Timoptic (Timolol Maleate)

(℞) Prescription Required

Top Brand Choice
Top Generic Choice

Timolol Maleate 0.25%

Product of United Kingdom
Manufactured by: UK Various Generics
*Product image for reference use only.
Select Quantity
Timolol Maleate 0.25%
Product of United Kingdom
Manufactured by UK Various Generics
Top Brand Choice
Top Generic Choice

Timolol Maleate 0.25%

Product of Canada
Manufactured by: Sandoz
*Product image for reference use only.
Select Quantity
Timolol Maleate 0.25%
Product of Canada
Manufactured by Sandoz
Top Brand Choice
Top Generic Choice

Timolol Maleate 0.5%

Product of Canada
Manufactured by: Sandoz
*Product image for reference use only.
Select Quantity
Timolol Maleate 0.5%
Product of Canada
Manufactured by Sandoz
Top Brand Choice
Top Generic Choice

Timoptic Eye Drops 0.5%

Product of Canada
Manufactured by: Purdue Pharma
*Product image for reference use only.
Select Quantity
Timoptic Eye Drops 0.5%
Product of Canada
Manufactured by Purdue Pharma
Top Brand Choice
Top Generic Choice

Timoptic Eye Drops 0.5%

Product of India
Manufactured by: Allergan Inc.
*Product image for reference use only.
Select Quantity
Timoptic Eye Drops 0.5%
Product of India
Manufactured by Allergan Inc.
Top Brand Choice
Top Generic Choice

Timolol Maleate 0.5%

Product of India
Manufactured by: FDC Limited
*Product image for reference use only.
Select Quantity
Timolol Maleate 0.5%
Product of India
Manufactured by FDC Limited
Select your dosage

Timoptic (timolol maleate) Dosage and Side Effects

TIMOPTIC belongs to the family of medications called beta-blockers. TIMOPTIC eye drops are used to treat glaucoma and increased pressure in the eye. This medication works by reducing the production of fluid in the eye, thereby lowering the pressure in the eye.

Warnings and Precautions

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in this drug information. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are using this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to use this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

Do not use this medication if you:

  • are allergic to the medication or any ingredient of the medication
  • are in overt heart failure or cardiogenic shock (shock due to heart-related causes)
  • have an extremely slow heart rate or serious heart block
  • have asthma or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (e.g., emphysema, chronic bronchitis)

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Contact lenses: There are preservatives present in both formulations of TIMOPTIC eye drops. These preservatives may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Contact lenses should be removed before using TIMOPTIC drops and not re-inserted until at least 15 minutes after use.

Diabetes: Beta-blockers such as TIMOPTIC may mask the signs and symptoms of acute hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). People with diabetes prone to hypoglycemia or who are receiving insulin or hypoglycemic medications should monitor blood glucose regularly.

General: As with other topically applied eye drops, this medication may be absorbed into the blood circulation. The same side effects reported with oral medications from the family known as beta-blockers (e.g., timolol, propranolol, metoprolol) may occur with the eye drops.

Heart failure: People with heart failure should be carefully monitored by their doctors while using TIMOPTIC eye drops.

Overactive thyroid: TIMOPTIC may mask the signs of overactive thyroid. People who have this condition or are prone to developing it should be carefully monitored by their doctors.

Pregnancy: TIMOPTIC has not been studied for use by pregnant women. This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks.

Breast-feeding: This medication passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: TIMOPTIC eye drops are not currently recommended for use by children.

Side Effects

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who uses this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people using this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

  • blurred vision (temporary) after putting in the eye drop
  • decreased night vision
  • double vision
  • dry, red eyes
  • stinging of eye or other eye irritation (when medication is applied)

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

  • low blood pressure
  • shortness of breath or any difficulty breathing
  • signs of an allergy such as swelling of the mouth, shortness of breath, hives, severe itching, and rash
  • slow heartbeat

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Interactions with this medication

There may be an interaction between TIMOPTIC and any of the following:

  • calcium channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil)
  • clonidine
  • epinephrine
  • ergot alkaloids (e.g., dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methysergide)
  • guanethidine
  • insulin
  • metformin
  • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs; e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen, indomethacin)
  • other beta-blockers (e.g., betaxolol, levobunolol)
  • prazosin
  • quinidine
  • reserpine
  • terazosin
  • theophylline

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

  • stop taking one of the medications,
  • change one of the medications to another,
  • change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
  • leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Proper Use of this medication

The usual starting dose is one drop of TIMOPTIC 0.25% solution in the affected eye(s) twice daily. If the response to the drops is not adequate, your doctor may change the dose to one drop of TIMOPTIC 0.5% solution in each of the affected eye twice daily.

Before each use, invert the closed container and shake once. Avoid allowing the tip of the dispensing container to touch the eye or around the eye. Eye solutions, if handled improperly, can become contaminated by common bacteria known to cause eye infections. Serious damage to the eye and loss of vision may result from using contaminated solutions.

If more than one type of eye drop is being used, the different eye drops should be administered at least 10 minutes apart.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, use it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not instill a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and keep it out of the reach of children. The contents should not be used for more than one month after the date on which the container is first opened.

This medication is available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms listed here. The forms available for the specific brand you have searched are listed under "What form(s) does this medication come in?"

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Other related products

Sign up to receive exclusive discounts & offers, medication updates, & health news delivered to your inbox.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Back to top