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Timolol Coupon - Timolol 10mg tablet

timolol

Generic Blocadren
Used for Migraine, Heart Attack, Hypertension, Glaucoma, Eye Pressure
Used for Migraine, Heart Attack, Hypertension, Glaucoma, Eye Pressure

Timolol is a beta-blocker used to treat high blood pressure and prevent complications after a heart attack. It's also used to prevent migraines. The medication comes as tablets that you typically take by mouth twice daily. Timolol can interact with other medications and make side effects worse, so make sure your prescriber knows everything that you're taking. Although the brand Blocadren is discontinued, the generic versions are still available. Common side effects include slow heart rate, tiredness, and dizziness.

Last reviewed on November 19, 2024
basics-icon

What is Timolol?

What is Timolol used for?

How Timolol works

Timolol is a beta blocker. It slows your heart rate and relaxes blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood throughout the body. It's not entirely clear how the medication prevents migraines, but it's thought to work in the brain by affecting nerve cell communication.

Are you looking for information on Timoptic (timolol eye drops) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsBlocadren (brand no longer available)
Drug ClassBeta blocker
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only

More on Timolol essentials

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What are the side effects of Timolol?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Low heart rate (5-9%)
  • Heart failure (8%)
  • Cold hands or feet (8%)
  • Nausea or other stomach-related problems (up to 8%)
  • Dizziness (2-6%)
  • Tiredness (3-5%)

Other Side Effects

  • Headache
  • Chest pain
  • Fainting
  • Itchy skin
  • Low blood pressure
  • Blood clot in the lungs
  • Leg pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Eye irritation
  • Ringing in the ears

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Heart failure: shortness of breath, swelling, tiredness, sudden weight gain, chest pain or discomfort

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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:

More common

Chest pain or discomfort

lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

shortness of breath

slow or irregular heartbeat

unusual tiredness

Less common

Difficult or labored breathing

fast heartbeat

tightness in chest

wheezing

Rare

Noisy breathing

small clicking, bubbling, or rattling sounds in the lung when listening with a stethoscope

swelling of hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Blurred vision

continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in ears

headache

hearing loss

nervousness

pounding in the ears

sweating

Some side effects 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:

Less common

Itching skin

red, sore eyes

Rare

Acid or sour stomach

belching

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

decreased interest in sexual intercourse

feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

heartburn

inability to have or keep an erection

indigestion

lack or loss of strength

loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance

nausea

sensation of spinning

stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Timolol

thumbs-up

Pros

Lowers the risk of death in people who recently had a heart attack

Can take with other medications that lower blood pressure

Taken twice a day, and some people might be able to take it once a day

First-choice treatment option to prevent migraines

thumbs-down

Cons

Can worsen breathing problems in people with asthma or COPD

Won't stop a migraine if it has already started

Not known if it's safe for children

Not a first-choice treatment option for high blood pressure

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Timolol

pharmacist
  • Take timolol by mouth at the same time every day without skipping doses. Don't suddenly stop taking this medication because doing so can cause or worsen heart problems like chest pain and heart attack. Speak to your prescriber if you have questions about stopping this medication.

    • Timolol can hide symptoms of low blood sugar, which can be dangerous for people with diabetes. But a symptom of low blood pressure it doesn't affect is sweating. So if you notice you're sweating, it's a good idea to check your blood sugar and treat it if it's low.

      • Timolol can lead to or worsen heart failure. Contact your prescriber right away if you notice new or worsening symptoms, such as swelling in your legs, shortness of breath, or sudden weight gain.

        • If you're taking timolol for migraine prevention and it's been over 6 to 8 weeks with no improvement, follow up with your prescriber. You might need to take a different medication.

          • Timolol can interact with many medications. Let your prescriber know about everything that you're taking before starting this medication.

