General Information on DuoTrav Eye Drops
DuoTrav Eye Drops are used in the treatment of open angle glaucoma. The generic name of this drug is Travoprost - Timolol Eye Drops. As it is a prescription drug, you can buy DuoTrav Eye Drops only if your doctor has prescribed the drug for your treatment.
DuoTrav Eye Drops includes two active ingredients, timolol maleate and travoprost. Both these active ingredients reduce abnormally high pressure within the eye. The working mechanism of these two ingredients, however, is different, even though their combined strength is far more effective against open angle glaucoma.
Aqueous humour, a thick naturally-occurring liquid, maintains pressure within the eye. When the production of this liquid is above normal or when the flow of this liquid is curbed, the pressure within the eye increases. Prostaglandins, a naturally occurring chemical, plays an important role in draining aqueous humour from the eye. Travoprost is a prostaglandin analogue, that is, it mimics the action of Prostaglandins and helps remove excess aqueous humour from the eye. This, in turn, reduces the pressure within the eye.
Timolol, a beta-blocker, reduces the production of aqueous humour. It achieves this by blocking the activity of certain chemicals that play an important role in the production of aqueous humour.
In addition to the two aforementioned ingredients, DuoTrav Eye Drops also contain the following excipients: polyquaternium-1, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil 40, sodium chloride, boric acid, mannitol, purified water, propylene glycol, and hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide for maintaining pH.
Side effects of DuoTrav Eye Drops
DuoTrav Eye Drops may cause the following side effects:
- Eye pain
- Eye swelling
- Red eye
- Lengthening, darkening, and thickening of the eyelashes
- Headache
- Dry eyes
- Nervousness
- Dizziness
- Irregular heartbeat
- Skin rashes
- Shortness of breath
- Photophobia
The above list does not include all the possible side effects of this drug. To know more, consult your doctor about the same or refer to the patient information leaflet that you receive when you buy DuoTrav Eye Drops.
Do not use DuoTrav Eye Drops if you have or ever had any of the following:
- Uncontrolled heart failure
- Asthma
- Severe allergic rhinitis
- Hypersensitivity to timolol or travoprost
- Sinus bradycardia
- Corneal dystrophy
- 2nd or 3rd degree heart block
Pregnant and lactating women should always consult their doctor before using DuoTrav Eye Drops.
Dosage of DuoTrav Eye Drops
DuoTrav Eye Drops are meant for ophthalmic use only. The drug is available in one strength: DuoTrav Eye Drops 0.04mg/5mg/ml. This basically means that each ml of this ophthalmic solution contains 0.04mg of travoprost and 5mg of timolol.
The recommended dosage of DuoTrav Eye Drops is 1 drop in the eye(s) daily in the morning. For best results, use the drug exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
Interactions
Certain medications such as digoxin, other beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and antiarrhythmic drugs may increase the risk of certain side effects of DuoTrav Eye Drops or reduce its efficacy. Before you start treatment, inform your doctor about all the other drugs that you are taking. This includes all herbal and over the counter drugs.
