Timolol Ophthalmic Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 3, 2025.

Applies to timolol ophthalmic: ophthalmic gel forming solution, ophthalmic solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

Do not use this medicine if you are also using a beta-blocker medicine that is taken by the mouth.

If itching, redness, swelling, or other signs of eye or eyelid irritation occur, stop using this medicine and check with your doctor. These signs may mean that you are allergic to this medicine.

Timolol may cause heart failure in some patients. Check with your doctor right away if you are having chest pain or discomfort, dilated neck veins, extreme fatigue, irregular breathing, an irregular heartbeat, swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, weight gain, or trouble breathing.

This medicine may cause changes in your blood sugar levels. Also, this medicine may cover up signs of low blood sugar, such as a rapid pulse rate. Check with your doctor if you have these problems or if you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery.

The gel-forming eye drops may cause blurred vision or other vision problems that last about 30 seconds to 5 minutes after you put them in your eye. If any of these occur, do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not able to see well. If these eye changes are bothersome, check with your doctor.

Serious side effects of timolol ophthalmic

Along with its needed effects, timolol ophthalmic may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking timolol ophthalmic:

Other side effects of timolol ophthalmic

Some side effects of timolol ophthalmic may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to timolol ophthalmic: ophthalmic gel forming solution, ophthalmic solution.

General adverse events

Gel-forming Solution: The most commonly reported side effects were transient blurred vision, burning, and stinging.

Long-acting Solution: The most commonly reported side effects included burning and stinging on administration.

Ophthalmic Solution: The most commonly reported side effects included localized burning and stinging.^[Ref]

Local

Gel:

• Frequency not reported: Burning, itching, localized rash, redness, signs/symptoms of ocular irritation, stinging, tearing

Gel-forming Solution:

• Very common (10% or more): Burning (up to 12.5%), stinging (up to 12.5%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Crusting, discharge, itching, pain
• Frequency not reported: local weakness, localized rash, signs/symptoms of ocular irritation

Long-acting Solution:

• Very common (10% or more): Burning (up to 38%), stinging (up to 38%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Itching
• Frequency not reported: Crusting, discharge, localized rash, signs/symptoms of ocular irritation
• Postmarketing reports: Local weakness

Ophthalmic Solution:

• Very common (10% or more): Biting sensation (up to 13%), burning sensation (up to 13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Itching, secretion, signs/symptoms of ocular irritation, stinging
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Localized rash
• Frequency not reported: Local weakness^[Ref]

Ocular

Gel:

• Frequency not reported: Blepharitis, blurred vision, choroidal detachment (following filtration surgery), conjunctival hyperemia, conjunctivitis, corneal erosion, decreased corneal sensitivity, dry eyes, keratitis, refractive changes

Gel-forming Solution:

• Very common (10% or more): Transient blurred vision (up to 33%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Blurred vision, conjunctival injection, conjunctivitis, foreign body sensation, tearing
• Frequency not reported: Blepharitis, choroidal detachment (following filtration surgery) corneal erosion, cystoid macular edema, decreased corneal sensitivity, dry eyes, keratitis, redness, refractive changes, visual disturbances

Long-acting Solution:

• Common (1% to 10%): Blurred vision, cataract, conjunctival injection, decreased visual acuity
• Frequency not reported: Blepharitis, choroidal detachment (following filtration surgery), conjunctivitis, cystoid macular edema, decreased corneal sensitivity, dry eyes, foreign body sensation, keratitis, ocular pain, refractive changes, tearing, visual disturbances

Ophthalmic Solution:

• Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal vision, blepharitis, blurred vision, cataract, conjunctival hyperemia, conjunctival injection, conjunctivitis, corneal fluorescein staining, decreased corneal sensitivity, dry eyes, epiphora, eye discomfort, eye pain, eyelid erythema, foreign body sensation, keratitis, photophobia
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Refractive changes, visual disturbance
• Frequency not reported: Aphakic cystoid macular edema, choroidal detachment (following filtration surgery), corneal calcification, corneal erosion, crusting, cystoid macular edema, discharge, ocular pain, redness, retinal vascular disorder, tearing^[Ref]

In some patients, refractive changes occurred as a result of mitotic therapy withdrawal.

