Timoptic-XE
(Timolol Maleate)

What Timoptic-XE is and what it is used for

Timoptol-LA contains a substance called timolol which belongs to a group of medicines called beta-blockers. Timolol lowers the pressure in your eye(s). It is used to treat glaucoma, when the pressure in the eye is raised.

How to take Timoptic-XE

Always use Timoptol-LA eye drops solution exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. The doctor will decide how many drops you should take each day and how long you should use them. The usual dose is one drop in the affected eye(s) once each day. If your doctor recommends that you use Timoptol-LA with another eye drop, the other medicine should be administered at least 10 minutes before Timoptol-LA. Do not change your usual dose without talking to your doctor. Do not allow the tip of the container to touch the eye or areas around the eye. It may become contaminated with bacteria that can cause eye infection leading to serious damage of the eye, even loss of vision. To avoid possible contamination of the container, keep the tip of the container away from contact with any surface. Instructions for use. It is recommended that you wash your hands before putting in your eye drops. 1. Before using the medication for the first time, be sure the Safety Strip on the front of the bottle is unbroken. A gap between the bottle and the cap is normal for an unopened bottle. 4 pl-timoptol-la-uk-APPR-20180919 3. Invert the closed bottle and shake ONCE before each use. (it is not necessary to shake the bottle more than once). To open the bottle, unscrew the cap by turning as indicated by the arrows on top of the cap. Do not pull the cap directly up and away from the bottle. Pulling the cap directly up will prevent your dispenser from operating properly. 4. Tilt your head back and pull your lower eyelid down slightly to form a pocket between your eyelid and your eye. 5. Invert the bottle, and press lightly with your thumb or first finger over the ‘Finger Push Area’ as shown, until a single drop is dispensed into your eye, as directed by your doctor. DO NOT TOUCH YOUR EYE OR EYELID WITH THE DROPPER TIP. 5 pl-timoptol-la-uk-APPR-20180919 6. After using Timoptol-LA, press a finger into the corner of your eye, by the nose for 2 minutes. This helps to stop timolol getting into the rest of your body. Ophthalmic medications, if handled improperly, can become contaminated by common bacteria known to cause infections. Serious damage to the eye and subsequent loss of vision may result from using contaminated ophthalmic medications. If you think your medication may be contaminated, or if you develop an eye infection, contact your doctor immediately concerning continued use of this bottle. 7. If drop dispensing is difficult after opening for the first time, replace the cap on the bottle and tighten (do not overtighten) and then remove by turning the cap in the opposite direction as indicated by the arrows on top of the cap. 8. Repeat steps 4 & 5 with the other eye if instructed to do so by your doctor. 9. Replace the cap by turning until it is firmly touching the bottle. The arrow on the left side of the cap must be aligned with the arrow on the left side of the bottle label for proper closure. Do not overtighten or you may damage the bottle and cap. 10. The dispenser tip is designed to provide a single drop; therefore do NOT enlarge the hole of the dispenser tip. 11. After you have used all doses there will be some Timoptol-LA left in the bottle. You should not be concerned since an extra amount of Timoptol-LA has been added and you will get the full amount of Timoptol-LA that your doctor has prescribed. Do not attempt to remove the excess medicine from the bottle. If you use more Timoptol-LA than you should If you put too many drops in your eye or swallow any of the drops, you may:
• have a headache
• feel dizzy or light-headed
• have difficulty breathing
• have chest pain
• feel that your heart rate has slowed down. If this happens, contact your doctor immediately. If you forget to use Timoptol-LA It is important to take Timoptol-LA as prescribed by your doctor.
• If you miss a dose, use the drops as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the usual time.
• Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten dose. If you stop using Timoptol-LA If you want to stop using this medicine talk to your doctor first. If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines Timoptol-LA can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. You can usually carry on taking the drops, unless the effects are serious. If you're worried, talk to a doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop using Timoptol-LA without speaking to your doctor. Like other medicines applied into eyes, timolol is absorbed into the blood. This may cause similar side effects as seen with intravenous and/or oral beta-blocking agents. Incidence of 6 pl-timoptol-la-uk-APPR-20180919 side effects after topical ophthalmic administration is lower than when medicines are, for example taken by mouth or injected. Listed side effects include reactions seen within the class of beta-blockers when used for treating eye conditions. If you develop allergic reactions including swelling beneath the skin that can occur in areas such as the face and limbs, and can obstruct the airway which may cause difficulty swallowing or breathing, hives or itchy rash, localized and generalized rash, itchiness, severe sudden life-threatening allergic reaction, stop taking your eye drops and seek medical attention immediately. Low blood glucose levels. Difficulty sleeping (insomnia), depression, nightmares, memory loss. Fainting, stroke, reduced blood supply to the brain, increases in signs and symptoms of myasthenia gravis (muscle disorder), dizziness, unusual sensations like tingling or pins and needles, and headache. Signs and symptoms of eye irritation (e.g. burning, stinging, itching, tearing, redness), inflammation of the eyelid, inflammation in the cornea, blurred vision and detachment of the layer below the retina that contains blood vessels following filtration surgery which may cause visual disturbances, decreased corneal sensitivity, dry eyes, corneal erosion (damage to the front layer of the eyeball), drooping of the upper eyelid (making the eye stay half closed) double vision, sensitivity to light, discharge from the eye, pain in the eye. Ringing sound in the ears. Slow heart rate, chest pain, palpitations, oedema (fluid build up), changes in the rhythm or speed of the heartbeat, congestive heart failure (heart disease with shortness of breath and swelling of the feet and legs due to fluid build up), a type of heart rhythm disorder, heart attack, heart failure. Low blood pressure, fainting, interference with the blood supply to the brain which may lead to a stroke, Raynaud's phenomenon, cold hands and feet, limping because there is a reduced blood supply to your legs. Constriction of the airways in the lungs (predominantly in patients with pre-existing disease), difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing, cough. Taste disturbances, nausea, indigestion, diarrhoea, dry mouth, abdominal pain, vomiting. Sexual dysfunction, decreased sex drive, decreased libido. In men a condition which affects your penis called Peyronie’s disease. The signs may be abnormal curve, pain or hardening of the tissue of your penis. Hair loss, skin rash with white silvery coloured appearance (psoriasiform rash) or worsening of psoriasis, skin rash, itching. Muscle weakness/tiredness, muscle pain not caused by exercise. A condition called lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus) Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the side effects.

Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google 7 pl-timoptol-la-uk-APPR-20180919 Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine

How to Store Timoptic-XE

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not store above 25°C.
• Do not freeze.
• Keep the bottle in the outer carton in order to protect from light.
• You can use Timoptol-LA for 28 days after first opening the bottle. Do not use Timoptol-LA after the expiry date which is stated on the bottle label and the carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment