TIMOLOL |
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TIMOLOL
BRAND & GENERIC NAMES
Blocadren
Timolide
Timoptic
BASIC INFORMATION
Habit forming? No
Prescription needed? Yes
Available as generic? No
Drug class: Beta-adrenergic blocker,
antiglaucoma agent
USES
Reduces angina attacks.
Stabilizes irregular heartbeat.
Lowers blood pressure.
Reduces frequency of migraine headaches. (Does not relieve
headache pain.)
Decreases internal-eye pressure of glaucoma (ophthalmic drops).
After myocardial infarction, prevents another heart attack.
DOSAGE & USAGE INFORMATION
How to take:
Eye drops--Wash hands. Apply slight pressure with finger to
inside corner of eye. Pull lower eyelid down. Put drop just
above lowered eyelid. Close eye gently for 2 minutes. Don't
blink.
Tablet--Swallow with liquid or crumble and take with food.
When to take:
Tablet--With meals or immediately after.
Eye drops--Follow prescription directions.
If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember. Return to regular schedule, but
allow 3 hours between doses.
What drug does:
Blocks certain actions of sympathetic nervous system.
Lowers heart's oxygen requirements.
Slows nerve impulses through heart.
Reduces blood vessel contraction in heart, scalp and other body
parts.
Eye drops lower pressure inside eye.
Time lapse before drug works:
1 to 4 hours.
Don't take with:
Any other medicines, even over-the-counter drugs such as cough
and cold medicines, nose drops, diet pills, laxatives or
caffeine, without consulting your doctor.
OVERDOSE
SYMPTOMS:
Weakness; slow or weak pulse; blood-pressure drop; fainting;
difficulty breathing, convulsions; cold, sweaty skin.
WHAT TO DO:
Dial 0 (operator) or 911 (emergency) for an ambulance or
medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
See EMERGENCY INFORMATION.
POSSIBLE ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
SYMPTOMS WHAT TO DO
Life-threatening:
Congestive heart Discontinue. Seek
failure. emergency treatment.
Common:
Pulse slower than Discontinue. Call
50 beats per minute. doctor right away.
Drowsiness, fatigue, Continue. Call doctor
numbness or tingling when convenient.
of fingers or toes,
dizziness, diarrhea,
nausea, weakness.
Cold hands or feet; Continue. Tell doctor
dry mouth, eyes at next visit.
and skin.
Infrequent:
Hallucinations, Discontinue. Call
nightmares, insomnia, doctor right away.
headache, difficult
breathing.
Confusion, reduced Continue. Call doctor
alertness, depression. when convenient.
impotence.
Constipation. Continue. Tell doctor at next
visit.
Rare:
Rash, sore throat, Discontinue. Call
fever. doctor right away.
Unusual bleeding Continue. Call doctor
and bruising; dry, when convenient.
burning eyes.
WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if:
You are allergic to any beta-adrenergic blocker.
You have asthma or hay fever symptoms.
You have taken MAO inhibitors in past 2 weeks.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you have heart disease or poor circulation to the
extremities.
If you have hay fever, asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema.
If you have overactive thyroid function.
If you have impaired liver or kidney function.
If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental
surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.
If you have diabetes or hypoglycemia.
Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.
Infants & children:
Don't give to infants or young children unless prescribed and
monitored by your physician.
Prolonged use:
Weakens heart muscle contractions.
Skin & sunlight:
No age-related problems expected.
Driving or hazardous activities:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine
affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb
ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink
alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes.
Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require
gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses
of other drugs may also require adjustment.
Others:
May mask hypoglycemia.
Side effects, such as burning or stinging of the eye, may also
occur with timolol used as eye drops.
POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER DRUGS
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|
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| ACE inhibitors: |
Increased antihypertensive |
| captopril, enalapril, |
effects of both |
| lisinopril (see |
drugs. Dosages may |
| Drugs Glossary) |
require adjustment. |
| Antidiabetics |
Increased antidiabetic effect. |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
| Antihistamines |
Decreased antihistamine effect. |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
| Antihypertensives |
Increased antihypertensive |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
effect. |
| Barbiturates |
Increased barbiturate |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
effect. Dangerous sedation. |
| Beta-agonists |
Decreased beta-agonist effect. |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
| Betaxolol eyedrops |
Possible increased timolol effect. |
| Digitalis |
Increased or decreased |
| preparations |
heart rate. Improves |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
irregular heartbeat. |
| Encainide |
Increased effect of toxicity on |
| |
heart muscle. |
| Indomethacin |
Decreased timolol effect. |
| Insulin |
Hypoglycemic effects may be |
| |
prolonged. |
| Levobunolol |
Possible increased |
| eyedrops |
timolol effect. |
| Narcotics |
Increased narcotic effect. |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
Dangerous sedation. |
| Nitrates |
Possible decreased blood pressure. |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
| Non-steroidal |
Decreased antihypertensive |
| anti-inflammatory |
effect of |
| drugs (NSAIDs, |
timolol. |
| see Drugs Glossary) |
POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
|
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|
| Tobacco: |
Possible irregular heartbeat. |
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