Two medicines, side by side
Travoprost vs timolol
Travoprost and timolol are both labeled for glaucoma. Drugs@FDA records approvals of travoprost since 2001 and of timolol since 1978. Pharmacies paid $9.07 per mL (Travoprost 0.004% eye drop) and $0.774 per mL (Timolol maleate 0.5% eye drops) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, travoprost is a prostaglandin analog and timolol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
Check it at the source: the travoprost FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 31, 2025); the timolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 27, 2025).
Highlights of the travoprost record
Travoprost (Travatan) · label of January 31, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsTRAVATAN Z ® (travoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.004% is indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. TRAVATAN Z is a prostaglandin analog indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- March 16, 2001
- Generic labelers
- 11 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $9.07 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 3
Highlights of the timolol record
Timolol (Timoptic) · label of June 27, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsBetimol ® is indicated in the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 17, 1978
- Generic labelers
- 22 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.774 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 20
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Travoprost label of January 31, 2025, Timolol label of June 27, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do travoprost and timolol differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, travoprost is a prostaglandin analog and timolol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
Half-life, in each label's words: Travoprost, “From these studies, travoprost is estimated to have a plasma half-life of 45 minutes.”; Timolol, “The half-life of timolol in plasma is approximately 4 hours.”
Generics: travoprost since 2013; timolol since 1989 (Drugs@FDA).
| Travoprost | Timolol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Glaucoma | Glaucoma, High blood pressure, Migraine |
| Pharmacologic class | Prostaglandin Analog | beta-Adrenergic Blocker |
| How it works (label) | Travoprost free acid, a prostaglandin analog is a selective FP prostanoid receptor agonist, which is believed to reduce IOP by increasing uveoscleral outflow. The exact mechanism of action is unknown at this time. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | From these studies, travoprost is estimated to have a plasma half-life of 45 minutes. | The half-life of timolol in plasma is approximately 4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | March 16, 2001 | August 17, 1978 |
| First generic approved | March 1, 2013 | April 13, 1989 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 11 labelers | 22 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $9.07 per mL (Travoprost 0.004% eye drop) | $0.774 per mL (Timolol maleate 0.5% eye drops) |
| 12-month price change | -17% | -6% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 3 | 20 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 8,609 | 9,878 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to travoprost
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions