Summer BanksTimolol (Ophthalmic)
September 23rd 2006 23:41
Timolol (Ophthalmic) :
Timolol (ophthalmic) is used to reduce pressure in the eye caused by glaucoma or other eye conditions. This medication belongs to a group of medications that are known as beta blockers. When applied to the eye, timolol (ophthalmic) reduces pressure within the eye by decreasing eye-fluid (aqueous humor) production and perhaps by increasing the outflow of fluid from the eye.
Treatment :
Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water before applying timolol. To avoid contamination of the medication, be careful not to touch the tube portion of the dropper or let it touch your eye, and do not wipe off or rinse the dropper after you use it. The gel solution should be shaken once before each use.
If you are using timolol ophthalmic gel-forming solution along with other eyedrops, administer the other eyedrops ten minutes (or more) BEFORE you put the timolol ophthalmic gel-forming solution in your eye. Discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist.
To apply the ophthalmic drops or solution, tilt your head back and pull down your lower eyelid with one hand to make a pouch below the eye. Drop the prescribed amount of timolol into this pouch and slowly close your eyes. Try not to blink. Keep your eyes closed, and place one finger at the corner of the treated eye next to your nose for a minute or two, applying a slight pressure (this is done to prevent loss of medication through the duct that drains fluid from the surface of the eye into the nose and throat). Then wipe away any excess medication with a clean tissue.
Since applying timolol is somewhat difficult to do, you may want to have someone else apply the ophthalmic drops for you.
If you miss a dose of this medication, apply the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, do not apply the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. If timolol is used only once a day and you do not remember missing a dose until the following day, skip the missed dose. Do not double the next dose.
Side Effects :
Minor: When you apply timolol for the first time, you may feel a stinging sensation in your eyes. This should stop in a few minutes.
Major: Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about itching, skin rash, hives, or irritation of the eye that lasts more than a few minutes after application. Major side effects are rare when this product is administered correctly. However, rare occurrences of anxiety, confusion, depression, dizziness, drowsiness, generalized rash, indigestion, loss of appetite, nausea, weakness, and a slight reduction of the resting heart rate have been observed in some users of timolol. If you have any of these symptoms, it is important that you contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Interactions :
Timolol (ophthalmic) may interact with certain other medications: It may increase the side effects of reserpine, oral beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, digoxin, quinidine, and phenothiazine tranquilizers.
Before you begin treatment with timolol (ophthalmic), BE SURE THAT YOU TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications that you are currently taking, especially any of the medications that are listed above.
Warnings :
Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to any medications, especially to timolol or to any other beta blockers (acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, carteolol, esmolol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, penbutolol, pindolol, or propranolol).
Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had asthma, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, or myasthenia gravis.
Your doctor should check your eye pressure regularly to be sure the glaucoma is under control.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Small amounts of timolol may be absorbed into the bloodstream, and its safety in pregnancy has not been established. Birth defects have been observed in the fetuses of animals that were given large doses of timolol during pregnancy. Also tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. If timolol reaches the bloodstream and passes into the breast milk, it can cause a slowed heart rate in the nursing infant.
Timolol (ophthalmic) is used to reduce pressure in the eye caused by glaucoma or other eye conditions. This medication belongs to a group of medications that are known as beta blockers. When applied to the eye, timolol (ophthalmic) reduces pressure within the eye by decreasing eye-fluid (aqueous humor) production and perhaps by increasing the outflow of fluid from the eye.
Treatment :
Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water before applying timolol. To avoid contamination of the medication, be careful not to touch the tube portion of the dropper or let it touch your eye, and do not wipe off or rinse the dropper after you use it. The gel solution should be shaken once before each use.
If you are using timolol ophthalmic gel-forming solution along with other eyedrops, administer the other eyedrops ten minutes (or more) BEFORE you put the timolol ophthalmic gel-forming solution in your eye. Discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist.
To apply the ophthalmic drops or solution, tilt your head back and pull down your lower eyelid with one hand to make a pouch below the eye. Drop the prescribed amount of timolol into this pouch and slowly close your eyes. Try not to blink. Keep your eyes closed, and place one finger at the corner of the treated eye next to your nose for a minute or two, applying a slight pressure (this is done to prevent loss of medication through the duct that drains fluid from the surface of the eye into the nose and throat). Then wipe away any excess medication with a clean tissue.
Since applying timolol is somewhat difficult to do, you may want to have someone else apply the ophthalmic drops for you.
If you miss a dose of this medication, apply the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, do not apply the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. If timolol is used only once a day and you do not remember missing a dose until the following day, skip the missed dose. Do not double the next dose.
Side Effects :
Minor: When you apply timolol for the first time, you may feel a stinging sensation in your eyes. This should stop in a few minutes.
Major: Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about itching, skin rash, hives, or irritation of the eye that lasts more than a few minutes after application. Major side effects are rare when this product is administered correctly. However, rare occurrences of anxiety, confusion, depression, dizziness, drowsiness, generalized rash, indigestion, loss of appetite, nausea, weakness, and a slight reduction of the resting heart rate have been observed in some users of timolol. If you have any of these symptoms, it is important that you contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Interactions :
Timolol (ophthalmic) may interact with certain other medications: It may increase the side effects of reserpine, oral beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, digoxin, quinidine, and phenothiazine tranquilizers.
Before you begin treatment with timolol (ophthalmic), BE SURE THAT YOU TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications that you are currently taking, especially any of the medications that are listed above.
Warnings :
Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to any medications, especially to timolol or to any other beta blockers (acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, carteolol, esmolol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, penbutolol, pindolol, or propranolol).
Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had asthma, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, or myasthenia gravis.
Your doctor should check your eye pressure regularly to be sure the glaucoma is under control.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Small amounts of timolol may be absorbed into the bloodstream, and its safety in pregnancy has not been established. Birth defects have been observed in the fetuses of animals that were given large doses of timolol during pregnancy. Also tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. If timolol reaches the bloodstream and passes into the breast milk, it can cause a slowed heart rate in the nursing infant.
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