| Download the amazing global Makindo app: Android | Apple | |
|---|---|
| MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: Educational use only. Not for diagnosis or management. See below for full disclaimer. |
Timolol
📖 About
Always check the BNF entry here for the latest prescribing advice. Timolol is a non-selective beta-blocker used mainly in ophthalmology.
⚙️ Mode of Action
- Reduces aqueous humour production in the ciliary body 👁️ → lowers intraocular pressure.
- Does not affect pupil size or accommodation significantly.
💊 Indication & Typical Dose
- Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) & Ocular Hypertension.
- Typical starting dose: 1 drop of 0.25–0.5% solution in affected eye(s) twice daily. ⚠️ Always confirm dose and formulation in the BNF or local formulary.
🔗 Interactions
- See BNF for full details.
- Potential for additive bradycardia or hypotension when combined with systemic beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, digoxin, or antiarrhythmics.
⚠️ Cautions
- Systemic absorption may occur → monitor in patients with cardiovascular or respiratory disease.
- Elderly patients may be more sensitive to systemic beta-blockade.
🚫 Contraindications
- Asthma or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ❌.
- Sinus bradycardia, second- or third-degree AV block, overt cardiac failure.
💥 Side Effects
- Local: stinging, burning, dry eyes, blurred vision.
- Systemic (rare but reported): bronchospasm, bradycardia, hypotension, fatigue.
- Case reports exist of significant systemic effects despite ocular administration.
📚 References
- BNF – Timolol
- NICE Glaucoma Guideline (NG81)
| The content on this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only to support exam preparation (e.g., MLA, MRCP, USMLE) and learning. This is NOT medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional guidance. It does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional, official guidelines (e.g., NICE, GMC, BNF), or supervised clinical practice. Always verify information with current, authoritative sources. Makindo and its contributors accept no liability for any reliance on this content, including errors, omissions, or any resulting harm, loss, or consequences. By using this site, you agree to these terms. |
|
|
Categories
- A Level
- About
- Acute Medicine
- Anaesthetics and Critical Care
- Anatomy
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Book
- Cardiology
- Collections
- CompSci
- Crib Sheets
- Crib sheets
- Dental
- Dermatology
- Differentials
- Drugs
- ENT
- Education
- Electrocardiogram
- Embryology
- Emergency Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Ethics
- Foundation Doctors
- GCSE
- Gastroenterology
- General Practice
- Genetics
- Geriatric Medicine
- Guidelines
- Gynaecology
- Haematology
- Hepatology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Infographic
- Investigations
- Lists
- Mandatory Training
- Medical Students
- Microbiology
- Nephrology
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Nutrition
- OSCE
- OSCEs
- Obstetrics
- Obstetrics Gynaecology
- Oncology
- Ophthalmology
- Oral Medicine and Dentistry
- Orthopaedics
- Paediatrics
- Palliative
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
- Procedures
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
- Radiology
- Renal
- Respiratory
- Resuscitation
- Revision
- Rheumatology
- Statistics and Research
- Stroke
- Surgery
- Toxicology
- Trauma and Orthopaedics
- USMLE
- Urology
- Vascular Surgery