Timolol Maleate

Timolol Maleate is a ophthalmic beta-blocker medicine available in Bangladesh under many brand names. Below are its uses, dosage, side effects and precautions — and all brands with their current prices.

• Reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with ocular hypertension.
• Treatment of chronic open-angle glaucoma.
• May be used as part of glaucoma treatment when a doctor considers it appropriate.

For adults, Timolol Maleate eye drops are usually applied to the affected eye as prescribed, commonly once or twice daily depending on the strength and the patient’s response. Use exactly as directed by the doctor. Do not change the dose, stop treatment, or use it in both eyes unless instructed. After applying the drop, gently close the eye and press the inner corner near the nose for 1–2 minutes to reduce systemic absorption.

• Common: temporary burning or stinging, eye irritation, redness, dry eyes, watery eyes, blurred vision, or foreign-body sensation.
• Less common: headache, dizziness, tiredness, altered taste, or sensitivity to light.
• Serious: wheezing or shortness of breath, slow heartbeat, low blood pressure, fainting, worsening heart failure, chest pain, severe allergic reaction, or marked eye pain/vision changes. Seek urgent medical help if these occur.

Use with caution in people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, slow heartbeat, heart block, heart failure, low blood pressure, diabetes, overactive thyroid, poor circulation, myasthenia gravis, or a history of severe allergy. Tell the doctor before surgery or anesthesia that this medicine is being used. Contact lenses should generally be removed before applying drops and reinserted only after the advised interval, especially if the product contains preservatives. Use this medicine under the guidance of a registered doctor or pharmacist.

• Other beta-blockers, including oral beta-blockers or other beta-blocker eye drops, may increase the risk of slow heartbeat, low blood pressure, and breathing problems.
• Calcium-channel blockers such as verapamil or diltiazem, digoxin, and antiarrhythmic medicines may increase cardiac effects.
• Medicines that may enhance beta-blocker effects, such as quinidine, fluoxetine, or paroxetine, can increase systemic side effects.
• Clonidine: stopping clonidine suddenly while using a beta-blocker may worsen rebound high blood pressure.
• Adrenaline/epinephrine eye products may sometimes cause pupil dilation when used with timolol.
• If using more than one eye medicine, separate applications by at least 5 minutes or as advised by the doctor.

• Known allergy to timolol, other beta-blockers, or any component of the eye drop.
• Bronchial asthma or a history of asthma.
• Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other severe reactive airway disease.
• Sinus bradycardia, sick sinus syndrome, or second- or third-degree heart block without a pacemaker.
• Overt heart failure or cardiogenic shock.

During pregnancy, Timolol Maleate eye drops should be used only if the expected benefit justifies the potential risk and only on medical advice. Timolol can pass into breast milk; breastfeeding mothers should consult a doctor before use. Measures such as pressing the tear duct after instillation may reduce systemic absorption.

Store at room temperature, away from excessive heat, direct sunlight, and contamination. Keep the bottle tightly closed and out of reach of children. Do not touch the dropper tip to the eye, fingers, or any surface. Discard after the period recommended on the label or by the pharmacist after opening, and do not use if the solution changes color or becomes cloudy.