Corneal calcification occurred with phosphate-containing drops in patients with significantly damaged corneas.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Gel:

• Frequency not reported: Arrhythmia, atrioventricular (AV) block, bradycardia, cardiac arrest, cardiac failure, chest pain, claudication, cold hands and feet, congestive heart failure, edema, hypotension, palpitations, Raynaud's phenomenon

Gel-forming Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Arrhythmia, bradycardia, cardiac arrest, cardiac failure, chest pain, claudication, cold hands and feet, congestive heart failure, edema, heart block, hypertension, hypotension, palpitation, Raynaud's phenomenon, second-/third-degree AV block, sinoatrial block, vasodilation, worsening of angina pectoris, worsening of arterial insufficiency

Long-acting Solution:

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension
• Frequency not reported: Arrhythmia, bradycardia, cardiac arrest, cardiac failure, chest pain, claudication, cold hands and feet, edema, heart block, hypotension, palpitation, Raynaud's phenomenon, worsening of angina pectoris
• Postmarketing reports: Vasodilation, worsening of arterial insufficiency

Ophthalmic Solution:

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension, peripheral edema
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bradycardia
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, chest pain, claudication, cold hands and feet, congestive heart failure, edema, heart block, hypotension, palpitation, Raynaud's phenomenon
• Frequency not reported: Cardiac failure, second-/third-degree AV block, sinoatrial block, vasodilation, worsening of angina pectoris, worsening of arterial insufficiency^[Ref]

Nervous system

Gel:

• Frequency not reported: Cerebral ischemia, cerebrovascular accident, diplopia, dizziness, dysgeusia, headache, increase in signs/symptoms of myasthenia gravis, memory loss, paresthesia, ptosis, syncope

Gel-forming Solution:

• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache
• Frequency not reported: Cerebral ischemia, cerebrovascular accident, diplopia, dysgeusia, increase in signs/symptoms of myasthenia gravis, memory loss, paresthesia, ptosis, slightly clouded sensorium, somnolence, syncope, vertigo

Long-acting Solution:

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache
• Frequency not reported: Cerebral ischemia, cerebrovascular accident, diplopia, dizziness, increase in signs/symptoms of myasthenia gravis, memory loss, paresthesia, ptosis, somnolence, syncope
• Postmarketing reports: Slightly clouded sensorium, vertigo

Ophthalmic Solution:

• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Syncope
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Cerebral ischemia, cerebrovascular accident, diplopia, increase in signs/symptoms of myasthenia gravis, memory loss, paresthesia, ptosis
• Frequency not reported: Blepharoptosis, central nervous system (CNS) effects, dysgeusia, increased dreaming, slightly clouded sensorium, somnolence, syncope, vertigo^[Ref]

Respiratory

Gel:

• Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm, cough, dyspnea

Gel-forming Solution:

• Common (1% to 10%): Upper respiratory infections
• Frequency not reported: Asthma exacerbation, bronchial obstruction, bronchospasm, cough, dyspnea, laryngospasm with respiratory distress, nasal congestion, pulmonary edema, rales, respiratory failure

Long-acting Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm, cough, dyspnea, nasal congestion, pulmonary edema, respiratory failure, upper respiratory infections
• Postmarketing reports: Bronchial obstruction, laryngospasm with respiratory distress, rales

Ophthalmic Solution:

• Common (1% to 10%): Respiratory infection, sinusitis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dyspnea
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Bronchospasm, cough, respiratory failure
• Frequency not reported: Asthma exacerbation, bronchial obstruction, laryngospasm with respiratory distress, nasal congestion, pulmonary edema, rales, upper respiratory infections^[Ref]

Bronchospasm most commonly occurred in patients with preexisting bronchospastic disease.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Gel:

• Frequency not reported: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, dry mouth, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting

Gel-forming Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, dry mouth, dyspepsia, ischemic colitis, mesenteric arterial thrombosis, nausea, vomiting

Long-acting Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Diarrhea, dry mouth, dyspepsia, nausea
• Postmarketing reports: Gastrointestinal pain, ischemic colitis, mesenteric arterial thrombosis, vomiting

Ophthalmic Solution:

• Common (1% to 10%): Dry mouth, nausea
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dyspepsia
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Diarrhea
• Frequency not reported: Abdominal pain, gastrointestinal pain, ischemic colitis, mesenteric arterial thrombosis, vomiting^[Ref]

Immunologic

Gel:

• Frequency not reported: Antinuclear antibodies positive, psoriasis exacerbation

Gel-forming Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Psoriasis exacerbation, retroperitoneal fibrosis

Long-acting Solution:

• Common (1% to 10%): Infection
• Frequency not reported: Psoriasis exacerbation, retroperitoneal fibrosis

Ophthalmic Solution:

• Common (1% to 10%): Common cold
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Psoriasis exacerbation
• Frequency not reported: Retroperitoneal fibrosis^[Ref]

Other

Gel:

• Frequency not reported: Asthenia, fatigue

Gel-forming Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Asthenia, decreased exercise tolerance, fatigue, fever combined with aching and sore throat, tinnitus

Long-acting Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Asthenia, fatigue
• Postmarketing reports: Decreased exercise tolerance, fever combined with aching and sore throat

Ophthalmic Solution:

• Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fatigue
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Tinnitus
• Frequency not reported: Decreased exercise tolerance, fever with aching and sore throat^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Gel:

• Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic reaction, angioedema, systemic allergic reactions

