Timolol Maleate 0.25% Ophthalmic Solution (5ml Bottle)

IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.

TIMOLOL SOLUTION - OPHTHALMIC

(TIE-moh-lohl)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Timoptic

USES: This medication is used to treat high pressure inside the eye due to glaucoma (open angle-type) or other eye diseases (e.g., ocular hypertension). Lowering high pressure inside the eye helps to prevent blindness. This medication works by decreasing the amount of fluid within the eye. Timolol belongs to a class of drugs known as beta-blockers.

HOW TO USE: This medication may come with a Patient Information Leaflet. Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using timolol and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions regarding the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist. This medication is for use in the eye(s), usually one drop in the affected eye(s) as directed by your doctor. To apply eye drops, wash your hands first. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface. The preservative in this product may be absorbed by contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses, remove them before using the eye drops. Wait at least 15 minutes after using this medication before putting in your contact lenses. Tilt your head back, look upward and pull down the lower eyelid to make a pouch. Hold the dropper directly over your eye and place one drop in your eye. Look downward and gently close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Place one finger at the corner of your eye (near the nose) and apply gentle pressure. Try not to blink and do not rub your eye. This will prevent the medication from draining out. Repeat these steps for your other eye if so directed. Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap after each use. If you are using another kind of eye medication (e.g., drops or ointments), wait at least 10 minutes before applying other medications. Use eye drops before eye ointments to allow the eye drops to enter the eye. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time(s) each day. It is important to continue using this medication even if you feel well. Most people with glaucoma or high pressure in the eyes do not feel sick.

SIDE EFFECTS: Temporary blurred vision, temporary burning/stinging/itching/redness of the eye, watery eyes, dry eyes, feeling as if something is in the eye, or headache may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: dizziness, eye pain/swelling/discharge, slow/irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, mental/mood changes, coldness/numbness/pain in the hands or feet. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: vision changes, unusual tiredness/weakness. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: trouble breathing, sudden unexplained weight gain, chest pain, weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, confusion, persistent dizziness, fainting. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

PRECAUTIONS: Before using timolol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as preservatives like benzalkonium chloride), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: lung disease (e.g., current or past history of asthma, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), certain types of irregular heartbeats (e.g., sinus bradycardia, second or third degree AV block), certain types of heart disease (e.g., severe heart failure, cardiogenic shock). Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, low blood flow to the brain (cerebrovascular insufficiency), overactive thyroid disease, muscle weakness disorders, severe allergies. If you develop an eye infection or injury, or have eye surgery, check with your doctor about whether you should continue to use your current bottle of timolol. You may be advised to start using a new bottle. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication. If you have diabetes, this medication may prevent the fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually feel when your blood sugar level falls too low (hypoglycemia). Other symptoms of low blood sugar, such as dizziness and sweating, are unaffected by this drug. This drug may cause temporary blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: oral beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol), calcium channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem, verapamil), clonidine, certain antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs such as fluoxetine), digoxin, epinephrine, fingolimod, methyldopa, quinidine, reserpine, theophylline. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If accidentally swallowed, you may experience symptoms such as trouble breathing or slow/irregular heartbeat.

NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., eye exams) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE: Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Refer to storage information printed on the bottle for the exact temperature range. If you have any questions about storage, ask your pharmacist. Avoid freezing. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. This product is normally a colorless to light yellow solution. Discard the solution if it changes color, becomes cloudy, or develops particles. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised August 2012. Copyright(c) 2012 First Databank, Inc.