How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient timolol maleate, which is a type of medicine called a beta-blocker. It works by blocking beta-receptors in the eye. The pressure within the eyeball is naturally maintained by a continuous flow of liquid called aqueous humour through the eyeball. Aqueous humour is produced by a part of the eye called the ciliary body, and it drains out of the eyeball through channels called the trabecular meshwork. If the outflow of aqueous humour is blocked, the aqueous humour builds up inside the eye, increasing the pressure within the eyeball. This pressure needs to be reduced, as otherwise it can damage the optic nerve and impair vision as a result. Timolol blocks beta-receptors that are found on the ciliary body. This action reduces the amount of aqueous humour secreted into the eyeball by the ciliary body. Timolol also blocks beta-receptors found on the blood vessels that supply the ciliary body. This causes the blood vessels to constrict, and reduces the amount of watery fluid that filters out of the blood vessels to form aqueous humour. Timolol therefore reduces the inflow of aqueous humour into the eyeball, which decreases the pressure within the eye. It is used to treat conditions where there is raised pressure in the eye, such as glaucoma.

What is it used for?

Open angle glaucoma

Raised pressure within the eye (ocular hypertension)

Warning!

This medicine may mask the symptoms of low blood sugar such as increased heart rate, tremor and nausea. People with diabetes should carefully monitor their blood sugar.

This medicine is not to be taken by mouth.

This medicine should discarded four weeks after opening. You may find it helpful to write the date of opening on the pack. Dispose of carefully.

This medicine is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.

This medicine may increase sensitivity to substances which cause allergy and the seriousness of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). People who experience an anaphylactic reaction while taking this medicine may need larger than normal doses of adrenaline to treat the reaction. Seek further medical advice from your doctor if you have a history of allergy.

It is recommended that after administering this eye preparation, you press on the tear duct (at the corner of the eye closest to your nose), or gently close your eyes for about three minutes, in order to minimise the amount of medicine absorbed into the bloodstream and increase the local effect in the eye.

If you are using more than one type of eye drop you should administer them at least five minutes apart, to prevent the second drop washing away the first. Use eye gels or ointments last.

While using this medicine you should have regular eye examinations.

This medicine may cause temporary blurred vision after you have applied it into the eye(s). If affected, do not drive or operate machinary until this has worn off. You should also take into account that this medicine can sometimes cause other visual disturbances, eg double vision, and dizziness or fatigue, all of which may affect your ability to drive or operate machinary.

When using the eye drops you should take care to not touch the dropper tip to any surface, or to your eye, in order to avoid contaminating the eye drops.

You should store the dropper bottle upside down in the carton after opening it. This is so the gel collects in the the neck of the bottle, which prevents bubbles forming when you apply the gel.

Use with caution in

A problem common in the elderly, related to poor control of the working of the heart (sick sinus syndrome)

Diabetes

History of allergies

History of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)

History of severe heart disease

Hyperthyroidism

Increase in the acidity of the blood (metabolic acidosis)

Psoriasis

Slowed conduction of electrical messages between the chambers of the heart (1st degree heart block)

Not to be used in

A severe form of angina pectoris, not caused by exertion

Allergy to beta-blockers

Breastfeeding

Contact lens wearers

Degeneration of the cornea

Failure of the heart to maintain adequate circulation (cardiogenic shock)

Heart failure

History of asthma

History of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Low blood pressure (hypotension)

Narrowing of the blood vessels in the hands, causing numb and painful fingers (Raynaud's disease)

Serious defect in the heart's electrical message pathways resulting in decreased function of the heart (2nd or 3rd degree heart block)

Severe disturbance of blood circulation in the extremities

Severe nasal allergies and hypersensitive airways

Slow heart rate caused by the pacemaker of the heart (sinus bradycardia)

Untreated tumour of the adrenal gland (phaeochromocytoma)

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine passes into breast milk. It is not recommended for use by breastfeeding women. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Headache

Blurred vision

Disturbed sleep

Depression

Nausea

Fatigue

Low blood pressure (hypotension)

Cold extremities, eg hands and feet

Dizziness

Inflammation of the lining of the eye, causing pain and redness (conjunctivitis)

Slow heart rate (bradycardia)

Difficulty in breathing (dyspnoea)

Inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis)

Dry eyes

Chest pain

Allergic skin reactions

Drooping of the upper eyelid (ptosis)

Double vision

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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