Pilocarpine+timolol
About
Pilocarpine+timolol is a combination drug containing 'ophthalmic medication' used to treat raised pressure in the eye in conditions such as ocular hypertension and glaucoma. Ocular hypertension is a condition in which the eye's pressure is higher than normal as a result of poor drainage of the aqueous humor (fluid inside the eye). Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the optic nerve is damaged due to abnormally high pressure inside the eye. If this condition is left untreated, it can lead to permanent vision loss.
Pilocarpine+timolol contains Pilocarpine and Timolol. Pilocarpine is a cholinergic agonist and works by draining the excess fluid from the eye, thereby reducing pressure. Timolol is a beta-blocker and works by decreasing the fluid production in the eye, thereby lowering the pressure in the eye. Pilocarpine+timolol should be used only in the infected eye, and contact with the normal eye should be avoided.
Use Pilocarpine+timolol exactly as prescribed by the doctor. The common side-effects of Pilocarpine+timolol are burning or stinging sensation, itching, irritation, and pain at the application site, swelling in front of the eye, headache and brow ache, bleeding within the front of the eye, and detachment of the retina (the inner surface of the eye). However, if any of these side effects persist or get worse, inform your doctor immediately.
It is not recommended to take Pilocarpine+timolol if you are allergic to any contents of it. Pilocarpine+timolol should not be used in patients with a medical history of respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchi), eye problems such as acute iritis (inflammation of the coloured part of the eye), or anterior uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye), secondary glaucoma (have an identifiable cause of optic nerve damage), and serious heart problems or heart rhythm problems. It should be used with caution in children or adolescents under the age of 18 years, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. Pilocarpine+timolol is probably safe when used in elderly patients. Pilocarpine+timolol may interact with alcohol, so do not consume alcohol while using this medicine. Pilocarpine+timolol may temporarily cause vision loss, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you experience blurred vision.
Uses of Pilocarpine+timolol
Medicinal Benefits
Pilocarpine+timolol is used to reduce pressure inside the eye. It works by decreasing the fluid production in the eye and increasing the natural flow of fluid from inside the eye into the bloodstream. These effects help to decrease the pressure and swelling inside the eye. It helps to improve vision and prevent the complications of ocular hypertension and glaucoma.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Pilocarpine+timolol
- Burning or stinging sensation in the eye
- Itching at the application site
- Eye irritation
- Eye pain
- Swelling in front of the eye
- Headache and brow ache
- Bleeding within the front of the eye
- Detachment of the retina (the innermost layer of the eye)
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Before taking Pilocarpine+timolol, inform your doctor if you have heart problems, asthma (inflammation of the airways), Parkinson's disease (a brain disorder), difficulty passing urine, hypertension (high blood pressure), stomach ulcer, coronary heart disease (characterized by chest pain, breathlessness, and choking), heart failure, low blood pressure, slow heartbeat, respiratory problems, and poor blood circulation. Inform your doctor immediately if you develop any eye problems such as irritation, redness, dry eyes, or eye infection, or if your condition worsens condition while using Pilocarpine+timolol. Inform your doctor if you have diabetes, or an overactive thyroid as timolol present in Pilocarpine+timolol may mask these conditions' symptoms.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Pilocarpine+timolol may interact with medicines used to treat allergies (cetirizine, diphenhydramine, and fexofenadine), a medicine used to treat myasthenia gravis (neostigmine), a medicine used to treat severe allergic reaction (adrenaline), medicines that dilate the pupil (atropine and phenylephrine), medicines used to treat Parkinson's disease (orphenadrine, procyclidine, trihexyphenidyl), medicines used to treat mental disorders (chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, and perphenazine, etc.), medicines used to treat high blood pressure (reserpine, verapamil, diltiazem, atenolol, propranolol, guanethidine, clonidine, and nifedipine, etc.), medicines used to treat irregular heartbeats (amiodarone, lidocaine, and quinidine, etc.), medicines used to treat heart disease (digoxin and digitoxin), a medicine used to treat glaucoma (pilocarpine), and antidepressants (fluoxetine, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline, amitriptyline, and paroxetine).
