PRODUCT DETAILS
Composition
- Timolol maleate 0.5% w/v
(equivalent to timolol 5 mg/mL)
Category / Class
- Ophthalmic beta-blocker
- Anti-glaucoma medication
Use / Indications
Used for:
- Open-angle glaucoma
- Ocular hypertension (raised intraocular pressure)
- Secondary glaucoma in some cases
Mechanism of Action
Timolol reduces production of aqueous humour (fluid in the eye), thereby lowering intraocular pressure and helping prevent optic nerve damage.
Direction of Use
Typical adult dose:
- 1 drop into affected eye(s) twice daily
- Dose may reduce to once daily if pressure is controlled
Instructions:
- Wash hands before use
- Avoid touching the dropper tip
- Remove contact lenses before instillation
- Wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting contact lenses
- Close the eye gently for 1–2 minutes after use to reduce systemic absorption
Common Side Effects
Eye-related:
- Burning or stinging
- Blurred vision
- Eye irritation/redness
- Dry eyes
- Itching
- Watery eyes
- Foreign body sensation
Systemic:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Slow heartbeat
- Low blood pressure
Serious Side Effects
Seek urgent medical attention if patient develops:
- Wheezing or breathing difficulty
- Chest pain
- Severe dizziness/fainting
- Irregular heartbeat
- Severe allergic reaction
- Severe eye pain or vision changes
- Signs of heart failure
Warnings
Do NOT use in patients with:
- Asthma
- Severe COPD
- Sinus bradycardia
- Heart block
- Heart failure
- Cardiogenic shock
- Allergy to timolol or beta-blockers
Drug Interactions
Use cautiously with:
- Oral beta-blockers
- Calcium channel blockers
- Digoxin
- Quinidine
- Clonidine
- Antihypertensives
- Insulin or oral antidiabetic medicines
- NSAIDs may reduce antihypertensive effects
Cautions
- May temporarily blur vision; avoid driving immediately after use
- Can mask symptoms of hypoglycaemia in diabetic patients
- Use cautiously in thyroid disease and circulation disorders
- Contains benzalkonium chloride which may irritate eyes and discolour soft contact lenses
- Use during pregnancy only if clearly necessary
- Small amounts may pass into breast milk
