Dosage and strength
How much timolol you take depends on why you need it.
Timolol comes as 10mg tablets.
Dose for high blood pressure
You’ll usually start on 10mg, taken once a day or split into 5mg twice a day. If this dose does not lower your blood pressure, your doctor may increase it to up to 60mg a day.
Your doctor or pharmacist will explain how to split the dose over the day.
Dose for chest pain (angina)
You'll usually start on 5mg twice a day. If this dose does not improve your angina, your doctor may increase it up to 30mg, twice a day.
Dose for preventing future heart attacks
You'll usually start on 5mg twice a day but to get the full benefit your doctor may increase it up to 10mg, twice a day.
Dose for preventing migraine
You'll usually take 10mg or 20mg a day. Your doctor or pharmacist will explain how to split the dose over the day.
How to take it
You'll usually take your timolol tablets once or twice a day.
When you start taking them, your doctor may advise you to take your first dose before bedtime because it can make you feel dizzy. If you do not feel dizzy after your first dose, you can start to take your medicine in the morning.
If you're taking timolol tablets twice a day, you'll usually take 1 dose in the morning and 1 dose in the evening. It's a good idea to leave 10 to 12 hours between doses if you can.
Timolol does not usually upset your stomach, so you can take it with or without food.
Swallow your tablets whole with a drink of water. Do not chew or crush them.
If you find them difficult to swallow, some brands have a score line to help you break the tablet in half. Check the information leaflet for your brand to see if you can do this.
How long to take it for
This depends on why you're taking timolol.
If you're taking the tablets for a heart condition or high blood pressure, treatment is usually long term and may be for the rest of your life.
If you're taking timolol tablets for migraines, treatment can last for months or years, depending on how frequent your migraines are.
Do not stop taking your timolol tablets suddenly, especially if you have heart disease. This can make your condition worse.
If you want to stop taking your medicine, speak to your doctor. They may recommend reducing your dose gradually over a few weeks.
If you forget to take it
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember that day, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed one and take your next dose at the usual time.
Never take 2 doses at the same time or take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.
If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.
If you take too much
An overdose of timolol can:
- lower your blood pressure
- slow your heart rate
- make it difficult to breathe
The amount of timolol that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person.
Urgent advice: Contact 111 for advice now if:
- you've taken more than your prescribed dose of timolol
Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111
If you need to go to a A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.
Take the timolol packet, or the leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine with you.