Timolol Ophthalmic

Conditions Treated

Ophthalmic timolol is used to treat glaucoma, a condition in which increased pressure in the eye can lead to gradual loss of vision. Timolol is in a class of medications called beta-blockers. It works by decreasing the pressure in the eye.

Possible Side Effects

What Side Effects Can This Cause?

Timolol eye drops or gel-forming solution may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

eye irritation
double vision
headache
depression
dizziness
nausea

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop using timolol and call your doctor immediately:

slow or irregular heartbeat
difficulty breathing
sudden weight gain
swelling of the feet or lower legs
fainting

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Usage Instructions

How Should This Medication Be Used

Ophthalmic timolol comes as a solution (liquid) and an extended-release (long-acting) gel-forming solution (liquid that thickens to a gel when instilled in the eye). Timolol eye drops are usuallyinstilled once or twice a day, at evenly spaced intervals, until pressure in the eye is controlled (about 4 weeks). Then it may be instilled once a day. Timolol gel-forming solution is usually instilled once a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use timolol exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Timolol eye drops and gel-forming solution control glaucoma but do not cure it. Continue to use timolol even if you feel well. Do not stop using the medication without talking to your doctor. To instill the eye drops or eye gel, follow these steps:

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

If you are using the gel-forming solution, invert the container and shake it once. (There is no need to shake the eye-drops.) Make sure that the end of the dropper is not chipped or cracked.

Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or anything else; eye drops and droppers must be kept clean.

While tilting your head back, pull down the lower lid of your eye with your index finger to form a pocket.

Hold the dropper (tip down) with the other hand, as close to the eye as possible without touching it.

Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your face.

If you are using the eye drops, gently squeeze the dropper so that a single drop falls into the pocket made by the lower eyelid. If you are using the gel-forming solution, check the directions that came with your medication to see whether you should push the bottom of the bottle so that a single drop falls out or press a specially marked area on the side of the bottle. If you are using the type of bottle that must be pushed from the bottom, be careful not to squeeze the sides of the bottle. Remove your index finger from the lower eyelid.

Close your eye for 2 to 3 minutes and tip your head down as though looking at the floor. Try not to blink or squeeze your eyelids.

Place a finger on the tear duct and apply gentle pressure.

Wipe any excess liquid from your face with a tissue.

If you are to use more than one drop in the same eye, wait at least 5 minutes before instilling the next drop.

Replace and tighten the cap on the dropper bottle. Do not wipe or rinse the dropper tip.

Wash your hands to remove any medication.

Are There Any Special Instructions

Before using timolol eye drops or gel-forming solution, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to timolol, beta blockers, or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol (Cartrol), esmolol (Breviblic), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), sotalol (Betapace), and timolol (Blocadren); quinidine (Quinidex, Quinaglute Dura-Tabs); verapamil (Calan, Isoptin); and vitamins. if you are using another topical eye medication, instill it at least 10 minutes before or after you instill timolol eye drops or gel-forming solution. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had thyroid, heart, or lung disease; congestive heart failure; myasthenia gravis; or diabetes. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using timolol. if you have eye surgery, an eye injury, or develop an eye infection while using timolol eye drops or gel-forming solution, ask your doctor if you can continue using the same container of timolol. you should know that your vision may be blurred during your treatment with timolol gel-forming solution. Avoid rubbing your eyes even if your vision is blurred. Do not drive a car or operate machinery if you are unable to see clearly. if you wear soft contact lenses, remove them before instilling timolol eye drops or gel-forming solution, and wait until 15 minutes after using timolol to put them back in.

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Brand Names

Common Brand Names for This Medication

Betimol®
Combigan® (as a combination product containing Timolol and Brimonidine)
Cosopt® (as a combination product containing Timolol and Dorzolamide)
Timoptic®
Timoptic® GFS
Timoptic-XE®

Overdose

What To Do In The Case of Emergency

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Forgotten Doses

What Should I Do If I Forget A Dose?

Instill the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not instill a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Additional Information

What Are the Storage Conditions for this Medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). If it becomes discolored or cloudy, obtain a fresh bottle. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

What Other Information Should I Know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor. Your doctor will order certain eye tests to check your response to timolol. Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

ASHS Disclaimer

Click here for the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Disclaimer. AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2011. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commerical use must be authorized by ASHP.