timolol
Brand names: Timoptic
Timolol (Timoptic) eye drops help lower pressure inside the eye. It is used for people with glaucoma or high eye pressure.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$10.21/unit
Generic Price
$23.09/unit
Generic Available
Yes (22 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
This medicine treats high pressure inside your eye.
Common side effects
Bitter, sour, or unusual taste, Eye burning or stinging, Redness of the eye
Key warnings
Timolol can cause serious breathing problems, including asthma.
How It Works
Timolol contains two medicines that lower eye pressure. One medicine lowers the amount of fluid your eye makes. The other medicine helps fluid drain better from your eye.
How to Take It
Use one drop in the affected eye(s) two times each day. Try to use the drops about 12 hours apart. If you use other eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes before using them. This helps each medicine work correctly.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. This medicine should only be used during pregnancy if the benefit outweighs the risk to the baby. Timolol can pass into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about whether to stop breastfeeding or stop using this medicine.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
Storage
Store Timolol at room temperature, away from light.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 6,980 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 11,690 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2003–2025.
Total Reports
11,690
Death-Related Reports
550
Hospitalization Reports
2,304
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | TREATMENT FAILURE | 3,042 |
| 2 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 783 |
| 3 | FATIGUE | 470 |
| 4 | HYPERSENSITIVITY | 456 |
| 5 | DIZZINESS | 401 |
| 6 | DIARRHOEA | 396 |
| 7 | OFF LABEL USE | 395 |
| 8 | DYSPNOEA | 363 |
| 9 | NAUSEA | 347 |
| 10 | EYE IRRITATION | 327 |
| 11 | FALL | 317 |
| 12 | HEADACHE | 301 |
| 13 | EYE PAIN | 279 |
| 14 | VISION BLURRED | 274 |
| 15 | INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE INCREASED | 272 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Timolol can cause serious breathing problems, including asthma. It can also cause heart failure. If you have asthma, COPD, or heart problems, talk to your doctor before using this medicine. This medicine contains a sulfonamide and can cause a severe allergic reaction. Stop using this medicine and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any signs of an allergic reaction.
Known Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Potential additive effect of oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitor with dorzolamide hydrochloride and timolol maleate ophthalmic solution. ( 7.7 ) 7.1 Oral Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors There is a potential for an additive effect on the known systemic effects of carbonic anhydrase inhibition in patients receiving an oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and dorzolamide hydrochloride and timolol maleate ophthalmic solution. The concomitant administration of dorzolamide hydrochloride and timolol maleate ophthalmic solution and oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors is not recommended.
Mechanism: Using these drugs together can cause their effects to stack up, which may lead to more side effects throughout your body.
What to do: This combination is not recommended, and you should talk to your doctor about other options.
7.8 Clonidine Oral beta-adrenergic blocking agents may exacerbate the rebound hypertension which can follow the withdrawal of clonidine.
Mechanism: Timolol is a beta-blocker that can make blood pressure rise even higher if you suddenly stop taking clonidine. This happens because the two drugs affect the nervous system's control of blood pressure in opposite ways.
What to do: If you need to stop taking clonidine, your doctor should monitor your blood pressure closely and may need to adjust your timolol dose.
7.7 CYP2D6 Inhibitors Potentiated systemic beta-blockade (e.g., decreased heart rate, depression) has been reported during combined treatment with CYP2D6 inhibitors (e.g., quinidine, SSRIs) and timolol.
Mechanism: Certain medicines can block the body from breaking down timolol. This can lead to higher levels of the drug in your system, which may cause a slow heart rate or feelings of depression.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor you for a slow pulse or mood changes if you take these medications together.
carvedilol, metoprolol, timolol ↑ beta-blockers Clinical monitoring of patients is recommended.
Mechanism: Darunavir prevents the body from clearing timolol quickly, which can cause the beta-blocker to build up to higher levels.
What to do: Your healthcare provider should monitor you for signs of a slow heart rate or low blood pressure.
7.7 CYP2D6 Inhibitors Potentiated systemic beta-blockade (e.g., decreased heart rate, depression) has been reported during combined treatment with CYP2D6 inhibitors (e.g., quinidine, SSRIs) and timolol. There have been no reports of exacerbation of rebound hypertension with ophthalmic timolol maleate.
Mechanism: Using two medications that both contain timolol can lead to an overdose, which may slow your heart rate down too much or cause low blood pressure.
What to do: Tell your doctor about all the eye drops and heart medicines you use to avoid taking too much of the same active ingredient.
Common Questions
Can I use Timolol with other eye drops?
What if my eye gets irritated?
Can I wear contact lenses while using Timolol?
How long does it take for Timolol to work?
What should I do if I experience dizziness?
Can Timolol affect my heart?
Is it okay to drive after using the drops?
What if I accidentally use too many drops?
Can I stop using Timolol if my eye pressure is better?
Does this medicine have preservatives?
What are the common side effects of timolol?
Does timolol interact with other medications?
What drug class is timolol?
Is timolol safe during pregnancy?
Has timolol been recalled?
Active Recalls
Lack of Assurance of Sterility; atypical weight loss due to improper bottle sealing leading to potential sterility concerns
Apotex Corp.
Defective Container: spike of the cap becomes lodged in the nozzle of the product bottle.
FDC Limited
Defective Container: Unable to get the solution out of the bottle as the spike of the cap was lodged in the nozzle of the product bottle.
FDC Limited
Defective Container: Unable to get the solution out of the bottle as the spike of the cap was lodged in the nozzle of the product bottle
FDC Limited
Defective Container: patients are unable to get the solution out of the bottle as the spike of the cap was lodged in the nozzle of the product bottle.
FDC Limited
Identification of an unknown impurity at the 12-month stability point. Further investigation has identified the impurity as Timolol Phenol S-Oxide.
Akorn, Inc
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Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
Related Health & Safety Data
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What the FDA Data Shows for timolol
The FDA label for timolol (sold under brand names such as Timoptic) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Beta-Blocker (Ophthalmic) class. This medicine treats high pressure inside your eye. Official labeling lists 5 commonly reported side effects, including Bitter, sour, or unusual taste, Eye burning or stinging, Redness of the eye.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 6,980 voluntary reports. The database also lists 6 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $23.09 versus $10.21 for the brand.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 6 recall records on file), and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: December 22, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages