The Effects of Timolol on Glaucoma

Timolol, also referred to as Timoptic, is medication used in the treatment of glaucoma-related elevated eye pressure. According to RxList, this medication is classified as a beta-blocker. By lowering eye pressure, this medications also aids in preventing blindness.

Effects

• According to Stason, timolol will aid in controlling the eye pressure associated with glaucoma. It will aid in reducing the build-up of fluid that leads to an increase in eye pressure, thus preventing glaucoma. It will help to improve aqueous fluid (the fluid in the eyes) drainage from the eye ball as well.

Administration

• Timolol is a medication that comes in the form of a liquid. It is administered as an eye drop directly into the affected eyes. According to RxList, most patients will only use one drop at a time per eye, if both eyes require it. Patients who wear contact lenses should remove them prior to administering the eye drops and they should wait at least fifteen minutes before putting their contact lenses back in.

Side Effects

• When using timolol for glaucoma patients may experience side effects. According to RxList, the common side effects may include temporary blurred vision, drowsiness, temporary stinging/redness/burning/itching in the eye the medication is applied to, dizziness, watery eyes, headache, feeling like there is something within the eye and dry eyes.

  The more serious side effects include vision changes, fainting, abnormal weakness, persistent dizziness, abnormal tiredness, confusion, trouble breathing, slurred speech, unexplained weight gain that occurs suddenly, weakness affecting one side of the body and chest pain.

Contraindications

• Timolol is contraindicated for use in patient's with certain medical conditions. According to RxList, these include lung disease, heart disease, irregular heartbeats, kidney disease, severe allergies diabetes, disorders causing muscle weakness, decreased flow of blood to the brain and overactive thyroid.

Drug Interactions

• Patients taking other medications may not be able to take timolol because of the risk of interactions. According to RxList, the drugs that could possibly interact include oral beta-blockers, theophylline, calcium channel blockers, reserpine, clonidine, quinidine, antidepressants, methyldopa, diabetes medications, epinephrine and digoxin.

Warnings

• Timolol can cause dizziness so patients should be careful if they need to drive or perform other similar activities. Pregnant women may not be able to take this medication. According to RxList, this medication does pass into breast milk so breastfeeding women are advised not to use it.