Gel-forming Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic reaction, anaphylaxis, angioedema, exfoliative dermatitis, signs/symptoms of allergic reactions

Long-acting Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Angioedema, signs/symptoms of systemic allergic reactions

Ophthalmic Solution:

• Common (1% to 10%): Allergic reaction
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anaphylaxis, angioedema, signs/symptoms of allergic reactions
• Frequency not reported: Exfoliative dermatitis, hypersensitivity, signs/symptoms of systemic allergic reactions, systemic allergic reactions^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Gel:

• Frequency not reported: Decreased libido, depression, hallucination, insomnia, nightmares

Gel-forming Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Acute reversible syndrome characterized by disorientation to time/place, anxiety, behavioral changes, confusion, decreased libido, decreased performance on neuropsychometrics, depression, diminished concentration, disorientation, emotional lability, hallucinations, increased dreaming, insomnia, nervousness, nightmares, psychic disturbances, reversible mental depression progressing to catatonia

Long-acting Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Anxiety, behavioral changes, confusion, decreased libido, depression, disorientation, hallucinations, insomnia, nervousness, nightmares, psychic disturbances
• Postmarketing reports: Acute reversible syndrome characterized by disorientation for time and place, decreased performance on neuropsychometrics, diminished concentration, emotional lability, reversible mental depression progression to catatonia

Ophthalmic Solution:

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Depression
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Decreased libido, insomnia, nightmares
• Frequency not reported: Acute reversible syndrome characterized by disorientation for time and place, anxiety, behavioral changes, confusion, decreased/diminished concentration, decreased performance on neuropsychometrics, disorientation, emotional lability, hallucinations, nervousness, psychic disturbances, reversible mental depression progressing to catatonia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Gel:

• Frequency not reported: Myalgia, systemic lupus erythematosus

Gel-forming Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Arthralgia, extremity pain, myalgia, systemic lupus erythematosus

Long-acting Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Postmarketing reports: Arthralgia, extremity pain

Ophthalmic Solution:

• Common (1% to 10%): Extremity pain
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Frequency not reported: Arthralgia, myalgia^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Gel:

• Frequency not reported: Alopecia, generalized rash, pruritus, psoriasiform rash, skin rash, urticaria

Gel-forming Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Alopecia, erythematous rash, generalized rash, increased pigmentation, nonthrombocytopenic purpura, pruritus, pseudopemphigoid, psoriasiform rash, skin irritation, skin rash, sweating, thrombocytopenic purpura, urticaria

Long-acting Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Alopecia, generalized rash, pseudopemphigoid, psoriasiform rash, urticaria
• Postmarketing reports: Erythematous rash, increased pigmentation, nonthrombocytopenic purpura, pruritus, skin irritation, sweating, thrombocytopenic purpura

Ophthalmic Solution:

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Alopecia, generalized rash, psoriasiform rash, urticaria
• Frequency not reported: Erythematous rash, increased pigmentation, nonthrombocytopenic purpura, pruritus, pseudopemphigoid, skin irritation, skin rash, sweating, thrombocytopenic purpura^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Gel:

• Frequency not reported: Impotence, sexual dysfunction

Gel-forming Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Impotence, micturition/urination difficulties, Peyronie's disease, sexual dysfunction

Long-acting Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Impotence, Peyronie's disease
• Postmarketing reports: Urination difficulties

Ophthalmic Solution:

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Peyronie's disease
• Frequency not reported: Impotence, micturition difficulty, sexual dysfunction, urinary difficulties^[Ref]

Metabolic

Gel:

• Frequency not reported: Hypoglycemia

Gel-forming Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Anorexia, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol slightly decreased, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, masked symptoms of hypoglycemia, serum potassium slightly increased, serum triglycerides slightly increased, serum uric acid slightly increased, weight loss

Long-acting Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Anorexia, masked symptoms of hypoglycemia
• Postmarketing reports: Hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, weight loss

Ophthalmic Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Anorexia, HDL-cholesterol slightly decreased, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, masked symptoms of hypoglycemia, serum potassium increased, serum triglycerides increased, serum uric acid increased, weight loss^[Ref]

Masked hypoglycemia symptoms occurred in patients with diabetes.^[Ref]

Hematologic

Gel-forming Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Agranulocytosis, hematocrit slightly decreased, hemoglobin slightly decreased

Long-acting Solution:

• Postmarketing reports: Agranulocytosis

Ophthalmic Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Agranulocytosis, hematocrit slightly decreased, hemoglobin slightly decreased^[Ref]

Hepatic

Gel-forming Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Hepatomegaly

Long-acting Solution:

• Postmarketing reports: Hepatomegaly

Ophthalmic Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Hepatomegaly^[Ref]

Renal

Gel-forming Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Serum urea slightly increased

Ophthalmic Solution:

• Frequency not reported: Increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN)^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Timolol ophthalmic side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer