Uses of Timolol

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1. What is Timolol?

Timolol is a medicine with the active ingredient Timolol maleate, prepared in the form of 0.1%, 0.25% eye drops or 0.5% Timolol. This is a substance that blocks beta1 and beta2 adrenergic receptors, which is a non-selective blocker.
Timolol has effects such as lowering blood pressure, lowering eye pressure... However, the antihypertensive effect of beta-blockers is still unknown, but it may be because this drug reduces the production of aqueous humor. In addition, the drug also slightly increases the outflow of aqueous humor, it has little or no effect on the regulation of pupil dilation.
Timolol's eye pressure-lowering effect is usually rapid, appearing about 20 minutes after being applied to the eye and reaching its maximum effect within 1 to 2 hours. Patients apply a small solution of Timolol 0.25% or 0.5%, the effect can be maintained for about 24 hours.

2. Uses of the drug Timolol

Thanks to beta-blocker properties, Timolol is indicated for use in the following cases:
Reduces intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma. Applying on hemangiomas helps to reduce the growth of hemangiomas. The tablet dosage form is also used with the same antihypertensive effect as other beta-blockers. However, after oral administration or eye application, Timolol is absorbed into the body. Adverse effects of systemic beta-blockers may also occur with the ophthalmic formulation. Accordingly, it is contraindicated to use the drug when the patient has the following diseases:
Bronchial asthma or people with a history of bronchial asthma. Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Sinus bradycardia, second or third degree atrioventricular block. Heart failure, cardiogenic shock. Hypersensitivity to a component of the drug. Cases needing caution when taking the drug:
People with diabetes, because beta blockers can mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia. Patients should not take two drugs with the same beta-blocking effect into the eye at the same time. Patients taking beta-blockers should closely monitor both intraocular pressure and systemic effects. Pregnancy: There are no adequate studies on the use of this drug in pregnant women. Accordingly, the drug Timolol can harm the fetus, the risk of slowing down the fetal heart rate and reducing the perfusion of the placenta due to the effect of reducing blood pressure in the mother. Therefore, Timolol should be used during pregnancy only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Lactation: Timolol is excreted in breast milk in concentrations so high that it may pose a risk to the infant. Because the drug causes serious reactions in the nursing infant, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, depending on the importance of the drug to the mother.

3. Usage and dosage of Timolol

Dosage for patients with open-angle glaucoma:
The usual initial dose for patients is 1 drop of Timolol maleate 0.25% in the affected eye, 2 times a day. If there is not enough response to cause a decrease in intraocular pressure, the dose can be changed to 1 drop of 0.5% solution in the affected eye, twice a day. Because Timolol's ocular pressure-reducing response to some people may take several weeks to stabilize. Therefore, intraocular pressure should be measured approximately 4 weeks after administration of Timolol to assess efficacy. If intraocular pressure remains responsive, many patients can switch to once-daily dosing. When the patient is taking another type of beta-blocking eye drops, possibly because of poor response, and wants to switch to Timolol, the drug should be stopped on the previous day and started with 1 drop of Timolol 0.25 the next day. % into the affected eye, twice a day. If the clinical response is not satisfactory, the dose may be increased by 1 drop of Timolol type 0.5%, twice daily. How to use eye drops:
Wash your hands before each use, if other eye drops are used, they should be used 10 minutes before. Shake the sealed vial well before each use, do not need to shake it too many times. When removing the vial cap, make sure the dropper does not touch anything. Place the cap of the vial in a clean dry place, then pull the eyelids and tilt the head and apply the drops into the eyes. If you have to use two eyes, do the same with the other eye. Close the lid and leave at room temperature. Do not wash the top of the vial with soapy water or any other detergent. Avoid allowing the dropper to become contaminated or touch potentially contaminated surfaces. Because this causes eye infections when used next time. In addition to treating glaucoma, Timolol also works to treat hemangiomas, because it is effective and safe. Usage is as follows:
Clean the area with hemangioma. Apply Timolol 0.5% directly to the hemangioma. Small size hemangioma, 1 drop/time. Large hemangioma, 1 drop for an area of ​​4-5cm2, if large, more drops are needed. Do not use a cotton swab to apply the medicine, because the medicine absorbed into the cotton no longer has the desired dose. Use the drug about 2 times per day.

4. The unwanted effects of the drug Timolol

Like other drugs, Timolol also causes side effects including:
The most common reactions are visual disturbances such as blurred vision and irritation to the eyes. Less common reactions include fatigue, headache, dizziness, bradycardia, syncope, depression, nausea, shortness of breath. In the eyes can see conjunctivitis, keratitis, visual disturbances. Rare reactions: Hypotension, arrhythmia, heart failure, atrioventricular block, cerebral ischemia, palpitations. On the skin can see rash, urticaria, shortness of breath due to bronchospasm. Eyes can see blepharitis, eyelid prolapse, double vision, dry eyes.

5. Notes when using the drug Timolol

In order to limit side effects, patients need to be carefully taken care of their medical history and the medications they are taking. In addition, avoid letting the tip of the vial come into contact with your eyes or the area around your eyes, you need to store it properly to avoid being contaminated with bacteria that often cause eye infections. Accordingly, the eyes may be severely damaged or unable to see due to the use of contaminated eye drops. When experiencing side effects or eye problems such as eye injury, eye surgery, eye infection, it is necessary to consult a doctor immediately whether to continue taking the drug or not? For children, it can be used as adults, but it should be noted that it should not be used for premature babies and infants. If you have a history of hypersensitivity to the preservative benzalkonium chloride, you can use the preservative-free dose pack. However, because this medication does not remain sterile once opened, the remainder should be discarded immediately after administration. Although Timolol ophthalmic solution used alone has little or no effect on the pupils, its use in combination with epinephrine can sometimes cause pupil dilation. It should not be used in combination with other beta-blocker ophthalmic drugs, because of the strong additive effect on the eyes and systemic effects. Avoid combination with barbiturates and caution when using with verapamil, diltiazem, reserp. Because hypotension, bradycardia, atrioventricular conduction disturbances, heart failure may occur. Store the medicine at a normal temperature of 15 to below 30 degrees Celsius. Close the lid tightly and avoid sunlight, out of reach of children. Above are the effects and things to know when using Timolol. The drug needs to be used under the prescription of the treating doctor, so you should not buy the medicine on your own.
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