DuoTrav Description

DuoTrav contains two different medications that work in tandem to reduce pressure inside the eye for those with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, which can lead to glaucoma and possible vision loss. Your doctor or ophthalmologist may recommend a prescription for DuoTrav if you are not responding favorably to a single medication to lower the ocular pressure.

How the Active Ingredients Work to Lower IOP

Travoprost is a prostaglandin analogue that works by imitating the action of your own naturally-occurring prostaglandins to help boost their ability to drain away the fluid inside your eyeball, called aqueous humor. Timolol is a beta blocker that reduces the production of aqueous humor in your eyeball. These actions together will lower your intra-ocular pressure (IOP)to prevent impaired vision.

Conditions Treated by DuoTrav

Vision loss can be devastating, which is why it’s so important to visit an ophthalmologist for regular sight testing, especially as you age. There is a continuous flow of liquid through your eyeball called aqueous humor that maintains an even pressure. If there is a blockage in the outflow of aqueous humor, your eyeball will build up pressure inside and possibly impair your vision or damage your optic nerve causing glaucoma and permanent damage.

Ocular hypertension can lead to open-angle glaucoma unless it is diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. As pressure builds in your eye, the optic nerve can sustain permanent damage from the pressure, causing the loss of your peripheral vision and, eventually, your central vision.

Unfortunately, there are no noticeable symptoms of what is going on unless it is detected during an eye exam. Once you have glaucoma, the damage is permanent and medication or surgery may be your only option to preserve what sight you do have. DuoTrav is not a cure for glaucoma, but it can help reduce the intra-ocular pressure and stop any further damage. DuoTrav is not available in the United States.

Before You Use DuoTrav

Before using DuoTrav, talk to your doctor about other medical conditions or allergies you have that could be affected by its ingredients. List any OTC or Rx medication you are taking, including herbal, dietary, and vitamin supplements. Ask your doctor if it is safe to use DuoTrav if you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are nursing an infant to avoid possible harm to the baby.

Regarding the Use of DuoTrav

DuoTrav is absorbed into your bloodstream and could react negatively to some drugs. If you are scheduled for any dental or surgical procedures, inform the medical staff that you are using DuoTrav as it could change how the anesthetic affects you. Keep all medicine in a secure location so children do not have access to it and never share your meds with anyone else.

Possible Side Effects of DuoTrav

• Blurry vision
• Light sensitivity
• Headache
• Burning/stinging sensation
• Dry/irritated eyes
• Color change to your iris/eyelashes

Drugs Similar to DuoTrav

• Xalatan Eye Drops
• Ganfort
• Cosopt