Timolol

CAUTION:
Do not discontinue taking timolol without informing your doctor first. If timolol is stopped suddenly, it may cause chest pain or heart attack in some people.

General Information and Indications:

Timolol is used to treat high blood pressure. It also is used to prevent angina (chest pain) and heart attacks. It works by relaxing your blood vessels so your heart doesn't have to pump as hard. Timolol also is used to prevent migraine headaches.

Information For Users:

Timolol comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken one or two times a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you have any questions. Take timolol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your health care provider.

Timolol helps control your condition but will not cure it. Continue taking timolol even if you feel well. Do not discontinue taking timolol without informing your doctor.

special precautions:

o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergy to timolol or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), clonidine (Catapres), digoxin (Lanoxin), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), medications for glaucoma, nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), other medications for heart disease or high blood pressure, quinidine (Quinidex, Quinaglute Dura-Tabs), reserpine (Serpalan, Serpasil), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Verelan), and vitamins.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding asthma or other lung disease; heart, liver, or kidney disease; diabetes; severe allergies; muscle disease; or thyroid problems.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking timolol, call your doctor.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking timolol.
o you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
o remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.

Possible Adverse Effects:

Though adverse effects of timolol are not common, they could occur. Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go away:

o lightheadedness or dizziness
o extreme tiredness (fatigue)
o heartburn
o headache
o cold hands and feet

If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor without delay:

o difficulty breathing
o swelling of the feet or hands
o unusual weight gain
o chest pain
o slow, irregular heartbeat

Brand Name(s):

o Blocadren®
o Timolide®