Like all medicines, timolol tablets can cause side effects in some people, but many people have no side effects or only minor ones.
Side effects often improve as your body gets used to the medicine.
Side effects
There are things you can do to help cope with these possible side effects of timolol tablets:
Feeling sleepy, tired or dizzy
As your body gets used to timolol, these side effects should wear off. If timolol makes you feel dizzy or weak, sit or lie down until you feel better. Do not drive, ride a bike, or use tools or machinery if you're feeling tired or dizzy. Do not drink alcohol as this can make you feel worse.
Cold fingers or toes
Put your hands or feet under warm running water, massage them, and wiggle your fingers and toes. Do not smoke or have drinks with caffeine in. Both of these can make your blood vessels narrower and restrict your blood flow. Smoking also makes your skin colder. Try wearing mittens (they're warmer than gloves) and warm socks. Do not wear tight watches or bracelets because it could affect your blood flow.
Feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food. It might help to take your timolol after a meal or snack.
If you're being sick, try drinking small, frequent sips of water. Speak to a pharmacist if you have signs of dehydration, such as peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat vomiting without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
If you take the combined contraceptive pill or progestogen-only pill and you're being sick, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.
Diarrhoea
Drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee.
Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
If you take the combined contraceptive pill or progestogen-only pill and you have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.
Stomach pain
Try to rest and relax. It can help to eat and drink slowly and have smaller and more frequent meals. Putting a heat pad or covered hot water bottle on your stomach may also help.
If you are in a lot of pain, speak to your pharmacist or doctor.
Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.
Serious side effects
It happens rarely, but some people have serious side effects when taking timolol tablets.
Tell your doctor or call 111 straight away if you have:
- shortness of breath with a cough that gets worse when you exercise (like walking up stairs), swollen ankles or legs or an irregular heartbeat – these can be signs of heart problems
- shortness of breath, wheezing and tightening of the chest – these can be signs of lung problems
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- you get chest pain that does not stop after a few minutes, or is new or worse if you already have angina - chest pain is a possible sign of a heart attack and needs to be checked as soon as possible
Serious allergic reaction
In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to timolol tablets.
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
- your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
- your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- someone faints and cannot be woken up
- a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.
These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Other side effects
These are not all the side effects of timolol tablets. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.
You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.