timolol maleate at a glance
Medicine class
Non-selective beta blocker
Eye-treatment role
Reduces raised pressure inside the eye in glaucoma and ocular hypertension
Tablet roles
Licensed for hypertension, angina, care after myocardial infarction and migraine prevention
What is timolol maleate used for?
Licensed uses depend on the formulation and product.
Eye solution: raised intraocular pressure in ocular hypertension, chronic open-angle glaucoma—including in aphakic patients—and some secondary glaucomas.
Single-dose eye gel: raised intraocular pressure in ocular hypertension and chronic open-angle glaucoma.
Tablets: hypertension and angina caused by ischaemic heart disease.
Tablets: reducing mortality and further infarction after an acute myocardial infarction.
Tablets: preventing migraine attacks.
How does timolol maleate work?
Timolol blocks beta-adrenoceptors. In the eye, this reduces aqueous fluid production and lowers intraocular pressure, with little or no effect on pupil size. Systemically, beta blockade slows cardiac activity and reduces the heart’s workload.
timolol maleate preparations and strengths
Eye drops
Route: Ophthalmic
Strengths: 2.5 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL, 0.25%, 0.25% w/v, 0.5%, 0.5% w/v
How to take timolol maleate
Follow the product label and prescriber’s directions because tablets, eye solutions and eye gels are not interchangeable.
For eye preparations, wash your hands and avoid touching the eye, eyelid or any surface with the container tip.
After applying an eye preparation, close the eye and gently press the inner corner beside the nose to limit absorption into the bloodstream.
Use a single-dose gel container immediately after opening, then discard it even if some gel remains.
For the preserved multidose eye solution, remove soft contact lenses before use and follow its leaflet before reinserting them.
Avoid contact lenses with the selected single-dose eye gel.
If using other eye preparations, separate them as instructed and apply the gel last.
Do not stop tablets or eye treatment suddenly without discussing this with the prescriber.
timolol maleate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Eye burning, stinging, itching, redness or watering
- Eye discomfort or pain
- Inflamed or swollen eyelids
- Conjunctivitis or eye discharge
Get urgent medical advice
- Wheezing, bronchospasm or breathing difficulty
- Markedly slow or irregular heartbeat, fainting or worsening heart failure
- Chest pain
- Severe allergic reaction, including facial or throat swelling
- Severe hypoglycaemia with masked warning signs
timolol maleate in pregnancy
Timolol eye preparations may be used in pregnancy when recommended by a doctor. Systemic exposure is small, but evidence is limited and glaucoma treatment should be reviewed with eye and maternity teams. The selected tablet product lists pregnancy as a contraindication, so oral treatment requires specialist review rather than abrupt discontinuation.
timolol maleate while breastfeeding
Only tiny amounts are expected in milk after eye use, and adverse effects in a healthy infant are unlikely. Seek advice if the infant is premature, unwell, feeding poorly or unusually sleepy. The selected tablet product does not recommend breastfeeding during oral treatment, so specialist consideration may be needed.
timolol maleate interactions
Interactions remain possible with eye preparations because some timolol reaches the circulation.
Other beta blockers
Combined treatment can cause excessive beta blockade, including slow heartbeat and low blood pressure. Two topical beta blockers are not recommended.
Verapamil, diltiazem and other rate-limiting calcium-channel blockers
Additive effects may cause hypotension, conduction disturbance, marked bradycardia or heart failure.
Common questions about timolol maleate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can timolol maleate eye drops affect the heart or lungs?
Yes. Some timolol is absorbed into the bloodstream, so slow heartbeat, low blood pressure, wheezing and breathing problems can occur, although systemic reactions are less frequent than with tablets.
Can timolol maleate be used by someone with asthma?
The selected products contraindicate use in asthma or a history of asthma because beta blockade can trigger serious bronchospasm.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.