Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Sandoz Dorzolamide.
Allergy: Dorzolamide belongs to the family of medications known as sulfonamides or "sulfas." The same type of allergic reaction can occur with Sandoz Dorzolamide as with other sulfonamides. People with allergies to sulfonamides should discuss with their doctor the risks and benefits of using Sandoz Dorzolamide. Stop using Sandoz Dorzolamide and contact your doctor if you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction (e.g., difficulty breathing, hives, skin rash, swelling of the mouth and throat).
Blurred vision: Side effects such as blurred vision may affect the ability to drive and operate machinery. Do not drive, operate machinery, or engage in any potentially hazardous activities until you determine how Sandoz Dorzolamide affects you.
Choroidal detachment: Anyone with chronic or recurrent choroidal detachment should talk to their doctor about further use of the eye drop.
Contact lenses: If you wear contact lenses, remove the lenses before using the eye drops and wait at least 15 minutes before re-inserting them.
Eye surgery, eye (corneal) defect, infections, trauma: Anyone using Sandoz Dorzolamide who has had eye surgery, pre-existing long-term eye (corneal) defect, trauma to the eye, or who has symptoms of an eye infection (e.g., eye redness, itchiness, discharge, crusts on the eyelids, or the feeling of something in the eye) should contact their doctor concerning further use of the eye drop.
General: As with other topically applied eye drops, Sandoz Dorzolamide may be absorbed into the bloodstream. The same side effects reported with oral medications such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., acetazolamide, Methazolamide) or sulfonamides (e.g., sulfamethoxazole) may occur with the eye drops. These side effects may include, but are not limited to, rash and nausea. Refer to the "What side effects are possible with Sandoz Dorzolamide?" section for more information.
Kidney Disease: If you have kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how Sandoz Dorzolamide may affect their medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Sandoz Dorzolamide, and whether any special monitoring is needed. People with severe kidney impairment should not use dorzolamide.
Liver disease: If you have liver disease, discuss with your doctor how Sandoz Dorzolamide may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Sandoz Dorzolamide, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Pregnancy: Sandoz Dorzolamide should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Sandoz Dorzolamide, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if dorzolamide passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Sandoz Dorzolamide, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Sandoz Dorzolamide have not been established for children.
