DuoTrav eye drops 40 micrograms/mL + 5 mg/mL – travoprost and timolol for raised eye pressure

DuoTrav® eye drops, solution contain a combination of two active substances: travoprost (40 micrograms/mL), a prostaglandin analogue that increases the outflow of aqueous fluid from the eye, and timolol (5 mg/mL), a beta-blocker that reduces fluid production in the eye. Together they lower the pressure in the eye.

According to the package leaflet, DuoTrav is used to treat raised eye pressure in adults, including the elderly; untreated raised eye pressure can lead to glaucoma. The drops are used once daily and are prescription-only.

What is DuoTrav used for and how should the drops be applied correctly?

Key facts about the medicine

What is DuoTrav used for?

DuoTrav is used to treat high pressure in the eye in adults, including the elderly. Raised eye pressure can lead to a disease called glaucoma. The medicine is not intended for children and adolescents under 18.

How is it applied and dosed?

• Recommended dose: one drop in the affected eye (or eyes) once daily – in the morning or evening, at the same time every day. Use in both eyes only if your doctor has told you to.
• Before first use, take the bottle out of the protective pouch and write down the date of opening. Wash your hands, tilt your head back, pull down the lower eyelid and place one drop in the "pocket" between the eyelid and the eye. Do not touch the eye, eyelid or other surfaces with the bottle tip.
• After applying, press your finger on the inner corner of the eye (by the nose) for 2 minutes – this reduces the amount of medicine reaching the rest of the body.
• If you use other eye drops as well, wait at least 5 minutes between them.
• Remove soft contact lenses before applying the drops and wait 15 minutes before putting them back in.
• The dose should never exceed one drop per affected eye per day.

Special patient groups

• Children and adolescents under 18: not intended for this group.
• Elderly: the medicine is also used in elderly people, as recommended by the doctor.
• People with diabetes or an overactive thyroid: timolol may mask signs of low blood sugar and of thyroid disease – caution is needed.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

• allergy to travoprost, prostaglandins, timolol, beta-blockers or any of the excipients;
• asthma, severe chronic obstructive bronchitis or other breathing problems (now or in the past);
• severe hay fever;
• slow heart rate, heart failure or heart rhythm disorders;
• cloudy eye surface.

Warnings and precautions

• Talk to your doctor if you have coronary heart disease, heart failure, low blood pressure, slow heart rate, breathing problems, circulation disorders (e.g. Raynaud's syndrome), diabetes, an overactive thyroid, myasthenia gravis, or if you have had cataract surgery or eye inflammation.
• Before any surgery, tell your doctor you are using DuoTrav, as timolol may change the effect of some anaesthetics.
• In a severe allergic reaction, adrenaline treatment may not work as well as usual – warn your doctor that you use DuoTrav.
• DuoTrav may permanently change iris colour and increase the length, thickness, colour and number of eyelashes, and may cause unusual hair growth on the eyelids.
• Travoprost can be absorbed through the skin – if the medicine gets on your skin, rinse it off immediately.
• The medicine contains polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil and propylene glycol, which may cause skin reactions and irritation.

Interactions with other medicines, food and drink

DuoTrav may affect the action of other medicines, including other glaucoma eye drops, and vice versa. Tell your doctor if you use or intend to use medicines to lower blood pressure, heart medicines (including quinidine), medicines for diabetes, or the antidepressants fluoxetine or paroxetine.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

• Pregnancy: do not use DuoTrav if you are pregnant unless your doctor considers it necessary. Women who could become pregnant must use adequate contraception during treatment.
• Breast-feeding: do not use DuoTrav if you are breast-feeding – the medicine may pass into breast milk.

Driving and using machines

Vision may be blurred for a while after applying the drops. In some patients the medicine can also cause hallucinations, dizziness, nervousness or tiredness. Do not drive or use machines until these symptoms have passed.

Possible side effects

• Very common (more than 1 in 10): eye redness.
• Common (up to 1 in 10): inflammation of the eye surface with surface damage, eye pain, blurred vision, abnormal vision, dry eye, itching, eye discomfort and irritation (burning, stinging).
• Uncommon (up to 1 in 100): eyelid inflammation, conjunctival swelling, increased eyelash growth, iris inflammation, sensitivity to light, increased tearing, eyelid discoloration and redness, darkening of the skin around the eye; general – allergic reaction, dizziness, headache, raised or lowered blood pressure, shortness of breath, increased hair growth, post-nasal drip, skin inflammation and itching, slow heart rate.
• Rare (up to 1 in 1,000): thinning of the eye surface, inflammation of eyelid glands, broken blood vessels in the eye, abnormal eyelash growth; general – nervousness, irregular heartbeat, hair loss, voice changes, breathing difficulties, cough, throat irritation, hives, abnormal liver tests.
• Frequency not known: drooping eyelid, sunken eyes, change in iris colour; rash, heart failure, chest pain, stroke, fainting, depression, asthma, fast heart rate, palpitations, swelling of the lower limbs, taste disturbance.
• Because timolol is absorbed, effects typical of beta-blockers are also possible: slow or irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, cold hands and feet, narrowing of the airways, worsening of myasthenia gravis, reduced libido, low blood sugar.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Too many drops applied: rinse the eye with warm water and do not apply more until the next scheduled dose.
• Missed dose: continue with the next dose as planned; do not apply a double dose.
• Stopping treatment: if you stop using the medicine without talking to your doctor, eye pressure will not be controlled, which may lead to loss of vision.

Related information

For additional care of dry and irritated eyes, see also the category Eye Drops – products in this category do not replace the medicine prescribed to you; leave at least 5 minutes between DuoTrav and other drops.

Composition, pack and manufacturer

• Active substances: per 1 mL – 40 micrograms travoprost and 5 mg timolol (as timolol maleate).
• Excipients: polyquaternium-1; mannitol (E421); propylene glycol (E1520); polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil (HCO-40); boric acid; sodium chloride; sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid (for pH adjustment); purified water.
• Appearance and pack: clear, colourless to pale yellow solution; 2.5 mL oval bottle (PP or LDPE) with dropper and screw cap, in an overwrap; carton with 1 bottle.
• Marketing authorisation holder: Predstavništvo Novartis Pharma Services Inc. Beograd, Omladinskih brigada 90a, Belgrade.

Storage

• Store below 30 °C.
• Shelf life after first opening: 28 days – discard the bottle 4 weeks after opening and write the opening date on the box.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children; do not use after the expiry date; return unused medicine to a pharmacy that collects unused medicines.

Frequently asked questions

Is it better to apply DuoTrav in the morning or in the evening?

According to the leaflet, the drops are applied once a day, in the morning or evening – what matters is that it is at the same time every day. The dose should not exceed one drop per affected eye per day.

Can DuoTrav change eye colour?

Yes. The medicine may change the colour of the iris (the coloured part of the eye), and the change may be permanent. It may also increase the length, thickness, colour and number of eyelashes.

Can I use DuoTrav if I have asthma?

No. Asthma, severe chronic obstructive bronchitis and other breathing problems are contraindications, because timolol (a beta-blocker) in the drops reaches the bloodstream and can narrow the airways.

How long can I use an opened bottle?

For a maximum of 28 days after first opening. Discard the bottle 4 weeks after opening to prevent infections and open a new one.

Sources

• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics, DuoTrav eye drops, solution (SmPC, Serbian)
• ALIMS – Package leaflet, DuoTrav eye drops, solution (PIL, Serbian)

Sources checked on: 25 October 2026.