TIMOLOL MALEATE (OPHTHALMIC)
Indications / Pharmacology
Timolol maleate is used primarily to prevent the development of primaryglaucoma in the contralateral eye of a dog which has developed primary glaucoma in one eye. It onlyreduces intraocular pressure 3-10 mmHg and, therefore is of minimal usefulness in patients requiringtreatment of primary acute congestive glaucoma. Timolol's mechanism of action: decreases cyclic-AMPsynthesis in non-pigmented ciliary epithelium resulting in decreased aqueous humor production. It mayalso cause slight miosis in dogs and cats.Suggested Dosage/Precautions/Adverse Effects - One drop twice daily of the 0.5% solution. The 0.25%concentration has minimal efficacy in animals and is not worth using. While problems have rarely beennoted in veterinary medicine, ophthalmic beta blockers should be used with caution in patients withbronchoconstrictive disease or congestive heart failure.Dosage Forms/Preparations/FDA Approval Status - Veterinary-Approved Products: NoneHuman-Approved Products: Timolol Maleate 0.25% (see dosage above) or 0.5% solution in 2.5, 5, 10, and 15 ml Ocumeter® bottles; Timoptic® (MSD); (Rx)