brimonidine tartrate + timolol maleate at a glance
Medicine class
Combined alpha-2 adrenergic agonist and non-selective beta blocker.
Main role
Reduces raised pressure in chronic open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension when beta-blocker eye drops alone are insufficient.
Contact lenses
Remove soft lenses before use and wait at least 15 minutes before replacing them.
What is brimonidine tartrate + timolol maleate used for?
Licensed to reduce pressure inside the eye in:
Chronic open-angle glaucoma that has responded insufficiently to topical beta blockers.
Ocular hypertension that has responded insufficiently to topical beta blockers.
How does brimonidine tartrate + timolol maleate work?
Brimonidine reduces aqueous-humour production and increases its drainage through the uveoscleral pathway. Timolol blocks beta receptors and reduces aqueous-humour production. Together, these actions lower pressure inside the eye.
brimonidine tartrate + timolol maleate preparations and strengths
Eye drops
Route: Ophthalmic
Strengths: 2 mg/mL + 5 mg/mL
How to take brimonidine tartrate + timolol maleate
Use exactly as prescribed and follow the leaflet supplied with the product.
Wash your hands before use.
Do not let the bottle tip touch the eye, eyelids, fingers or another surface.
After application, close the eye or gently press the corner beside the nose for two minutes to reduce absorption into the bloodstream.
Remove soft contact lenses before application and wait at least 15 minutes before replacing them.
Do not drive or operate machinery until temporary blurred vision, tiredness or drowsiness has cleared.
brimonidine tartrate + timolol maleate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Eye redness, burning, stinging, itching or irritation
- Dry or watery eyes, eye discharge or a foreign-body sensation
- Allergic conjunctivitis or eyelid irritation and swelling
- Visual disturbance
- Headache or drowsiness
- Dry mouth, tiredness or weakness
Get urgent medical advice
- Swelling of the face or throat, widespread rash, wheezing or breathing difficulty
- Chest pain, fainting, or marked slowing or irregularity of the heartbeat
- Bronchospasm or worsening breathlessness
- Severe eye pain, persistent visual deterioration or significant ocular inflammation
brimonidine tartrate + timolol maleate in pregnancy
Evidence for the fixed combination is limited, particularly for brimonidine. It should be used only when clearly necessary following review by the eye specialist and maternity team. Evidence about timolol eye drops alone does not establish the safety of the combination.
brimonidine tartrate + timolol maleate while breastfeeding
The selected product information states that this combination should not be used while breastfeeding. It is unknown whether brimonidine passes into human milk; discuss an alternative with the prescriber.
brimonidine tartrate + timolol maleate interactions
Tell the prescriber and pharmacist about all eye drops and systemic medicines. Important interactions include:
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Contraindicated because brimonidine can interact with medicines affecting adrenergic transmission.
Tricyclic antidepressants and mianserin
Contraindicated because they affect noradrenergic transmission and may alter brimonidine's effects.
Other beta blockers, calcium-channel blockers, amiodarone, digoxin and related medicines
May add to beta blockade, causing marked slowing of the heart rate or low blood pressure.
Common questions about brimonidine tartrate + timolol maleate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can it affect the heart or lungs?
Yes. Some is absorbed into the bloodstream, so timolol can rarely cause beta-blocker effects such as slow heartbeat, low blood pressure or bronchospasm.
Can I use it if I have asthma?
It is contraindicated in people with current or previous bronchial asthma and in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Can I wear contact lenses?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.