Timolol+hypromellose
About
Timolol+hypromellose belongs to the class of medications called ‘ophthalmologic agents’ primarily used to treat increased pressure in the eye in conditions of glaucoma (damage of optic nerve) and ocular hypertension (high fluid pressure inside the eye). Glaucoma is an eye condition which causes damage to the optic nerve (essential for good vision) due to abnormally increased pressure in the eye. Ocular hypertension is increased pressure in the eye due to poor drainage of aqueous humour (fluid in the eye that maintains normal pressure by its continuous flow). Dry eye is a condition in which there is decreased production of tears by lachrymal glands (tear glands) due to vitamin A deficiency, allergic eye diseases or eye infections.
Timolol+hypromellose is a combination of two medicines: Timolol and Hypromellose. Timolol is a beta-blocker which works by decreasing the secretion of aqueous humour (a liquid that maintains normal pressure in the eyeball) by the ciliary body into the eyeball. Thereby lowers the pressure in the eye by reducing aqueous humour entry into the eyeball. Hypromellose is an artificial tear used as a component in eye drops to lubricate eyes and relieve dry eye symptoms such as burining and eye discomfort.
Timolol+hypromellose is available for ophthalmic (eye) use only. You should use this medicine as prescribed by your doctor. The common side-effects of Timolol+hypromellose are application site reactions such as burning/stinging sensation or redness in the eye, increased eye sensitivity to the light, stickiness of eyelashes, swelling of eyelids, blurred vision and watery eyes. These side-effects are usually mild and temporary. Consult your doctor if these side-effects persist.
If you are known to be allergic to Timolol+hypromellose or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please inform your doctor before using Timolol+hypromellose. Timolol+hypromellose should be used with caution in children. Your doctor will estimate the benefits and risks of Timolol+hypromellose in children and if Timolol+hypromellose is used in newborns, they should be under close observation for 1 to 2 hours after the first dose and adverse effects should be monitored. You are advised to remove soft contact lenses before using Timolol+hypromellose as it may cause discolouration of the soft contact lens.
Uses of Timolol+hypromellose
Medicinal Benefits
Timolol+hypromellose is a combination of two medicines, namely; Timolol (beta-blocker) and Hypromellose (artificial tear). Timolol works by decreasing the secretion of aqueous humour (a liquid that maintains normal pressure in the eyeball) by the ciliary body into an eyeball. Thereby, lowers the pressure in the eye by reducing aqueous humour entry into the eyeball. Hypromellose is an artificial tear works similar to natural tears, provides relief from irritation and burning due to dryness of the eyes. Together, Timolol+hypromellose is used to treat increased pressure in the eye in conditions such as glaucoma (damage of optic nerve) and ocular hypertension (high fluid pressure inside the eye).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Timolol+hypromellose
- Burning/stinging sensation or redness in the eye
- Increased eye sensitivity to the light
- Swelling of eyelid
- Stickiness of eyelashes
- Blurred vision
- Watery eyes
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Before using Timolol+hypromellose, inform your doctor if you are using any other eye drops or eye ointment. Pregnant or nursing mothers are advised to consult a doctor before using Timolol+hypromellose. If you get any new eye problem, an eye infection or notice any allergic reactions such as itching or redness of the eye and skin rash, please consult your doctor immediately. You are advised to remove soft contact lenses before using Timolol+hypromellose as it may cause discolouration of soft contact lens. If you have diabetes, asthma, heart problems, Raynaud's disease (poor blood circulation) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland), please inform your doctor before using Timolol+hypromellose. In sporadic cases, you may notice cloudy patches on the cornea (transparent layer at the front of the eye) due to accumulation of calcium as Timolol+hypromellose contains phosphates responsible for causing such severe damage to the cornea. Do not use Timolol+hypromellose for a longer duration than recommended by your doctor. Inform your doctor immediately if you experience any persistent visual disturbances while using Timolol+hypromellose.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Timolol+hypromellose may have interaction with high blood pressure-lowering medicines (clonidine, reserpine, amlodipine, nifedipine, diltiazem, metoprolol, verapamil, rauwolfia alkaloids), heart-related medicines (digoxin), antidepressants (paroxetine, fluoxetine), antimalarial drugs (quinidine) and medicines for severe allergic reaction (adrenaline).
Drug-Food Interaction: Timolol+hypromellose may interact with marijuana. Therefore, avoid marijuana intake while using Timolol+hypromellose as it may decrease the effect of Timolol+hypromellose and cause increased heart rate, high blood pressure or other heart-related problems.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Inform your doctor if you have diabetes, asthma, heart problems, Raynaud's disease or Raynaud's syndrome (poor blood circulation) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland) before using Timolol+hypromellose.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionInteraction of alcohol with Timolol+hypromellose is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Timolol+hypromellose.
