Drug
Timolol Maleate
Pronounced
"TIH-moe-lole"
Uses
Timolol is used with or without other medications to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. This medication is also used after a heart attack to help prevent another heart attack from occurring.
This medication belongs to a class of drugs known as beta blockers. It works by blocking the action of certain natural chemicals in your body such as epinephrine on the heart and blood vessels. This effect lowers the heart rate, blood pressure, and strain on the heart.
This medication is also used to prevent migraine headaches.
Warning
Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when you suddenly stop this drug. Some people who have suddenly stopped taking similar drugs have had chest pain, heart attack, and irregular heartbeat. If your doctor decides you should no longer use this drug, your doctor may direct you to gradually decrease your dose over 1 to 2 weeks.
When gradually stopping this medication, it is recommended that you temporarily limit physical activity to decrease strain on the heart. Get medical help right away if you develop chest pain/tightness/pressure, chest pain spreading to the jaw/neck/arm, unusual sweating, trouble breathing, or fast/irregular heartbeat.
Other Uses
This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
This drug may also be used to reduce the risk of chest pain (chronic stable angina).
How to Use This Medication
See also Warning section.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once or twice a day. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day.
For the treatment of high blood pressure, it may take several weeks before you get the full benefit of this drug. Keep taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick.
To prevent chest pain or migraine headaches, it is very important to take this medication regularly as prescribed. This drug should not be used to treat chest pain or migraines when they occur. Use other medications to relieve sudden attacks as directed by your doctor (for example, nitroglycerin tablets placed under the tongue for chest pain, "triptan" drugs such as sumatriptan for migraines). Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better or if it gets worse (for example, your blood pressure readings remain high or increase, your chest pain or migraines occur more often).