            More on Timolol tips

            faqs

            Frequently asked questions about Timolol

            Is timolol a beta blocker?
            Yes, timolol is a beta blocker, more specifically it's a non-selective beta blockers. This means that it affects many areas of the body, including the heart.
            How much does timolol lower heart rate?
            It depends. Most data on this comes from studies on timolol eye drops, which don’t absorb into your body as much as oral tablets. In those studies, participants' heart rates dropped by about 10 beats per minute on average. But this will vary since timolol is taken by mouth and likely will affect the body more. Speak with your prescriber if you're concerned about your heart rate dropping too low with this medication.
            Is timolol hard on the kidneys?
            Timolol doesn't normally cause kidney problems. But since this medication is mainly removed from your body by the kidneys, you might need a lower dose if you have a history of kidney problems. This helps prevent your blood pressure from dropping too low. Talk to your prescriber if you have concerns about timolol and your kidney health.
            What can you not take with timolol?
            Avoid alcohol while taking timolol because it can worsen side effects like dizziness and lightheadedness. Alcohol can also raise your blood pressure and heart rate, which is the opposite of what this medication is meant to do. If you have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you might want to avoid timolol because it can affect how well your rescue inhalers work to open your airways. Also, certain over-the-counter (OTC) decongestants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) can reduce the effects of timolol. Talk with your prescriber or pharmacist before starting any medications.
            What happens when you stop taking timolol?
            If you stop taking timolol suddenly, it might lead to an irregular or fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, poor blood flow to your heart, or can raise your risk of chest pain or heart attack. Don't suddenly stop taking this medication without speaking with your prescriber. You might need to work with them to slowly lower your dose over time.
            Can timolol cause weight gain?
            Timolol doesn't typically cause weight gain, unlike some other beta blockers. But it's possible to have heart failure symptoms that lead to more water weight. Call your prescriber if you notice any sudden swelling or if you feel like your body is holding onto more water.
            Is timolol a blood thinner?
            No. Timolol is a beta-blocker, not a blood thinner. Beta-blockers and blood thinners work very differently but are both used to treat or prevent heart problems. That's why many people who take beta-blockers like timolol for heart problems might also be taking a blood thinner.
            How long does timolol take to work?
            It depends on what you're taking timolol for, though it can take some time. If you take the medication for high blood pressure, it can take a few days to a week to see the full effect, so your prescriber likely won't adjust dose the before then. If you take it to prevent migraines, you might notice fewer migraines after a few weeks, but it can take longer to find the right dose. And if you haven't seen any improvement in your migraines after 6 to 8 weeks, your prescriber might suggest stopping the medication.
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            warings-icon

            What are the risks and warnings for Timolol?

            Timolol can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

            risk-warning

            Serious heart problems if suddenly stopped

            • Risk factors: Suddenly stopping timolol | Coronary artery disease

              Don't stop taking timolol suddenly, as it can cause an irregular or fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, poor blood flow to your heart, or raise your risk of chest pain or a heart attack. If you need to stop taking this medication, work with your prescriber to lower your dose slowly over a period of one to two weeks.

              risk-warning

              Heart failure

              • Risk factors: History of heart failure

                Though timolol is commonly used to treat heart failure, it can sometimes worsen symptoms. In rare cases, this medication can even cause heart failure in people without a history of it. Talk to your healthcare team if you think your heart failure is getting worse or if you notice symptoms like shortness of breath, sudden weight gain, or swelling in the legs after taking timolol.

                risk-warning

                Trouble breathing

                • Risk factors: Breathing conditions like asthma, COPD, or emphysema

                  If you have certain breathing conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or emphysema, taking timolol can make your breathing worse. Timolol can narrow your airways and cause wheezing or difficulty breathing. That's why it's usually not recommended for people with these conditions. Let your prescriber know about any breathing conditions before starting this medication. If you notice trouble breathing, chest tightness, or wheezing while taking it, contact them right away.

                  risk-warning

                  Hides symptoms of low blood sugar

                  • Risk factors: Diabetes

                    If you have diabetes, timolol can make it harder to notice some signs of low blood sugar, like a fast heartbeat. But you might be able to still experience symptoms like sweating, which can help alert you to low blood sugar. Know how to check your blood sugar levels while taking this medication and when to treat it.

                    risk-warning

                    Hides symptoms of overactive thyroid

                    • Risk factors: Hyperthyroidism

                      Because timolol lowers your heart rate, it might be harder to notice heart-related symptoms that are caused by an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). If you have this condition, don't suddenly stop taking timolol since this can worsen thyroid problems.

                      dosage

                      Timolol dosage forms

                      The average cost for 60 tablets of 10mg of Timolol is $34.56 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 90.49% off the average retail price of $363.31.
                      tablet
                      Tablet
                      DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                      5mg90 tablets$40.09$0.45
                      10mg60 tablets$34.56$0.58
                      20mg360 tablets$27.26$0.08

                      Typical dosing for Timolol

                      • High blood pressure: The typical starting dose is 10 mg by mouth twice a day. Your prescriber will adjust your dose based on your heart rate and blood pressure. Most people take 20 to 40 mg total a day. The maximum dose is 60 mg total a day.

                      • Heart attack: The typical dose is 10 mg by mouth twice a day.

                      • Migraine prevention: The typical starting dose is 10 mg by mouth twice a day. Once you get used to the medication, you can take 20 mg once a day. Your prescriber will adjust your dose based on how you respond. The maximum dose is 30 mg total per day.

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                      How much does Timolol cost?

                      To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.View prices & coupons
                      contraindications-icon

                      Timolol contraindications

                      Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Timolol will not be safe for you to take.
                      alternatives

                      What are alternatives to Timolol?

                      There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Timolol. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                      Timolol
                      Used for:
                      $27.26 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                      Used for:
                      • High blood pressure

                      • Chest pain (angina)

                      • Lower the risk of hospitalization and death in heart failure

                      $6.90 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                      Used for:
                      $10.78 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
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                      Timolol images

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                      References

                      Best studies we found

                      Athem LLC. (2022). Timolol maleate tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.

                      Modi, S., et al. (2006). Medications for migraine prophylaxis. American Family Physician.

                      National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2022).

                      View All References (1)

                      Pratt, N. L., et al. (2015). Association between ophthalmic timolol and hospitalisation for bradycardia. Journal of Ophthalmology.

                      GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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