Introduction
Timolet 0.5% is a beta-blocker used to treat elevated intraocular pressure (high pressure inside the eye) in people with ocular hypertension or open angle glaucoma. It lowers the pressure in the eye by decreasing the production of fluid and reduces the risk of vision loss.
Always wash your hands before using Timolet 0.5%. Use only the number of drops that your doctor has prescribed and wait for about 5 minutes between each drop. If you wear soft contact lenses, remove them before using the drops and wait for at least 15 minutes before putting them back in. If you are also using another eye medicine, wait for at least 10 minutes before using it. Read the leaflet that comes with the medicine for a full guide on how to use the drops and get the most benefit. Do not touch the tip of the dropper or bottle. This may lead to infection. You should use this medicine regularly to get the most benefit and it is best used at the same time(s) each day. If you want to stop using it, consult your doctor first.
The most common side effects are burning and stinging sensation in the eye. There are other, less common, side effects affecting other parts of the body some of which may be serious as Timolet 0.5% is absorbed into the systemic circulation. Consult your doctor if you are bothered by any side effects.
You should not use this medicine if you have asthma, severe COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or a serious heart condition. Inform your doctor if you have, or have had, coronary heart disease, heart failure, diabetes, breathing problems, an overactive thyroid gland or liver or kidney disease. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before taking this medicine.
Uses of Timolet 0.5%
- Glaucoma
- Ocular hypertension
Side effects of Timolet 0.5%
Common
- Burning eyes
- Stinging in the eyes
How to use Timolet 0.5%
This medicine is for external use only. Take it in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Check the label for directions before use. Hold the dropper close to the eye without touching it. Gently squeeze the dropper and place the medicine inside the lower eyelid. Wipe off extra liquid.
How Timolet 0.5% works
Timolet 0.5% is a beta blocker. It works by decreasing the production of aqueous humour (fluid in the eye), thereby lowering the increased eye pressure.
What if you forget to take Timolet 0.5%?
If you miss a dose of Timolet 0.5%, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Indication
Open-angle glaucoma, Ocular hypertension
Adult Dose
Ophthalmic
Open-angle glaucoma; Ocular hypertension
Adult: Initial: The usual starting dose is one drop in the affected eye(s) twice a day. Reduce to 1 drop/day if controlled.
Child Dose
Safety & efficacy not established
Contraindication
Hypersensitivity to any component of this product; bronchial asthma; history of bronchial asthma; severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; sinus bradycardia; second or third degree atrioventricular block; overt cardiac failure; cardiogenic shock
Mode of Action
Exact mechanism of ocular hypotensive effect is unclear, but it is thought to be related to reduction of aqueous humour formation. beta-blockade also causes lowering of BP.
Precaution
Observe patients receiving topical timolol and a systemic ß-adrenergic blocking agent concomitantly for potential additive effects on IOP and/or systemic effects of ß-adrenergic blockade
Severe respiratory reactions and cardiac reactions, including death due to bronchospasm in patients with asthma, and rarely death in association with cardiac failure, reported following systemic or ophthalmic administration of timolol maleate
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (e.g., chronic bronchitis, emphysema) of mild or moderate severity, bronchospastic disease, or a history of bronchospastic disease (other than bronchial asthma or a history of bronchial asthma, in which timolol is contraindicated) should, in general, not receive beta-blockers
Some authorities recommend gradual withdrawal of beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agents in patients undergoing elective surgery; if necessary during surgery, effects of beta-adrenergic blocking agents may be reversed by sufficient doses of adrenergic agonists
Beta-adrenergic blocking agents should be administered with caution in patients subject to spontaneous hypoglycemia or diabetic patients (especially those with labile diabetes) who are receiving insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents; beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agents may mask signs and symptoms of acute hypoglycemia
Beta-adrenergic blocking agents may mask certain clinical signs (e.g., tachycardia) of hyperthyroidism; patients suspected of developing thyrotoxicosis should be managed carefully to avoid abrupt withdrawal of beta-adrenergic blocking agents that might precipitate thyroid storm
Because of potential effects of beta-adrenergic blocking agents on blood pressure and pulse, these agents should be used with caution in patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency; if signs or symptoms suggesting reduced cerebral blood flow develop following initiation of therapy, alternative therapy should be considered
Side Effect
>10%
Burning or stinging (38%)
>1%
Blurred vision (4-10%),Cataract (4-10%),Conjunctivitis (4-10%),Decreased visual acuity (4-10%),Headache (4-10%),Hypertension (4-10%),Infection (4-10%),Itching (4-10%)
Frequency Not Defined
Ocular irritation,Blepharitis,Keratitis,Ocular pain,Discharge (e.g., crusting),Foreign body sensation,Dry eyes,Eyelid erythema,Blepharoptosis,Decreased corneal sensitivity,Diplopia,Cystoid macular edema,Pseudopemphigoid,Choroidal detachment following filtration surgery,Epiphora,Photophobia,Conjunctival injection,Corneal fluorescein staining,Retinal vascular disorder,Ptosis
Potentially Fatal: Heart failure, intensification of heart block, bronchospasm, respiratory failure.
Interaction
Concomitant admin w/ reserpine may increase hypotension and bradycardia. Additive effects w/ other antihypertensives (e.g. hydralazine, methyldopa). Increased beta-adrenergic blockade (e.g. decreased heart rate) w/ quinidine. Rebound HTN due to abrupt withdrawal of clonidine. Hypotensive effect may be antagonised by NSAIDs (e.g. indomethacin, ibuprofen).