Dorzolamide / Timolol Ophthalmic Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 9, 2025.

Applies to dorzolamide/timolol ophthalmic: ophthalmic solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check the progress of you or your child at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

If itching, redness, swelling, or other signs of eye or eyelid irritation occur, stop using this medicine and check with your doctor. These signs may mean that you or your child are allergic to this medicine.

This medicine may cause heart failure in some patients. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child are having chest pain or discomfort; dilated neck veins; extreme fatigue; irregular breathing; an irregular heartbeat; shortness of breath; swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs; weight gain; or wheezing.

Serious allergic reactions may occur while using this medicine. Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you or your child have any of the following symptoms: black, tarry stools; blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin; chills; dark urine; joint or muscle pain; rash; red skin lesions, often with a purple center; sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness; or yellow eyes or skin.

This medicine may cause changes in your blood sugar levels. Also, this medicine may cover up signs of low blood sugar, such as a rapid pulse rate. Check with your doctor if you or your child have these problems or if you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests.

Before you have any kind of surgery, dental treatment, or emergency treatment, tell the medical doctor or dentist in charge that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery or medical tests.

It is very important that you check with your doctor if you get an injury or infection in your eye or if you are scheduled to have eye surgery. Your doctor will tell you whether to keep using the same container of eye drops or whether you should start using a fresh bottle of eye drops.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, dorzolamide/timolol 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 / timolol ophthalmic:

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

Symptoms of overdose

• confusion
• 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 / timolol 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:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to dorzolamide / timolol ophthalmic: ophthalmic solution.

General adverse events

The most common side effects have included taste perversion and ocular burning and stinging (up to 30%). Topically applied timolol ophthalmic drops may be absorbed systemically and side effects similar to systemically administered timolol or other beta-blockers such as severe respiratory or cardiac reactions may be experienced.^[Ref]

Ocular

• Very common (10% or more): Burning/stinging
• Common (1% to 10%): Conjunctival infection, blurred vision, corneal erosion, ocular itching, tearing
• Frequency not reported: Choroidal detachment following filtration surgery, iridocyclitis, eyelid crusting, signs and symptoms of ocular allergic reaction, transient myopia, photophobia

Dorzolamide:

• Common (1% to 10%): Eyelid inflammation, eyelid irritation
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Iridocyclitis
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Irritation (including redness, pain, eyelid crusting, transient myopia), corneal edema, ocular hypotony, choroidal detachment (following filtration surgery)

Timolol:

• Common (1% to 10%): Signs and symptoms of ocular irritation (including blepharitis, keratitis, decreased corneal sensitivity, dry eyes)
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Visual disturbances (including refractive changes)
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Ptosis, diplopia, choroidal detachment following filtration surgery
• Frequency not reported: Itching, tearing, redness, blurred vision, corneal erosion^[Ref]

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included bronchitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, cough, and upper respiratory tract infection in 1% to 5% of patients. Dyspnea, nasal congestion, and respiratory failure have been reported in less than 1% of patients.

Respiratory side effects associated with timolol ocular have included pulmonary edema, respiratory failure, dyspnea, nasal congestion, cough, and upper respiratory infections.

Respiratory side effects associated with timolol, as with other beta-antagonists, have included bronchial constriction in susceptible patients. Alternative therapy should be considered in patients with reactive airways disease. Cases of fatal respiratory arrest have been reported in patients with asthma, even after topically-administered timolol.

Respiratory side effects associated with oral timolol or other oral beta-blockers have included laryngospasm with respiratory distress, rales and bronchial obstruction.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Frequency not reported: Bradycardia, cardiac failure, chest pain, heart block, hypotension, myocardial infarction

Timolol:

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bradycardia
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Chest pain, palpitation, arrhythmia, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrest, heart block, hypotension, claudication, Raynaud's phenomenon, cold hands/feet
• Frequency not reported: Atrioventricular block, cardiac failure^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Dysgeusia
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Tinnitus
• Frequency not reported: Cerebral vascular accident, paresthesia

Dorzolamide:

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Dizziness, paresthesia

Timolol:

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dizziness, syncope
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Paresthesia, increase in signs and symptoms of myasthenia gravis, cerebrovascular accident, cerebral ischemia^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Contact dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis

Dorzolamide:

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Rash

Timolol:

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Alopecia, psoriasiform rash or exacerbation of psoriasis
• Frequency not reported: Skin rash^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Depression
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Depression
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Insomnia, nightmares, memory loss
• Frequency not reported: Hallucinations, anxiety^[Ref]

Timolol

Gastrointestinal

• Frequency not reported: Diarrhea, dry mouth

Dorzolamide:

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Throat irritation, dry mouth

Timolol:

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nausea, dyspepsia
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Diarrhea, dry mouth
• Frequency not reported: Dysgeusia, abdominal pain, vomiting^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Timolol:

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Decreased libido, Peyronie's disease
• Frequency not reported: Sexual dysfunction, retroperitoneal fibrosis, impotence^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Signs and symptoms of systemic allergic reactions, (including angioedema, urticaria, pruritus, rash, anaphylaxis)

Timolol:

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Signs and symptoms of systemic allergic reactions, (including angioedema, urticaria, pruritus, localized and generalized rash, anaphylaxis), systemic lupus erythematosus^[Ref]

Other

Dorzolamide:

• Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, fatigue

Timolol:

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Edema, asthenia, fatigue^[Ref]

Metabolic

Timolol:

• Frequency not reported: Hypoglycemia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Timolol:

• Frequency not reported: Myalgia^[Ref]

Renal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urolithiasis^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Dorzolamide/timolol ophthalmic side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer