Ophthalmic timolol is used to treat glaucoma, a disorder that can cause progressive vision loss due to an increase in eye pressure. Timolol belongs to the beta-blocker drug family. It operates by lowering the eye’s pressure.

In addition to a solution (liquid), ophthalmic timolol is also available as a long-acting, extended-release solution that forms a gel (liquid that thickens to a gel when instilled in the eye). Once or twice daily, at times that are regular, timolol eye drops are often administered to manage eye pressure (about 4 weeks). Once a day after that, it might be infused. A once-daily injection of the timolol gel-forming solution is typical. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you do not understand, and carefully follow their instructions. Timolol should only be used as prescribed. Use only as directed by your doctor, either in the recommended amount or frequency.

Glaucoma is not cured with timolol eye drops or gel-forming solutions, but they can control it. Timolol should still be taken even if you feel OK. Without consulting your doctor, do not discontinue taking the drug.

Follow these instructions to administer the eye drops or eye gel:

• Use soap and water to thoroughly wash your hands.
• When using the gel-forming solution, tip the bottle upside down and give it a quick shake. (The eyedrops don’t need to be shaken.) Verify that the dropper’s end is not damaged or chipped.
• Eye drops and droppers must be kept clean; avoid contacting the dropper tip to your eye or anything else.
• Pull your lower eyelid down to create a pocket with your index finger while cocking your head back.
• With your other hand, place the dropper as near to your eye as you can without touching it, tip down.
• Place the hand’s remaining fingers to your face.
• If you’re using eye drops, squeeze the dropper slightly so that just one drop enters the space created by the lower eyelid. To determine whether you should press a particularly designated region on the bottle’s side or the bottom of the bottle so that a single drop spills out while using the gel-forming solution, refer to the instructions that came with your medication. Avoid squeezing the bottle’s sides if you’re using a bottle that needs to be pushed from the bottom. Your index finger should be taken off the lower eyelid.
• Tip your head down so that you are looking at the floor while closing your eyes for two to three minutes. Avoid blinking or squeezing your eyelids.
• Give the tear duct a slight squeeze with your finger.
• Use a tissue to remove any extra liquid from your face.
• Wait at least 5 minutes before administering the subsequent drop if you need to use more than one in the same eye.
• Replace and secure the dropper bottle’s cap. Never rinse or clean the dropper tip.
• To get rid of any medication, wash your hands.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you’re interested in using this drug for any other conditions.

Before using timolol eye drops or gel-forming solution,

• If you have any drug allergies, including those to beta blockers or timolol, inform your doctor and pharmacist right away.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all of the prescription and non-prescription medications you are taking, especially beta blockers like atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol (Cartrol), esmolol (Breviblic), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), sotalol (Betapace
• If you are using another topical eye medicine, provide it at least 10 minutes prior to or following the administration of timolol eye drops or gel-forming solution.
• Inform your doctor if you have diabetes, myasthenia gravis, thyroid, heart, or lung illness, congestive heart failure, or any of these conditions.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Timolol can cause pregnancy, so call your doctor right once if it does.
• Inform your doctor or dentist that you are using timolol if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.
  Ask your doctor if you can use the same timolol container after having eye surgery, an eye injury, or an eye infection
• while using timolol eye drops or gel-forming solution.
• You should be aware that when receiving treatment with timolol gel-forming solution, your vision may get blurry. Even if your eyesight is blurry, refrain from rubbing your eyes. If you are unable to see well, avoid using machinery or a car.
• If you wear soft contacts, take them out before applying timolol eye drops or a gel-forming solution, and wait 15 minutes before putting them back in.

You should take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If your next dose is approaching, skip the missed one and resume your regular dosing schedule. Do not provide a second dose to make up for a missed one.

Side effects from timolol eye drops or gel-forming solutions are possible. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Eye discomfort
• Dual perception
• Headache
• Depression
• Dizziness
• Nausea

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Timolol should not be used again if you suffer any of the following symptoms. Call your doctor right once.

• Irregular or slow heartbeat
• Having trouble breathing
• Unexpected weight gain
• Swelling in the lower legs or feet
• Fainting

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom). Get a new bottle if it turns murky or discoloured.

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments. To determine how you are responding to timolol, your doctor will prescribe a few eye exams.

Do not share your medication with anybody else. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.