Uses
This combination product is used to treat high pressure inside the eye due to glaucoma (open-angle type) or other eye diseases (such as ocular hypertension). Lowering high pressure inside the eye helps to prevent blindness. Travoprost is similar to a natural chemical in the body (prostaglandin) and works by controlling the flow of fluid within the eye to maintain a normal pressure. Timolol belongs to a class of drugs known as beta-blockers and works by decreasing the amount of fluid within the eye.
This medication is not recommended as the first medication for treating glaucoma. Your doctor will usually start you on the individual medications first, and then switch you over to this combination product if this is the best combination for you.
How To Use
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start using travoprost/timolol and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Use this medication in the affected eye(s) as directed by your doctor, usually once a day in the morning.
Remove contact lenses before using this medication because it contains a preservative that can be absorbed by them. Wait at least 15 minutes after using this medication before putting your lenses back in.
Do not use this medication more often because it will not work as well.
To apply eye drops, wash your hands first. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface. Tilt your head back, look upward and pull down the lower eyelid to make a pouch. Hold the dropper directly over your eye and place one drop into the pouch. Look downward and gently close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Place one finger at the corner of your eye (near the nose) and apply gentle pressure. This will prevent the medication from draining out. Try not to blink and do not rub your eye. Repeat these steps for your other eye if so directed.
Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap after each use.
If you are using another kind of eye medication (such as drops or ointments), wait at least 10 minutes before applying other medications. Use eye drops before eye ointments to allow the eye drops to enter the eye.
Wait several minutes for your vision to clear before driving or operating machinery.
Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time each day. Keep using travoprost/timolol even if you feel well. Most people with glaucoma or high pressure in the eye do not have symptoms.
Side Effects
Blurred vision, eye redness/discomfort/itching, feeling as if something is in your eye, dry eyes, watering eyes, eyelid crusting, increase in eyelash number/length/thickness, darkening of the eyelashes and eyelids, eyelid changes, headache, or increased sensitivity to light may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Travoprost may slowly (over months to years) cause brown discoloration of the colored part of the eye (iris). If you are using this medication in only one eye, only that iris may change color. This color change may be permanent, but the long-term effects are not known. Notify your doctor if this color change occurs, and schedule regular eye exams to monitor it.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:
- dizziness
- eye pain/swelling/discharge
- swelling/redness of the eyelids
- vision changes
- slow/irregular heartbeat
- muscle weakness
- unusual tiredness/weakness
- mental/mood changes (such as anxiety, depression)
- coldness/numbness/pain in the hands or feet
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including:
- dizziness that doesn't stop
- trouble breathing
- sudden unexplained weight gain
- chest pain
- weakness on one side of the body
- trouble speaking
- confusion
- fainting
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Precautions
Before using travoprost/timolol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to similar drugs (including beta-blockers such as betaxolol, levobunolol, or other prostaglandin-like drugs such as bimatoprost, latanoprost), or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as preservatives like benzalkonium chloride), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- lung disease (such as current or past history of asthma, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD)
- certain types of irregular heartbeats (such as sinus bradycardia, second- or third-degree AV block)
- certain types of heart disease (such as severe heart failure, cardiogenic shock)
- other eye problems (such as macular edema, iritis, uveitis, lens extraction/aphakia)
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- diabetes
- low blood flow to the brain (cerebrovascular insufficiency)
- overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- muscle weakness disorders (such as myasthenia gravis)
- severe allergies
If you develop an eye infection or injury, or have eye surgery, check with your doctor about whether you should continue to use your current bottle of travoprost/timolol. Your doctor may direct you to start using a new bottle.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
This product may prevent the fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually feel when your blood sugar level falls too low (hypoglycemia). The risk is higher if you have diabetes, or are vomiting, fasting, or not eating regularly. Other symptoms of low blood sugar level, such as dizziness and sweating, are not affected by this drug.
If you have diabetes, this product may make it harder to control your blood sugar levels. Check your blood sugar levels regularly as directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.
After you apply this drug, your vision may become temporarily blurred. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires clear vision until you can do it safely.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Timolol passes into breast milk. It is unknown if travoprost passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Drug Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include:
- beta-blockers taken by mouth (such as propranolol)
- clonidine
- certain antidepressants (including SSRIs such as fluoxetine)
- digoxin
- epinephrine
- eyelash treatment (such as topically applied bimatoprost)
- methyldopa
- prazosin
- quinidine
Overdose
This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Alberta residents can call PADIS (Poison and Drug Information Service) 24 hours a day at 1-800-332-1414. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. If accidentally swallowed, you may experience symptoms such as trouble breathing, slow/irregular heartbeat, chest pain.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as eye exams) may be done while you are using this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
If you have questions about missing a dose or you don't have more medication, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Storage
Store in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.