Drug-Food Interactions: Do not consume alcohol while using Pilocarpine+timolol.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Pilocarpine+timolol should not be used in patients with a medical history of respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchi), eye problems such as acute iritis (inflammation of the coloured part of the eye) or anterior uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye), secondary glaucoma (have an identifiable cause of optic nerve damage), and serious heart problems or heart rhythm problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionPilocarpine+timolol may interact with alcohol, so it is advised not to drink alcohol while using this medicine.
Pregnancy
cautionPilocarpine+timolol should be used in pregnant women only if clinically needed when benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionPilocarpine+timolol should be used in breastfeeding mothers only if clinically needed when benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
cautionPilocarpine+timolol may cause temporary blurred vision, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery until your vision is clear.
Liver
safe if prescribedPilocarpine+timolol is probably safe when used in patients with liver diseases.
Kidney
safe if prescribedPilocarpine+timolol is probably safe when used in patients with kidney diseases.
Children
cautionPilocarpine+timolol should be used in children and adolescents under 18 years of age at the lowest possible dose and only if clinically needed. Please consult your doctor for more information.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid alcoholic beverages with Pilocarpine+timolol as they can make you dehydrated and affect eye pressure.
- Visit an optician regularly to monitor your eye pressure.
- Try to include heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acid-containing food drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil.
- A diet including green and leafy vegetables, and fruits, helps to lower eye pressure.
- Do regular moderate exercise and appropriate rest are important for illness.
- Fruits and vegetables which contain Vitamin A and C help to improve vision and recover from the disease.
Special Advise
- Do not wear contact lenses before using Pilocarpine+timolol and at least 15 min after using Pilocarpine+timolol.
- Your doctor may perform an eye examination before using Pilocarpine+timolol and during the treatment if you have had any eye disorders.
- Let your doctor know that you are taking Pilocarpine+timolol before undergoing any operation or surgery as this medicine may interact with medicines used during anesthesia.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Ocular hypertension: It is a condition in which the eye's pressure is higher than normal due to poor drainage of the aqueous humor (fluid inside the eye). Essentially, this means that too much fluid enters the eye without being drained, causing high amounts of pressure to build up. The increased pressure can be due to certain other diseases, an injury, or an adverse effect of certain medications. If left untreated, it can lead to optic nerve damage and permanent vision loss.
Glaucoma: It is an eye condition that causes damage to the optic nerve (essential for good vision) due to abnormally increased pressure in the eye. If it is not treated in time, it may cause blindness. Usually, there are no symptoms of glaucoma initially except the slow loss of vision gradually. However, some symptoms include visible rainbow-coloured circles around bright lights or blurred vision. Rarely, glaucoma can develop suddenly with intense pain in the eye, visual disturbance, or nausea.
FAQs
Pilocarpine+timolol is used to decrease pressure inside the eye. It contains Pilocarpine and Timolol. Pilocarpine works by draining the excess fluid from the eye, thereby reducing pressure. Timolol works by decreasing the fluid production in the eye, thereby lowering the pressure in the eye.
The common side-effects of Pilocarpine+timolol are burning or stinging sensation, itching, irritation, and pain at the application site, swelling in front of the eye, headache and brow ache, bleeding within the front of the eye, and detachment of the retina (the innermost layer of the eye). However, if any of these side-effects persist or get worse, inform your doctor immediately.
Pilocarpine+timolol contains benzalkonium chloride (a preservative) which may cause eye irritation. It is absorbed by the contact lenses and changes the colour of the contact lenses. So, it is advised to remove your lenses before using Pilocarpine+timolol and wear them back 15 minutes after using Pilocarpine+timolol.
Your doctor may advise you to stop using Pilocarpine+timolol before undergoing an operation or surgery as this medicine may alter the effects of some medications used during anaesthesia.
Pilocarpine+timolol should not be used simultaneously with other eye medications. However, if prescribed, you should at least maintain an interval of 10-15 minutes between the two eye medications.
