Dorzolamide ophthalmic Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 24, 2023.

Applies to dorzolamide ophthalmic: ophthalmic solution.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, dorzolamide ophthalmic may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking dorzolamide ophthalmic:

More common

• Burning, stinging, or discomfort when medicine is applied
• itching, redness, swelling, or other sign of the eye or eyelid irritation

Less common

• Burning, dry, or itching eyes
• discharge from the eye
• excessive tearing
• redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid

Rare

• Blood in the urine
• blurred vision
• nausea or vomiting
• pain in the side, back, or abdomen
• skin rash
• tearing

Incidence not known

• Blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
• change in vision
• chills
• cough
• diarrhea
• difficult or labored breathing
• flashes of light
• floaters in vision
• hives or welts
• itching skin
• joint or muscle pain
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• noisy breathing
• redness of the skin
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• tightness in the chest
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking dorzolamide ophthalmic:

Symptoms of overdose

• Confusion
• irregular heartbeat
• muscle cramps or pain
• numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands or feet
• seizures
• trembling
• weakness and heaviness of the legs

Other side effects

Some side effects of dorzolamide ophthalmic may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Bitter taste
• feeling of something in the eye

Less common

• Changes in color vision
• difficulty seeing at night
• dryness of the eyes
• eyelid reactions
• headache
• increased sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight

Incidence not known

• Bloody nose
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• change in distance vision
• difficulty in focusing the eyes
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• eyelid crusting
• lack or loss of strength
• scaling of the skin
• severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to dorzolamide ophthalmic: ophthalmic solution.

General

The most commonly reported side effects were ocular burning, stinging, or discomfort, and bitter taste.^[Ref]

Ocular

Very common (10% or more): Superficial punctate keratitis (up to 15%), burning/stinging

Common (1% to 10%): Tearing, conjunctivitis, eyelid inflammation, eye itching, eyelid irritation, blurred vision

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Iridocyclitis

Rare (less than 0.1%): Irritation, pain, eyelid crusting, transient myopia, corneal edema, ocular hypotony, choroidal detachment following filtration surgery^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Very common (10% or more): Ocular allergic reaction (10%)

Rare (less than 0.1%): Signs and symptoms of local reactions (palpebral reactions) and systemic allergic reactions including angioedema, urticaria, pruritus, rash, shortness of breath, bronchospasm^[Ref]

Renal

Rare (less than 0.1%): Urolithiasis^[Ref]

Respiratory

Rare (less than 0.1%): Epistaxis

Frequency not reported: Dyspnea^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Contact dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis

Rare (less than 0.1%): Skin rash^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Biter taste (up to 25%)

Frequency not reported: Headache^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Nausea

Rare (less than 0.1%): Throat irritation, dry mouth^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia/fatigue^[Ref]

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer