PRODUCT DETAILS

Composition

• Timolol maleate 0.5% w/v  
• Preservatives (often benzalkonium chloride)
• Buffering agents and sterile water

Timolol is a beta-blocker (anti-glaucoma medicine).

Use / Indication

Used to lower increased pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure) in:

• Open-angle glaucoma
• Ocular hypertension (high eye pressure)
• Sometimes used after eye surgery to control pressure

It works by reducing production of aqueous humour (fluid in the eye), lowering pressure and preventing optic nerve damage.

Direction of Use

• Usually: 1 drop in affected eye(s) once or twice daily
• Apply consistently at same time each day
• Steps:
• Wash hands
• Pull lower eyelid down
• Instill 1 drop without touching tip to eye
• Close eye gently
• Press inner corner of eye (nasolacrimal occlusion) for 1–2 minutes to reduce absorption

Side Effects

Eye-related:

• Burning or stinging
• Dry eyes
• Blurred vision
• Eye irritation

Systemic (because it can be absorbed into blood):

• Slow heart rate (bradycardia)
• Low blood pressure
• Fatigue or dizziness
• Shortness of breath (can worsen asthma)

Rare:

• Depression or mood changes
• Allergic reactions

Warning

• Do NOT use if:
• Asthma or severe chronic lung disease (COPD)
• Slow heart rate (bradycardia)
• Heart block or severe heart failure
• Stop and seek help if:
• Breathing difficulty
• Chest pain
• Severe dizziness or fainting
• Do not stop suddenly without medical advice in glaucoma patients

Interaction

May interact with:

• Beta-blocker tablets (e.g., propranolol) → increased side effects
• Calcium channel blockers (e.g., verapamil) → low heart rate/BP risk
• Digoxin → increased risk of heart rhythm issues
• Diabetes medicines → may mask low blood sugar symptoms
• Other glaucoma drops → may require spacing

Caution

• Use carefully in:
• Elderly patients
• Diabetics (may mask hypoglycaemia signs)
• Patients with heart disease
• Remove contact lenses before use (preservative may damage lenses)
• Systemic effects are rare but possible due to absorption
• Regular eye pressure monitoring is required during long-term use
• This medicine controls glaucoma but does not cure it