A clinical briefing for ophthalmologists and prescribers on Cosopt (Dorzolamide/Timolol) availability, shortage history, and patient access strategies in 2026.
Dorzolamide/Timolol — marketed as Cosopt and available as a widely-prescribed generic — remains a cornerstone of combination therapy for open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. However, intermittent supply disruptions have created challenges for both providers and patients over the past several years.
This briefing summarizes the current supply landscape, relevant prescribing considerations, and practical tools to help your patients maintain access to treatment.
Cosopt and generic Dorzolamide/Timolol have experienced multiple supply disruptions:
The intermittent nature of Cosopt supply disruptions has several clinical implications:
Patients who cannot fill their Cosopt prescription may go days or weeks without IOP-lowering therapy. Given that glaucomatous damage is irreversible, even brief treatment gaps carry risk — particularly in patients with advanced disease or pressure-dependent progression.
Many patients don't inform their provider when they can't fill a prescription. They may assume the problem is temporary or attempt to ration remaining drops. Proactively asking about refill difficulties during appointments can identify at-risk patients before damage occurs.
When Cosopt is unavailable, common substitution strategies include:
As of early 2026, the availability landscape for Dorzolamide/Timolol includes:
Affordability directly impacts adherence in glaucoma — a chronic condition requiring lifelong therapy:
For patients facing cost barriers, the Merck Patient Assistance Program ((800) 727-5400) may provide brand Cosopt at no cost for qualifying uninsured patients. Additional resources include NeedyMeds and the Prevent Blindness glaucoma financial assistance program.
Several tools can help your practice manage Cosopt access challenges:
Medfinder allows providers and staff to check real-time pharmacy inventory for Cosopt and generic Dorzolamide/Timolol. When a patient reports difficulty filling a prescription, your team can quickly identify alternative pharmacies with stock — reducing the time between prescription and treatment.
Direct patients to these resources:
The ophthalmic generics market is slowly recovering from the disruptions caused by manufacturer exits. As new production capacity comes online and supply chains stabilize, availability should continue to improve. In the meantime, combination therapy for glaucoma remains well-served by multiple options across different drug classes.
Emerging therapies — including sustained-release implants, MIGS procedures, and novel drug delivery systems — may eventually reduce dependence on daily topical medications for some patient populations, but Dorzolamide/Timolol will likely remain a workhorse combination for the foreseeable future.
Cosopt supply challenges are a manageable clinical issue in 2026, but they require awareness and proactive planning. By familiarizing your team with substitution options, leveraging tools like Medfinder for providers, and educating patients about what to do when their medication is unavailable, you can minimize treatment gaps and protect your patients' vision.
For additional provider resources, see our companion guide: How to help your patients find Cosopt in stock.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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