timolol

What is the most important information I should know about timolol?

Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

What is timolol?

Timolol is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Timolol is sometimes given with other blood pressure medication.

Timolol is also used to lower the risk of death after a heart attack, or to lower the risk of having another heart attack.

Timolol is also used to prevent migraine headaches.

Timolol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking timolol?

• asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing disorder;
• a serious heart condition such as "AV block" (second or third degree);
• very slow heartbeats;
• heart failure; or
• if your heart cannot pump blood properly.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• congestive heart failure;
• coronary artery disease (hardened arteries);
• diabetes;
• overactive thyroid;
• liver or kidney disease;
• myasthenia gravis or other muscle disorders;
• allergies (or if you are undergoing allergy treatments or skin-testing);
• peripheral vascular disease such as Raynaud's syndrome; or
• a condition for which you are being treated with IV heart or blood pressure medication (such as diltiazem, nicardipine, or verapamil).

How should I take timolol?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using timolol. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure: Keep using this medicine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.

If you are taking timolol to prevent migraine headaches: It may take 6 to 8 weeks of daily use before timolol is fully effective. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if you still have migraine headaches.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking timolol?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What are the possible side effects of timolol?

• new or worsening chest pain;
• slow or uneven heartbeats;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain;
• muscle weakness;
• drooping eyelids, vision problems; or
• a cold feeling in your hands and feet.

Common side effects may include:

• slow heartbeats;
• dizziness; or
• tiredness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect timolol?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• digoxin, digitalis;
• heart or blood pressure medication --clonidine, diltiazem, nicardipine, nifedipine, reserpine, quinidine, verapamil, and others; or
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) --aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect timolol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about timolol.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 11.01. Revision date: 1/24/2022.