Dorzolamide

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Jan 09, 2023

Warnings

Dorzolamide Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Dorzolamide ophthalmic solution can cause serious problems in some people. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about other options to treat your condition if you are at increased risk of complications from dorzolamide. Some of the risks of dorzolamide use include:

ALLERGIC REACTIONS: Although dorzolamide is placed in the eye, there can be systemic exposure, i.e., some of the medicine can make its way into your bloodstream. This is a carbonic anhydrase II inhibitor and sulfa medication. It can cause allergic reactions if you have an allergy to other sulfa drugs, such as Bactrim. Talk to your healthcare provider about alternatives to dorzolamide if this is the case. Stop using dorzolamide and call your doctor right away if you develop a serious skin rash, stomach pain, unusual tiredness, or generally feeling unwell while using dorzolamide.
BACTERIAL INFECTIONS: If a bottle of dorzolamide gets contaminated, it can lead to a bacterial infection of the cornea called keratitis. The risk of this occurring is higher in people who have pre-existing corneal disease or an injury on the surface of the eye. Follow hygiene measures carefully while applying eye drops to reduce your risk of infections.
CORNEAL SWELLING: Dorzolamide can cause swelling of the cornea. Talk to your doctor about alternatives if you have been told you have a thin cornea or fewer than normal cells in your cornea.

Precautions Before Starting Dorzolamide

Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to dorzolamide, any of the active or inactive ingredients in dorzolamide eye drops, or any other drugs. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.

Give your doctor a complete medical history. Dorzolamide eye drops may not be right for people with certain health conditions, such as kidney disease.

Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, nonprescription medicines, other eye drops, aspirin containing products, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible drug interactions between dorzolamide and your other medicines.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, are planning a pregnancy, or are breast feeding.

Precautions During Use of Dorzolamide

Keep all your healthcare appointments while taking dorzolamide. Your doctor may want to adjust your dose and monitor you for any adverse reactions.

If you are using other eye drops, apply them at least 10 minutes away from dorzolamide.

If you wear soft contact lenses, remove them before applying dorzolamide ophthalmic solution. Wait at least 15 minutes before putting your contact lenses back in.

Side effects of dorzolamide such as blurred vision can affect your ability to drive and operate machinery. Do not drive, operate machinery, or engage in any other hazardous activities until you know how this medication affects you.

Tell your healthcare professional if you become pregnant while on dorzolamide.

Let your doctors know you are using dorzolamide before any surgery, including dental procedures.

If you have an eye infection or eye injury or undergo eye surgery, ask your healthcare professionals if you can continue using the same bottle of dorzolamide or if you should open a new bottle.

Dorzolamide Drug Interactions

Concomitant administration of dorzolamide eye drops with certain other medicines can affect how the medicines work. Possible drug interactions between dorzolamide and other medicines can also increase the risk of severe adverse events. Your doctor may change the dose of your medications or monitor you carefully for possible side effects if there are known interactions between dorzolamide and your other medicines.

The following medications can have interactions with dorzolamide:

Amantadine
Ephedrine
Pseudoephedrine
Other carbonic anhydrase inhibitors like acetazolamide and brinzolamide

The above list may not include all the possible interactions of dorzolamide. Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, non-prescription medicines, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare provider if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

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