Istalol, Tiloptic

Before taking this medicine

Do not use this medicine if you have asthma or a history of asthma, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a slow heartbeat due to sinus bradycardia, second- or third-degree heart block, overt heart failure, or cardiogenic shock. Do not use it if you have previously had an allergic reaction to any ingredient. Although applied to the eye, timolol can be absorbed into the body and cause serious breathing or heart reactions, including fatal reactions. People with mild or moderate COPD, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or conditions that cause narrowing of the airways should generally not use it. Treatment should be stopped at the first sign or symptom of heart failure. Tell your prescriber if you have diabetes or episodes of low blood sugar, an overactive thyroid, myasthenia gravis or muscle weakness, reduced blood flow to the brain, or a history of allergic conditions or severe allergic reactions. Timolol may hide warning signs of low blood sugar or an overactive thyroid, worsen muscle weakness, and increase sensitivity to allergens. Severe allergic reactions may respond less well to epinephrine. Abrupt withdrawal in someone with an overactive thyroid may trigger a thyroid storm. Tell your surgical team if you are using timolol before major surgery, as it may increase risks during general anesthesia. It should not be used alone to treat angle-closure glaucoma. Contaminated eye-drop bottles have been associated with bacterial infection of the cornea, particularly in people with existing corneal disease or damage to the eye surface. Separation of the layer beneath the retina has been reported after glaucoma filtration surgery in people receiving medicines such as timolol.