This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.
Brand Names: US
Betimol; Istalol; Timolol Maleate Ocudose; Timoptic Ocudose; Timoptic [DSC]; Timoptic-XE [DSC]
Brand Names: Canada
APO-Timop; JAMP-Timolol; SANDOZ Timolol; Timolol Maleate-EX; Timoptic; Timoptic-XE
What is this drug used for?
- It is used to treat glaucoma.
- It is used to lower high eye pressure.
What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?
- If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
- If your child has any of these health problems: Breathing problems like asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), heart block, heart failure (weak heart), shock caused by heart problems, or slow heartbeat.
- If your child is using another drug like this one. If you are not sure, ask your child’s doctor or pharmacist.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?
- Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Have your child use care when doing tasks that call for clear eyesight.
- This drug may prevent some signs of low blood sugar like fast heartbeat. This may raise the risk of severe or long-lasting low blood sugar, especially in people with diabetes, children, and people who are fasting. This includes people who are having surgery, are not eating like normal, or are throwing up. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
- If your child has high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your child’s blood sugar closely.
- Have your child’s eye pressure and eyesight checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
- Tell the doctor if your child has an eye infection, eye injury, or will be having eye surgery.
- Severe breathing problems have rarely happened in people using this drug. Sometimes, this has been deadly in people with asthma. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
- This drug may make it harder to tell if your child has signs of an overactive thyroid like fast heartbeat. If your child has an overactive thyroid and stops taking this drug all of a sudden, it may get worse and could be life-threatening. Talk with the doctor.
- If your child has had a very bad allergic reaction, talk with the doctor. Your child may have a chance of an even worse reaction if your child comes into contact with what caused the allergy. If your child uses epinephrine to treat very bad allergic reactions, talk with the doctor. Epinephrine may not work as well while your child is taking this drug.
If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:
- Talk with the doctor if your child is pregnant, becomes pregnant, or is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to your child and the baby.
What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
- Change in eyesight, eye pain, or severe eye irritation.
- Very bad dizziness or passing out.
- Slow heartbeat.
- A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
- Chest pain.
- Muscle weakness.
- Heart failure has rarely happened in people taking this drug. Sometimes, this has been deadly. Call your child’s doctor right away if your child has shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:
- Burning or stinging.
- Eye irritation.
- Dry eyes.
- Feeling that something is in the eye.
- Dizziness or headache.
- Signs of a common cold.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
How is this drug best given?
Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
All products:
- For the eye only.
- Keep using this drug as you have been told by your child’s doctor or other health care provider, even if your child’s signs get better.
- Give this drug at the same time of day.
- Have your child take out contact lenses before using this drug. Lenses may be put back in 15 minutes after this drug is given. Do not put lenses back in if your child’s eyes are irritated or infected.
- Do not touch the container tip to your child’s eye, lid, or other skin. This could lead to bacteria in the drug, which may cause severe eye problems or loss of eyesight.
- Tilt your child’s head back and drop drug into the eye.
- After giving this drug, ask your child to keep eyes closed. Put light pressure on the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 1 to 2 minutes. This keeps the drug in your child’s eye.
- Blot extra solution from the eyelid.
Solution:
- If more than 1 drug is being used in the same eye, use each drug at least 5 minutes apart.
- Some products are for use in the morning if using once a day. For some products it does not matter. Check with the pharmacist about how to use this drug.
Unit-dose:
- Throw away any part left over after the dose is given.
Gel-forming solution:
- Turn container upside down and shake once before each use.
- Use other eye drugs 10 minutes before the gel.
What do I do if my child misses a dose?
- Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your child’s next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child’s normal time.
- Do not give 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
Unit-dose:
- Store foil pouch at room temperature. Throw away any unused portion of opened pouch after 30 days.
- Store unused containers in foil pouch until use.
All other products:
- Store in an upright position at room temperature.
All products:
- Do not freeze.
- Protect from light.
- Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
General drug facts
- If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
- Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.
Last Reviewed Date
2024-05-10
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