Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who uses Timoptic XE (Timolol-eent). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people using this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• abdominal pain
• blurred vision (temporary) after putting in the eye drop
• double vision
• nausea
• sensation of something in your eyes
• stinging of eye or other eye irritation (when medication is applied)
• vomiting

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Low Blood Pressure
• muscle pain
• shortness of breath
• slow or irregular heartbeat

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of an allergy such as swelling of the mouth, shortness of breath, Hives, severe itching, and rash

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Timoptic XE (Timolol-eent).

0.25%
Each mL of sterile, colourless-to-nearly-colourless, slightly opalescent, slightly viscous, aqueous ophthalmic solution contains 3.4 mg of timolol maleate, equivalent to 2.5 mg of timolol (0.25%). Nonmedicinal ingredients: benzododecinium bromide 0.012% (as a preservative), gellan gum, mannitol, tromethamine, and water for injection. Gellan gum used in this formulation contains a highly purified anionic heteropolysaccharide.

0.5%
Each mL of sterile, colourless-to–nearly-colourless, slightly opalescent, slightly viscous, aqueous ophthalmic solution contains 6.8 mg of timolol maleate equivalent to 5 mg of timolol (0.5%). Nonmedicinal ingredients: benzododecinium bromide 0.012% (as a preservative), gellan gum, mannitol, tromethamine, and water for injection. Gellan gum used in this formulation contains a highly purified anionic heteropolysaccharide.

Do not use Timoptic XE (Timolol-eent) if you:

• are allergic to timolol or any ingredient of the medication
• are in overt heart failure or cardiogenic shock (shock due to heart-related causes)
• have an extremely slow heart rate or serious heart block
• have Asthma or severe COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) (e.g., emphysema, chronic Bronchitis)

There may be an interaction between timolol and any of the following:

• antiarrhythmics (e.g., Amiodarone, Disopyramide, Propafenone)
• beta-2 agonists (e.g., salbutamol, formoterol, terbutaline)
• medications that lower blood pressure
• other beta-adrenergic blockers (e.g., Atenolol, propranolol, Sotalol)
• other eye drops

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Timoptic XE (Timolol-eent).

Blurred vision: Timolol eye drops may cause temporary blurred vision after putting them in your eyes. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous tasks until you have determined how Timoptic XE (Timolol-eent) affects you.

Breathing problems: Like other beta-adrenergic blockers, timolol can cause difficulty breathing for people with asthma and certain other breathing problems. If you have breathing problems, discuss with your doctor how Timoptic XE (Timolol-eent) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Timoptic XE (Timolol-eent), and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking Timoptic XE (Timolol-eent).

Contact lenses: There are preservatives present in both formulations of timolol eye drops. These preservatives may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Remove your contact lenses before using timolol drops and wait for at least 15 minutes after using the drops to put the contact lenses back in your eyes.

Diabetes: The signs of Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) may not be as noticeable when using timolol eye drops. People with diabetes who are prone to hypoglycemia or those who are receiving insulin or taking medications that can reduce blood sugar should monitor blood glucose regularly. If you have diabetes or are at risk for developing diabetes, discuss with your doctor how Timoptic XE (Timolol-eent) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Timoptic XE (Timolol-eent), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

General: As with other topically applied eye drops, Timoptic XE (Timolol-eent) may be absorbed into the blood circulation. The same side effects reported with oral medications from the family known as beta-blockers (e.g., timolol, Propranolol, Metoprolol) may occur with the eye drops.

Heart failure: Beta blockers, such as timolol, can slow down the heart rate and may cause severely decreased blood pressure. These effects can make symptoms of heart failure worse. If you have heart disease such as Angina, Congestive Heart Failure, or arrhythmia, discuss with your doctor how Timoptic XE (Timolol-eent) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you develop symptoms of heart problems such as shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, or swollen ankles.

People with heart failure should be carefully monitored by their doctors while using timolol eye drops.

Overactive Thyroid: Timolol may mask the signs of overactive thyroid, such as rapid heartbeat. If you have been told that you have an overactive thyroid, discuss with your doctor how Timoptic XE (Timolol-eent) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Timoptic XE (Timolol-eent), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: Timolol has not been studied for use by pregnant women. Timoptic XE (Timolol-eent) should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Timoptic XE (Timolol-eent), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Timoptic XE (Timolol-eent) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are using timolol eye drops, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: Timolol eye drops are not currently recommended for use by children.