Timolol is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Timolol is sometimes given with other blood pressure medication.

Timolol is also used to lower the risk of death after a heart attack, or to lower the risk of having another heart attack.

Timolol is also used to prevent migraine headaches.

Timolol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using timolol. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

You should not stop using timolol suddenly. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure: Keep using this medicine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.

If you are taking timolol to prevent migraine headaches: It may take 6 to 8 weeks of daily use before timolol is fully effective. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if you still have migraine headaches.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dose: 10 mg orally twice a day
Maintenance dose: 10 to 20 mg orally twice a day
Maximum dose: 30 mg orally twice a day

Comment:
-There should be an interval of at least 7 days between increases in dosages.
-This drug may be used with a thiazide diuretic or with other antihypertensive agents.

Use: For hypertension alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents, especially thiazide-type diuretics

Usual Adult Dose for Myocardial Infarction:

Initial dose: 10 mg orally twice a day

Use: For patients who have survived the acute phase of myocardial infarction, and are clinically stable, to reduce cardiovascular mortality and the risk of reinfarction

Usual Adult Dose for Migraine Prophylaxis:

Initial dose: 10 mg orally twice a day
Maintenance dose: 10 to 30 mg given in 1 to 2 divided doses

Use: For the prophylaxis of migraine headache

You should not use timolol if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing disorder;

• a serious heart condition such as "AV block" (second or third degree);

• very slow heartbeats;

• heart failure; or

• if your heart cannot pump blood properly.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• congestive heart failure;

• coronary artery disease (hardened arteries);

• diabetes;

• overactive thyroid;

• liver or kidney disease;

• myasthenia gravis or other muscle disorders;

• allergies (or if you are undergoing allergy treatments or skin-testing);

• peripheral vascular disease such as Raynaud's syndrome; or

• a condition for which you are being treated with IV heart or blood pressure medication (such as diltiazem, nicardipine, or verapamil).

It is not known whether timolol will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Timolol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

Timolol is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Timolol may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• new or worsening chest pain;

• slow or uneven heartbeats;

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain;

• muscle weakness;

• drooping eyelids, vision problems; or

• a cold feeling in your hands and feet.

Common side effects of timolol may include:

• slow heartbeats;

• dizziness; or

• tiredness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• digoxin, digitalis;

• heart or blood pressure medication--clonidine, diltiazem, nicardipine, nifedipine, reserpine, quinidine, verapamil, and others; or

• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect timolol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will need to determine your response to timolol. Your doctor may ask you to check your pulse (heart rate). Ask your pharmacist or doctor to teach you how to take your pulse. If your pulse is faster or slower than it should be, call your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

• Timolide® (containing Hydrochlorothiazide, Timolol)