Timoptol Special Precautions

Talk to the doctor before taking Timoptol if with current or past: coronary heart disease (symptoms can include chest pain or tightness, breathlessness or choking), heart failure; low blood pressure; disturbances of heart rate such as slow heartbeat; breathing problems, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; poor blood circulation disease (such as Raynaud's disease or Raynaud's syndrome); diabetes as timolol may mask signs and symptoms of low blood sugar; overactivity of the thyroid gland as timolol may mask signs and symptoms; wearing of soft contact lenses (see Timoptol contains benzalkonium chloride and phosphates as follows).
Tell the doctor that Timoptol is being used before having an operation as timolol may change effects of some medicines used during anaesthesia.
If the eye becomes irritated or any new eye problems occur, talk to the doctor straight away. Eye problems could include redness of the eye or swelling of the eyelids (see Side Effects).
If it is suspected that Timoptol is causing an allergic reaction or hypersensitivity (for example, skin rash, or redness and itching of the eye), stop using Timoptol and contact the doctor immediately.
Tell the doctor if: an eye infection occurs; the eye is injured or there had been an operation on it; the eye problems get worse or any new symptoms occur.
Timoptol contains benzalkonium chloride and phosphates: This medicine contains 0.10 mg/ml benzalkonium chloride as a preservative. Benzalkonium chloride may be absorbed by soft contact lenses and may change the colour of the contact lenses. The patient should remove contact lenses before using this medicine and put them back 15 minutes afterwards.
Benzalkonium chloride may also cause eye irritation, especially if the patient has dry eyes or disorders of the cornea (the clear layer at the front of the eye). If abnormal eye sensation, stinging or pain in the eye is felt after using this medicine, talk to the doctor.
Timoptol 0.5% contains disodium phosphate dodecahydrate and sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate. If the patient suffers from severe damage to the clear layer at the front of the eye (the cornea), phosphates may cause in very rare cases cloudy patches on the cornea due to calcium build-up during treatment.
Driving and using machines: There are possible side effects associated with Timoptol, such as dizziness, tiredness and changes in eyesight, such as blurred vision, drooping of the upper eyelid (making the eye stay half closed), double vision which may affect the ability to drive and/or operate machinery. Do not drive and/or operate machinery until feeling well and vision is clear.
Use in Children: There is only very limited data available on the use of timolol in infants and children. For example, in one small clinical study, timolol, the active ingredient in Timoptol eye drops, has been studied in infants and children aged 12 days to 5 years, who have elevated pressure in the eye(s) or have been diagnosed with glaucoma. For more information, talk to the doctor.
Timoptol should generally be used with caution in young patients. In newborns, infants and younger children, Timoptol should be used with extreme caution. If coughing, wheezing, abnormal breathing or abnormal pauses in breathing (apnoea) occur, the use of the medication should be stopped immediately. Contact the doctor as soon as possible. A portable apnoea monitor may also be helpful.