TimOptic: Medication for Glaucoma Treatment

If you are a patient with chronic open-angle glaucoma, aphakic glaucoma, secondary glaucoma, and patients requiring lowering of intraocular pressure, your doctor may have prescribed to you Timoptic or Timoptic XR. Both are also known as Timolol Maleate, and may greatly benefit your condition.

The ophthalmic solution of Timoptic comes in 0.25% strength as well as 0.5% strength. Timoptic is available in the Ocudose patient compliance bottle as well. Timoptic also comes in an ophthalmic gel (Timoptic-XE). This gel comes in 0.25% strength, as well as 0.5% strength.

To use Timoptic, instill one drop of 0.25% Timoptic solution into the affected eye or eyes, twice a day. If there is little or no effect using this Timoptic strength, the dosage may be increased to one drop of 0.5% Timoptic solution into the affected eye(s) twice a day. If intraocular pressure is maintained at levels that are satisfactory, the dosage schedule may be reduced to one drop instilled only one time a day.

The Timolol Maleate in Timoptic belongs to a group of medicines known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, or more commonly, beta blockers. These drugs work by controlling nerve impulses along certain nerve pathways, and thus reducing elevated pressure. The Timolol Maleate in Timoptic reduces the aqueous humor formation and helps increase the outflow of it to the eye.

Systemic beta-adrenergic blocking agents may produce additive effects. If you are a patient with bronchia asthma or a history of bronchia asthma, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sinus bradycardia, second and third degree atrioventricular heart block, overt cardiac failure and cardiogenic shock, use Timoptic with extreme caution. Gradual withdrawal of therapy prior to surgery may be needed, because anesthetic effects may be lowered while using Timoptic. Beta-adrenergic agents may hide the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia which should be a warning to patients who are receiving treatment for diabetes mellitus. Timoptic may mask the signs of overactive thyroid. If your doctor suspects you have excessive thyroid function, he or she will manage your case carefully to avoid such symptoms as rapid heartbeat, which can occur when the drug is withdrawn too abruptly.

Side effects that may occur are stinging and/or burning of the eyes upon instillation of Timoptic, irritation, headache, and signs of systemic absorptions. Signs of overdose of Timoptic include dizziness, heart failure, shortness of breath, slow heartbeat, and wheezing. If you feel as if you have used too much Timoptic, call your local poison control center or contact your doctor for assistance.

With regular use and if used in the correct way, Timoptic will reduce elevated intraocular pressure, as well as elevate your quality of life by helping you see without the pain and pressure you want relief from.