Dortimopt Eye Drops

Dortimopt general information

What is Dortimopt used for?

Dortimopt Eye Drops are used to lower pressure within the eye caused by a build-up of fluid (aqueous humour).  This increased pressure, known as intraocular pressure (IOP), can cause glaucoma, which defines a group of eye disorders that affects the optic nerve, causing damage to the optic nerve fibres leading out of the back of the eye to the brain.  Damage to the optic nerve may lead to a gradual loss of sight, starting with peripheral vision and eventually leading to total blindness in that eye.  Dortimopt Eye Drops are used to treat glaucoma, including primary open angle glaucoma, the most common form of glaucoma, pseudoexfoliative glaucoma, where a build-up of protein clumps in the eye can block the drainage system, as well as some forms of secondary glaucoma, which is caused by another disease.  Dortimopt is also for ocular hypertension (increased IOC without ocular nerve damage) in people who do not have glaucoma.

How does Dortimopt work?

Dortimopt Eye Drops contains a combination of medications that work together to treat glaucoma and reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) by two different mechanisms.  Dorzolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, and timolol a non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor blocker that in its oral form is used to treat hypertension and prevent heart attack, however, in its ophthalmic form it is used to treat glaucoma.  The increase in IOP in the eye seen in glaucoma is caused by a build-up of the fluid which flows through the eye called aqueous humour, due to blockage in the draining system for the eye fluid.  The aqueous humour is produced continually by ciliary processes of the eye, as a result of filtration from the capillaries (small blood vessels) to maintain normal eye pressure.  Beta-adrenergic receptors are found in many different cells, including the ciliary processes and it is thought that timolol in Dortimopt Eye Drops binds to the beta receptors on the ciliary epithelium and blocks their action, which reduces aqueous humour production.  Carbonic anhydrase is an enzyme that is found in several tissues in the body, including the ciliary processes of the eye.  Dorzolamide in Dortim Eye Drops inhibits the action of carbonic anhydrase in the ciliary processes, which interferes with the formation of bicarbonate ions and ultimately with the filtration process, resulting in decreased secretion of aqueous humour into the eye.  The combined action of dorzolamide and timolol in Dortimopt Eye Drops help restore the balance in the flow of fluid into and out of the eye.  This reduces IOP, relieving pressure on the optic nerve and reducing the risk of damage to the optic nerve, which helps prevent loss of sight due to increased IOP if glaucoma progresses untreated.

What does Dortimopt contain?

Dortimopt Eye Drops contains the active ingredients dorzolamide hydrochloride 2% and timolol maleate 0.5% in combination to treat glaucoma. (Each ml of ophthalmic solution contains 20 mg of dorzolamide (22.26 mg dorzolamide hydrochloride) and 5 mg of timolol (6.83 mg of timolol maleate). They also contain sodium citrate, hydroxyethylcellulose, sodium hydroxide, mannitol, water for injection and benzalkonium chloride as a preservative.

Treating glaucoma with Dortimopt

Dortimopt Eye Drops contain dorzolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, and timolol a non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor blocker that are used in combination to treat glaucoma and reduce intraocular pressure (IOP).  The increase in IOP in the eye seen in glaucoma is caused by a build-up of the fluid which flows through the eye called aqueous humour, due to blockage in the draining system for the eye fluid.  The aqueous humour is produced continually by ciliary processes of the eye, as a result of filtration from the capillaries (small blood vessels) and is important for maintaining normal eye pressure and providing nutrients for the eye.  Increased IOP can cause damage to the optic nerve fibres that lead out of the back of the eye to the brain and may lead to gradual loss of sight, starting with peripheral vision and eventually to total blindness in that eye.  Beta-adrenergic receptors are found in many different cells, including the ciliary processes and it is thought that timolol in Dortimopt Eye Drops binds to the beta receptors on the ciliary epithelium and blocks their action, which reduces aqueous humour production.   Carbonic anhydrase is an enzyme that is found in several tissues in the body, including the ciliary processes of the eye.  Dorzolamide in Dortim Eye Drops inhibits the action of carbonic anhydrase in the ciliary processes, which interferes with the formation of bicarbonate ions and ultimately with the filtration process, resulting in decreased secretion of aqueous humour into the eye.  The combined action of dorzolamide and timolol in Dortimopt Eye Drops help restore the balance in the flow of fluid into and out of the eye.  This reduces IOP, relieving pressure on the optic nerve and reducing the risk of damage to the optic nerve, which helps prevent loss of sight due to increased IOP if glaucoma progresses untreated.

What are the side effects of Dortimopt?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Dortimopt Eye Drops include burning, stinging, itching eyes, conjunctivitis, watering of the eye, dry eyes, redness of the eye, swelling of the eyelid (blepharitis), eye pain, blurred vision, crusting of the eyelids, inflammation of the cornea (keratitis), nausea, diarrhoea bitter taste, headache, tiredness, dizziness weakness.  Other reported side effects include cardiovascular effects like change in heartbeat and palpitations.

When should Dortimopt not be used?

You should not use Dortimopt Eye Drops if you:

• are allergic to dorzolamide or any other sulphonamide, or any ingredients in Dortimopt
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• reactive airway disease, bronchial asthma or other obstructive lung disorders, such as (emphysema), or a history of bronchospasm
• have certain heart conditions, such as uncontrolled heart failure, cardiogenic shock or sick sinus syndrome
• have a very slow heart rate (severe bradycardia)
• are having surgery as timolol may affect anaesthesia
• have diabetes, without discussion with your doctor, as timolol can hide symptoms of low blood sugar
• are wearing contact lenses, you should remove your contacts and replace them after using
• are taking medicines that interact with Dortimopt Eye Drops, including: other beta-blockers, such as some medicines for high blood pressure or heart conditions, the antiarrhythmic quinidine, SSRI antidepressants, digoxin for heart failure, the antipsychotic and antihypertensive reserpine, calcium channel blockers like nifedipine and diltiazem, oral hypoglyaemics for diabetes

What medications interact with Dortimopt?

Several medications interact with Dortimopt Eye Drops and should either not be taken while you are taking Dortimopt or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Dortimopt: the antiarrhythmic quinidine, calcium channel blockers like nifedipine and diltiazem, digoxin for heart failure, the antipsychotic and antihypertensive reserpine, oral hypoglyaemics for diabetes
• Drugs that affect Dortimopt: SSRI antidepressants
• Drugs that are affected by Dortimopt: other beta-blockers, such as some medicines for high blood pressure or heart conditions

How should Dortimopt be used?

You should use your Dortimopt Eye Drops by applying one drop into the affected eye, twice daily, using the dropper provided and following the given instructions.  If you are wearing contact lenses, you should remove them before applying your Dortimopt Eye Drops and then replace them at least 15 minutes after applying your drops.  You should continue to use your Dortimopt Eye Drops daily for as long as recommended by your doctor, as they will help maintain normal eye pressure but will not cure glaucoma. 

How long should you take Dortimopt?

You should continue to use your Dortimopt Eye Drops daily for as long as recommended by your doctor, as they will help maintain normal eye pressure but will not cure glaucoma. 

Missed dose of Dortimopt

If you miss a dose of Dortimopt Eye Drops apply it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to apply the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not apply a double dose.

How should Dortimopt be stored?

You should store your Dortimopt Eye Drops below 25°C in a cool dry place.