
COSDOR is not addictive.
2. What should I know before I use COSDOR?
Warnings
Do not use COSDOR if:
you are allergic to dorzolamide hydrochloride or timolol maleate, or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of this leaflet. Always check the ingredients to make sure you can
use COSDOR.
the seal around the cap is broken.
the bottle shows signs of tampering.
the expiry date on the pack has passed. If you use COSDOR after the expiry date has
passed, it may not work.
you have now or have had in the past certain serious breathing problem such as asthma,
chronic obstructive lung disease (emphysema), or other breathing problems.
you have certain heart conditions, such as slow heart rate, an irregular heartbeat, or heart failure.
you have severe kidney disease or problems, or a prior history of kidney stones.
you have excess acidity of the blood caused by a build up of chloride in the blood
(hyperchloraemic acidosis).
Check with your doctor before using COSDOR if you:
take any medicines for any other condition.
have poor blood circulation problems (such as Raynaud's syndrome).
have muscle weakness or been diagnosed as having myasthenia gravis.
have diabetes or other blood sugar problems.
have liver or kidney disease.
have a history of allergic problems including eczema, hives or hay fever.
have had an allergy to any other medicines or other substances such as foods, preservatives
or dyes.
are going to have an operation, that you are using COSDOR, as it may change the effects
of some medicines during anaesthesia.
have heart problems (such as coronary heart disease or low blood pressure).
have any eye conditions including dry eyes. The preservative (benzalkonium chloride)
in COSDOR may cause eye irritation, dry eye symptoms, and may affect some structures
in the eye.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above or you are not sure whether
you should start using COSDOR, check with your doctor.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefits of using COSDOR during pregnancy
and a decision can be made if you should or should not use it.
Do not use COSDOR if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Your baby may absorb COSDOR from breast milk and therefore there is a possibility
of harm to the baby.
Use in children
There is limited experience with COSDOR in children.
Allergy to sulfonamide medicines
One of the active ingredients of COSDOR, dorzolamide hydrochloride, is a sulfonamide-related
compound. Therefore, if you are allergic to sulfonamide medicines you may be allergic
to COSDOR. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure whether you are
allergic to sulfonamides.
Use with other eye drops
Tell your doctor if you are already using another beta blocker eye drop.
It is not recommended to use two beta-blocker eye drops at the same time.
After using COSDOR, wait at least 10 minutes before putting any other eye drops in
your eye(s).
Use with contact lenses
Remove contact lenses before putting the COSDOR drops in your eye(s). The preservative (benzalkonium chloride) in COSDOR may be deposited in soft contact
lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using COSDOR before replacing your contact lenses.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may be affected by COSDOR or may affect how well it works. You may
need different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines.
These include:
medicines for high blood pressure or heart conditions, including a group of medicines
called beta-blockers
quinidine, a medicine used to treat irregular heart beats
medicines to treat diabetes
tablets used to treat glaucoma
large amounts of aspirin or salicylates
medicines to treat depression
medicines to treat pain or severe cancer pain, such as opioids and morphine.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect COSDOR.
4. How do I use COSDOR?
How much to use
Your doctor will tell you how many drops you need to use each day.
The usual dose for adults is one drop of COSDOR twice a day, in either one or both
eyes.
Use COSDOR only when prescribed by your doctor.
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor carefully. They may differ from
the information contained in this leaflet.
COSDOR helps control your condition but does not cure it. Therefore, COSDOR must be
used every day. Use COSDOR until your doctor tells you to stop.
When to use COSDOR
COSDOR should be used every day, at about the same time each day, unless your doctor
tells you otherwise.
Using your eye drops at the same time each day will have the best effect on your eye
pressure. It will also help you remember when to use the eye drops.
How to insert COSDOR drops
You may find it easier to put drops in your eyes while you are sitting or lying down.
If you are wearing soft contact lenses, remove them before putting the drops in your
eye.
Before opening the bottle for the first time, make sure the Safety Strip on the front
of the bottle is not broken. If it is, do not use the bottle and return it to your
pharmacist.
You will notice a small space between the cap and the bottle - this is normal.
Instructions:
1. Wash your hands well with soap and water.
2. To open the bottle for the first time, tear off the Safety Strip to break the seal.
The hold the bottle upright and turn the cap in the direction of the arrows until
you can lift it off.
3. Place the cap upside down (arrows face down) on a flat surface. Do not touch the inside
of the cap. This will help keep the inside of the cap clean and keep germs out of
the eye drops.
4. Hold the bottle upside down in one hand, with your thumb or index finger over the
“finger push” area.
5. Using your other hand, gently pull down your lower eyelid to form a pouch.
6. Tilt your head back and look up.
7. Put the tip of the bottle close to your lower eyelid. Do not let it touch your eye.
8. Release one drop into the pouch formed between your eye and eyelid by gently squeezing
the bottle.
9. Close your eye and keep it closed. Do not blink or rub your eye.
10. While your eye is still closed, placed your index finger against the inside corner
of your eye and press against the nose for about two (2) minutes. This will help to
stop the medicine from draining through the tear duct to the nose and throat, from
where it can be absorbed into other parts of your body. Ask your doctor for more specific
instructions on this technique.
11. Replace the cap, sealing it tightly. Do not overtighten the cap.
12. Wash your hands again with soap and water to remove any residue.
After using COSDOR, wait at least 15 minutes before replacing your contact lenses.
Be careful not to touch the dropper tip against your eye, eyelid or anything else
to avoid contaminating the eye drops.
Contaminated eye drops may give you an eye infection.
You may feel a slight burning sensation in the eye after using the eye drops.
If this persists or is very uncomfortable, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
If you forget to use COSDOR
COSDOR should be used regularly at the same time each day.
If you miss your dose at the usual time and it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the dose you missed and have your next dose when you are meant to.
Otherwise, use the drops as soon as you remember, and then go back to using them as
you would normally.
If you are not sure whether to skip your dose or not, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not use double the amount to make up for the dose you missed.
If you have trouble remembering to use your eye drops, ask your pharmacist for some
hints.
If you use too much COSDOR
If you think that you or anyone else has swallowed any or all of the contents of a
bottle of COSDOR, or have used too many drops, then you or the other person may need
urgent medical attention.
You must immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(Australia telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
If COSDOR is accidentally swallowed, or if you use too many drops, you may feel drowsy,
light-headed or dizzy, nauseous, you may faint, have a very slow pulse rate or have
wheezing or difficulty breathing.
5. What should I know while using COSDOR?
Things you must do
Have your eye pressure checked when your eye specialist says, to make sure that COSDOR
is working.
Call your doctor straight away if you:
develop an eye infection, injure your eye or have eye surgery.
Your doctor may tell you to use a new bottle of COSDOR because of possible contamination
of the old one, or may advise you to stop your treatment with COSDOR.
become pregnant while using COSDOR.
Tell any doctor and pharmacist you visit that you are using COSDOR.
Things you must not do
Do not give COSDOR to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you or
their symptoms seem similar.
Do not stop using COSDOR suddenly unless your doctor tells you to stop.
If you stop using your eye drops, your eye pressure may rise again and damage to your
eye(s) may occur.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how COSDOR
affects you.
COSDOR generally does not cause any problems with your ability to drive or operate
machinery. However, COSDOR may cause blurred vision or dizziness in some people. Make
sure that you know how you react to COSDOR or that your vision is clear before driving
a car or operating machinery.
Looking after your eye drops
Follow the instructions on the pack on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store your COSDOR eye drops in a cool dry place below 25°C and protected from light.
Do not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on window sills, or
in the pockets of your clothes.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
Do not leave the cap off the bottle for any length of time to avoid contaminating
the eye drops.
When to dispose of your eye drops
Dispose of COSDOR four weeks after opening.
Write the date on the bottle when you open the eye drops, and throw out any remaining
solution after four weeks (28 days).
The preservative in the drops helps prevent germs from growing in the solution for
4 weeks after opening. After this, there is a greater risk that the drops may become
contaminated and cause an eye infection. A new bottle should be opened.
If you no longer need to use it.
After the expiry date (if unopened) or four weeks after opening.
The tamper evident seal has been damaged when you receive it.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
Take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
|
Less serious side effects
|
What to do
|
|
Eye-related:
blurred vision, double vision or other visual problems
allergic reactions including redness, swelling and/or itching of the eye
burning and stinging of the eyes, eye pain
watery or discharge from eyes
conjunctivitis
irritation or feeling of having something in the eye, dry eyes
swelling of the eyelids, drooping of the eyelids
Difficulty thinking or working because of:
headache
tiredness, weakness
ringing or buzzing in the ears
difficulty sleeping, nightmares
changes in mood such as depression, memory loss
Mouth or stomach problems:
feeling sick (nausea), upset stomach, stomach pain
diarrhoea
bitter or abnormal taste, dry mouth
Respiratory problems:
cough
sore throat or discomfort when swallowing
cold or flu-like symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, cough, red or infected throat
feeling of tension or fullness in the nose, cheeks and behind your eyes, sometimes
with a throbbing ache also called sinusitis
Changes to the way your hands and feet feel such as:
cold hands or feet
numbness, tingling or colour change (white, blue then red) in fingers when exposed
to the cold (Raynaud's Phenomenon)
numbness or tingling in the fingers or toes
Other effects:
symptoms of a urinary tract infection including an urge to urinate frequently and
in small amounts, or painful burning when passing urine
back pain
nose bleeds
hair loss or thinning
less desire for sex
|
Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects.
These more common side effects are usually mild and short-lived.
|
Serious side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
COSDOR is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What COSDOR contains
|
Active ingredients
(main ingredients)
|
Dorzolamide hydrochloride equivalent to dorzolamide
2% w/v
Timolol maleate equivalent to timolol 0.5% w/v
|
|
Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
|
sodium citrate dihydrate
hyetellose
sodium hydroxide
mannitol
water for injections
benzalkonium chloride as preservative
|
|
Potential allergens
|
benzalkonium chloride
|
Do not use COSDOR if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What COSDOR looks like
COSDOR comes as eye drops in a 5 mL bottle with a clear, slightly viscous, colourless
liquid (AUST R 217250).
Sponsor
Viatris Pty Ltd
Level 1, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
Phone: 1800 274 276
This leaflet was prepared in December 2025.
COSDOR_cmi\Dec25/00