Pregnancy
cautionTimolol+hypromellose is a Category C pregnancy drug and is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless your doctor considers it essential.
Breast Feeding
cautionTimolol+hypromellose should be used with caution in breastfeeding mothers.
Driving
cautionTimolol+hypromellose may cause dizziness, drowsiness or changes in vision such as blurred vision, double vision and drooping of upper eyelid (eye stays half closed) in some people. So, drive only when your vision is clear and are alert after using Timolol+hypromellose.
Liver
cautionInform your doctor if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. Timolol+hypromellose can be used in patients with liver diseases when prescribed by an ophthalmologist.
Kidney
cautionInform your doctor if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. Timolol+hypromellose can be used in patients with kidney diseases when prescribed by an ophthalmologist.
Children
cautionTimolol+hypromellose should be used with extreme caution in children if prescribed by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid intake of baked foods such as cakes, cookies, donuts or fried items such as French fries and stick margarine as these foods may worsen glaucoma and damage optic nerve.
- Cut down your coffee intake as it may increase pressure in the eye and replace coffee with green tea.
- Avoid exercises such as any position where head is lower than body like inverted yoga pose as it may increase pressure in the eye. Doing selective exercises is advised for glaucoma patients.
- Sleep for at least six to eight hours to rejuvenate your eyes naturally.
- Wash your eyes with clean water at least two to three times a day.
- Manage stress, eat healthily, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly and get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid alcoholic beverages as it can make you dehydrated and affect your sleep. This effect can also affect your body’s ability in fighting off infections.
- Reduce screen time (by avoiding watching tv, or phone) and use sunglasses while going out into the sunlight.
Special Advise
- Timolol+hypromellose should be used with extreme caution in children and if you notice abnormal breathing, wheezing, coughing or unusual pauses in breathing, stop using Timolol+hypromellose and consult a doctor immediately.
- If you have an injury to the eye or eye infection, inform your doctor.
- You are advised to inform your doctor before any operation that you are using Timolol+hypromellose as it may alter the effects of some medicines that are used during anaesthesia.
- Routine eye tests are recommended at least every 2 years to detect glaucoma as it does not show any symptoms initially.
- If you are using any other eye drops or ointments, leave about ten minutes between applying each one.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Glaucoma is an eye condition which cause 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 for glaucoma initially except 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. Ocular hypertension is a condition caused due to poor drainage of aqueous humour (fluid in the eye that maintains normal pressure by its continuous flow). This leads to build up of excess fluid in the eye resulting in increased pressure inside the eye without any damage to optic nerve. If ocular hypertension is not controlled, it may lead to glaucoma.
Dry eyes: Dry eye, also called xeropthalmia, is a condition that occurs when there is not enough lubrication in the eye due to decreased production of tears or production of low-quality tears. This condition may lead to inflammation and damage to the eye. Symptoms include a burning or stinging sensation in the eye, eye irritation, sensitivity to light, redness and blurred vision. It may occur due to ageing, allergic eye diseases, thyroid problems, vitamin A deficiency, certain medications and eyelid problems.
FAQs
Timolol+hypromellose contains Timolol and Hypromellose. Timolol works by decreasing the production of fluid in the eye. Hypromellose helps to moisten and lubricate the dry eyes. Collectively, both of them reduce the increased eye pressure and dry eyes.
Apply the drops as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Glaucoma is a common eye condition where the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, becomes damaged. It's usually caused by fluid building up in the front part of the eye, which increases pressure inside the eye. Glaucoma can lead to loss of vision if it's not diagnosed and treated early.
Dry eyes may cause blurred vision due to a decrease in tear production in the eye. However, it doesn't cause permanent disturbances to your vision. The vision improves with the use of eye drops or when your eye condition improves.
If you are using other eye drops along with Timolol+hypromellose, maintain an interval of at least 10 minutes before administering other medicines in the same eye to avoid dilution.
No, you are not recommended to wear contact lenses while using Timolol+hypromellose as it contains benzalkonium chloride, a preservative that causes colour change of contact lens as it may be absorbed by soft contact lens. Benzalkonium chloride also causes irritation in the eye especially if you have disorders of cornea (transparent layer at the front of eye) or dry eyes. Therefore, you are advised to remove contact lenses before applying Timolol+hypromellose and reinsert after 15 minutes of using Timolol+hypromellose. Also, inform your doctor if you experience pain or stinging in the eye, abnormal sensation in the eye after using Timolol+hypromellose.
Yes, you may need to stop using Timolol+hypromellose before surgery as it may alter the effects of certain medicines that are used during anaesthesia. Therefore, you are recommended to inform your doctor or dentist that you are using Timolol+hypromellose before any surgery or dental procedure.
