timolol ophthalmic

What is the most important information I should know about timolol ophthalmic?

What is timolol ophthalmic?

Timolol is a beta-blocker that also reduces pressure inside the eye.

Timolol ophthalmic may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using timolol ophthalmic?

• asthma or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
• certain serious heart conditions, especially "sick sinus syndrome" or 2nd or 3rd degree "AV block";
• severe heart failure; or
• slow heartbeats that have caused you to faint.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease, a stroke, a blood clot, or circulation problems;
• breathing problems;
• diabetes;
• a thyroid disorder;
• narrow-angle glaucoma;
• allergies; or
• a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis.

How should I use timolol ophthalmic?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Do not use this medicine while wearing contact lenses. Timolol ophthalmic may contain a preservative that can discolor soft contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using this medicine before putting in your contact lenses.

To apply the eye drops:

• Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the dropper above the eye with the tip down. Look up and away from the dropper and squeeze out a drop.
• Close your eyes for 2 or 3 minutes with your head tipped down, without blinking or squinting. Gently press your finger to the inside corner of the eye for about 1 minute, to keep the liquid from draining into your tear duct.
• Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed. If you use more than one drop, wait about 5 minutes between drops.
• Wait at least 10 minutes before using any other eye drops your doctor has prescribed.

Do not use the eye drops if the liquid has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

It may take a few weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 4 weeks of treatment.

If you need surgery, including eye surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using timolol ophthalmic. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

You should not stop using this medicine suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

A single-use ampule is for one use only. Throw it away after one use, even if there is still medicine left inside.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include dizziness, headache, slow heartbeats, and trouble breathing.

What should I avoid while using timolol ophthalmic?

This medicine may cause blurred vision and may impair your reactions. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you.

You may need to use other glaucoma medications in addition to timolol ophthalmic. Do not use other eye medications unless your doctor tells you to.

What are the possible side effects of timolol ophthalmic?

• wheezing, chest pain, trouble breathing, slow heartbeats;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• muscle weakness;
• depressed mood, confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior; or
• numbness or cold feeling in your hands and feet.

• severe stinging or burning after using the eye drops:
• eye swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting or drainage (may be signs of infection); or
• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights.

Common side effects may include:

• burning or stinging in your eye;
• dry eyes, itching;
• feeling like something is in your eye;
• red or puffy eyelids; or
• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect timolol ophthalmic?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• any other beta-blocker eye medication --betaxolol, carteolol, levobunolol, or metipranolol;
• any other beta-blocker heart or blood pressure medicine --atenolol, bisoprolol, carvedilol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, propranolol, sotalol, and others; or
• other heart or blood pressure medications --amiodarone, clonidine, digoxin, diltiazem, disopyramide, nicardipine, nifedipine, reserpine, verapamil, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect timolol ophthalmic, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about timolol ophthalmic.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 10.01. Revision date: 3/31/2021.