Timolol Eye Drops: Instructions for Use

Timolol is an eye drop designed to lower the eye pressure.The name of the medicinal product coincides with the name of the main active substance. The chemical compound timolol is a non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor blocker with local membrane stabilizing activity. The mechanism of action of the drug is aimed at reducing the level of intraocular pressure by reducing the amount formed aqueous humor (intraocular fluid) and some relief of the possibility of its outflow from the chambers eyes.

Description of the preparation

Ophthalmic preparation Timololum (Timololum) is available in the form of drops for the eyes.This is a clear, colorless aqueous solution. The concentration of the solution may be different: 2.5% or 5%. The main active substance of the drug is timolol maleate, which belongs to a group of nonselective beta-blockers.

Timolol

Auxiliary components of the preparation:

• benzalkonium chloride;
• sodium chloride;
• sodium hydroxide;
• sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate;
• disodium phosphate dodecahydrate;
• disodium edetate dihydrate;
• sodium hydroxide;
• purified water.

Eye drops of Timolol are packed in plastic bottles. The volume of the bottle is 5 ml.Each package has a stopper-dropper and is placed in a cardboard box.There is also a form of drops of Timolol in tube-droppers with a volume of 1 ml.

The ophthalmic preparation should be stored in a dry, dark place, inaccessible to children. Storage temperature should not exceed 25 degrees.

Shelf life of unopened vial with drops is two years. After the start of use, the drug can be used no longer than one month.

Pharmacological action and group

Timolol belongs to the pharmacological group of nonselective beta adrenergic receptor blockers. The mechanism of action of the drug does not interfere with the accommodation of the eye (the ability to clearly perceive objects that are at different distances from the viewer), and also does not change the size of the pupil.Accordingly, eye drops of Timolol do not affect the visual acuity and the quality of night vision.The action of the drug can appear only 20 minutes after application, the maximum duration of exposure after a single instillation of the drug - about a day.

Read also for what the eye drops Taufon are prescribed.

Drops of Timolol have the property of lowering both increased and normal intraocular pressure.

Application

When using the drug Timolol, it is important to remember that the drug is available in the form of solutions of varying concentrations (5% or,%). It is important to accurately perform the doctor's prescribed dosage. In most cases, the treatment is prescribed in the form of instillations, 5% solution of the drug. Bury the medicine should be one drop twice a day in the lower conjunctival sac. If the therapeutic effect is insufficient, the doctor can recommend the use,% solution according to the same scheme. Treatment with the use of drops for the eyes Timolol usually quite long. The duration of the drug is determined by the attending physician.

After achieving the desired therapeutic effect, the dosage of drops decreases. The medicine is instilled in one drop, 5% solution once a day.

Indications

Timolol can be appointed as an ophthalmologist as part of complex therapy for the following diseases:

• open-angle glaucoma,
• secondary glaucoma;
• ocular hypertension.

As an auxiliary drug Timolol apply:

• together with miotics in the treatment of closed-angle glaucoma;
• in case of ineffectiveness of other medical measures with congenital glaucoma;
• to relieve an acute attack of increasing intraocular pressure.

It is used if necessary to reduce spasms of the muscles of the eyes.

Contraindications

Eye drops Timolol can not be used if the following diseases occur:

• dystrophic disease of the cornea;
• bronchial asthma;
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
• acute or chronic heart failure;
• sinus bradycardia;
• AV blockade II and III degree;
• cardiogenic shock;
• rhinitis (including allergic).

Care should be taken when the patient is diagnosed with:

• diabetes;
• emphysema of the lungs;
• non-allergic chronic bronchitis;
• Raynaud's disease;
• severe form of cerebrovascular insufficiency;
• hyperthyroidism;
• thyrotoxicosis;
• hypoglycemia;
• arterial hypotension;
• vasomotor rhinitis;
• myasthenia gravis.

Contraindicated use of drops of Timolol to people who are hypersensitive to any components of the drug.

In pregnancy

The action of timolol on intrauterine development of the child has not been fully studied.It is proved that the substance can pass the placental barrier. The use of drops for the eyes of Timolol is possible only in situations where the intended therapeutic effect exceeds the risk for fetal development.

In those cases where the drug was used, special control over the state of the mother and baby is required within a week after the birth of the child.

To small children

When treating children under the age of ten, the drops of Timolol are applied only in the form of a solution, 5%.It is allowed to dig in one drop twice a day. For older children with an inadequate therapeutic effect, it is permissible to use a solution of the same dose in the same dosage.

Possible complications caused by the drug

The use of eye drops of Timolol can cause a number of undesirable consequences.Local side effects:

• sensation of itching and irritation in the eye area;
• tear;
• redness in the mucous eye;
• photophobia;
• manifestations of blurred vision;
• blepharitis;
• keratitis;
• ptosis;
• diplopia.

If the drug is used for a long time, it is possible to develop superficial keratopathy. Systemic disorders:

• allergy;
• nasal congestion;
• nausea, vomiting);
• drowsiness;
• headache, dizziness;
• lowering blood pressure, slowing heart rate;
• AB blockade;
• bronchospasm, shortness of breath;
• erectile disfunction;
• tinnitus.

In case of an overdose of the drug, there may be general obscurability, which is characteristic of beta-blockers.In this case, rinse the eyes with water. If the undesirable effects are very strong, symptomatic therapy is performed.

Undesirable effects with the use of Timolol drops can occur with simultaneous use with adrenoblockers, glucocorticosteroids, inhibitors of cytochrome, muscle relaxants, diltiazem, verapamil.

Analogues

There are a number of drugs that can be prescribed when Timolol is not available for some reason.Medication analogs are Xalatan, Pilocarpine, Kosopt, Trusopt, Asopt, Okumed, Fotil, Proxodol, Blockadren, Timogexal, Arutimol, Oftenosin.

We also recommend reading the instructions for eye drops Arutimol.

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Video

conclusions

Eye drops Timolol belong to adrenoblocking drugs and are used when it is necessary to reduce intraocular pressure.Use the drug is necessary only for the purpose and under the supervision of an ophthalmologist. Drops of Timolol have a number of contraindications.With special care, the medicine is prescribed for pregnant women. It is important to accurately observe the dosage indicated in the appointment of a specialist and not engage in self-medication.