An Introduction to Side Effects of Timolol
Just like any medicine,
timolol (
Betimol®,
Blocadren®,
Istalol®,
Timoptic®) can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes the medication will have problems. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with timolol. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of timolol side effects with you.)
Common Timolol Side Effects
Timolol has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials. In these studies, the side effects that occurred in a group of people taking the drug were documented and compared to those that occurred in another group of people taking either a similar medication or, in some cases, a placebo (a "sugar pill" that does not contain any active ingredients). As a result, it was possible to see what side effects occurred, how often they appeared, and how they compared to the group not taking the medicine.
In these studies, the most common side effects of timolol tablets included:
- A slow heart rate (bradycardia) -- in up to 9.1 percent of people
- Heart failure -- up to 8 percent
- Cold hands and feet -- up to 8 percent
- Nausea or other digestive problems -- up to 8 percent
- Dizziness -- up to 6 percent
- Weakness or fatigue -- up to 5 percent.
The most common side effects of timolol eyedrops included:
- Eye burning
- Eye stinging
- Blurred vision.
For more information on these potential problems, see the following eMedTV articles:
