What timolol eye drops are for
Timolol eye drops are a type of medicine called a beta blocker.
They are used to treat high pressure in your eyes, which is often caused by glaucoma. The eye drops lower the pressure.
You may need to use timolol eye drops in 1 or both eyes.
Timolol is often combined with other medicines in eye drops to treat high eye pressure.
How to use timolol eye drops
Timolol eye drops usually come in a small bottle with a dropper you squeeze to put the drops in your eye. Some can be used more than once, but others are for single use only.
Wash your hands before you put your eye drops in and follow the instructions that come with them.
After putting the drops in your eye, close your eye and gently press your finger into the corner of your eye (by your nose) for 2 minutes. This helps keep the drops in your eye.
Your doctor will tell you how many timolol eye drops to use each day and how long to use them.
Ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice if you're not sure how to use them or you have any problems using them.
Important: Infection risk
Do not use the eye drops if the dropper touches your fingers, eye or skin around your eye because you may get an infection. Contact your doctor to get more eye drops.
If you miss a dose of timolol eye drops
If you forget to use your timolol eye drops, use them as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose.
If it's nearly time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose at the usual time.
Do not take 2 doses to make up for a missed dose.
If you use too many timolol eye drops
Using too many timolol eye drops can be dangerous.
Urgent advice: Call NHS 111 if:
- you have used more than the prescribed dose of timolol eye drops or if you have swallowed any drops
If you're told to go to A&E, do not drive. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Bring the timolol eye drops packet or leaflet inside it, any remaining medicine, and any other medicines you take.
Side effects of timolol eye drops
Like all medicines, timolol eye drops can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
Side effects after using timolol eye drops can include:
- blurred vision
- eye irritation, such as burning, stinging, itching and redness
- headache
- feeling sick (nausea) and being sick (vomiting)
If you have blurred vision or other eye symptoms after using timolol eye drops, do not drive, ride a bike or use machinery until you no longer have these symptoms.
After using timolol eye drops, some of the medicine passes into your blood. This may cause other side effects, such as tummy ache, pins and needles and problems sleeping. But there's only a small chance of getting these additional side effects.
Non-urgent advice: Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if:
- you have any side effects that are bothering you or do not go away
They may be able to give you advice about how to reduce any side effects. Keep taking your medicine unless you’re advised to stop.
Find a pharmacySerious side effects
Timolol eye drops can sometimes cause more serious side effects, although most of them are rare.
Possible serious side effects of timolol eye drops include:
- an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) – causing symptoms such as a swollen throat or tongue, a raised, itchy rash and difficulty breathing
- eye pain, dry eyes, inflammation of the eye or eyelid, blurred or double vision that does not get better – these may be signs of a serious eye problem, such as an eye infection
- chest pain or a slow, fast or irregular heartbeat – these may be signs of a serious heart problem, such as a heart attack or heart rhythm problem
- being unable to move some or all of your body (paralysis), difficulty speaking or loss of consciousness, which may be symptoms of a stroke
Immediate action required: Call 999 if:
- you're using timolol eye drops and think you might be having anaphylaxis, a serious heart problem or a stroke
If you think you’re having any other serious side effect, call NHS 111.
More about side effects
These are not all the side effects of timolol eye drops.
For a full list, see the leaflet that comes with your medicine or search for your medicine on the electronic medicines compendium website.
You can report any side effects you get on the Yellow Card website
Who can and cannot use timolol eye drops
Most adults can use timolol eye drops. They’re sometimes prescribed for children.
Timolol eye drops are not suitable for everyone. For example, they may not be suitable if:
- you've had an allergic reaction or serious side effect from timolol, beta blockers, or other ingredients used in the eye drops
- you have a breathing problem, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- you have a heart condition, such as a slow or irregular heartbeat, or heart failure
- you’re having an operation
Before using timolol eye drops, tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions.
Breastfeeding and timolol eye drops
Tell your doctor if you're breastfeeding.
Timolol eye drops can be used while breastfeeding. The medicine can pass into breast milk in small amounts but it's unlikely to cause any side effects in your baby.
It's rare for breastfed babies to get any side effects of medicines you're using, but speak to a healthcare professional or call NHS 111 if you have any concerns about your baby.
Pregnancy and timolol eye drops
Tell your doctor if you're pregnant or you get pregnant while using timolol eye drops.
Timolol eye drops can be used during pregnancy if needed. Your doctor will talk to you about the risks and benefits of using them while you're pregnant.
Using timolol eye drops with other medicines, food and drink
There are some medicines, remedies and supplements that may not mix well with timolol eye drops.
These include:
- other types of beta blockers taken as tablets or used as eye drops
- medicines used to treat high blood pressure, such as nifedipine and clonidine
- any medicine that is used to treat diabetes
- digoxin, which is a medicine used to treat certain heart conditions
- medicines like adrenaline that are used to treat a severe allergic reaction
Before using timolol eye drops, tell your doctor if you're taking any other medicines, herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.
Food, drink and alcohol with timolol eye drops
You can eat and drink as normal while using timolol eye drops.
Find out more about your medicine
To find out more about your medicine, you can:
- check the leaflet that comes with it
- search for your medicine leaflet on the electronic medicines compendium website
- speak to a pharmacist or doctor for advice – if you recently started taking it, you can get help with newly prescribed medicines from a pharmacist as part of the New Medicine Service