Timoptic® (Timolol) Ophthalmic Solution for Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension

What Timolol Is and How It Works

Timolol is a nonselective beta blocker used as ophthalmic solution to lower elevated eye pressure. These timolol eye drops reduce aqueous humor production, which lowers intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Timolol cost without insurance can vary in the US, and many people look to Canadian pharmacies for lower pricing. YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy headquartered in Manitoba; prescriptions are reviewed by licensed pharmacists before dispensing, we offer brand and generic medicines at Canadian prices plus OTC health products, with online and phone ordering and customer-service chat during posted office hours.

We also partner with licensed, vetted international pharmacies to expand selection of authentic brands at fair prices across many eye-care therapies.

Timolol ophthalmic solution is commonly available in 0.25% and 0.5% strengths. Most adults start with one drop in the affected eye or eyes twice daily. If pressure is controlled, your prescriber may reduce dosing to once daily. If not, they may increase to 0.5% strength. Timolol can be used alone or with other glaucoma medicines, such as prostaglandin analogs, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, or alpha-agonists.

Dosage and Usage

• Typical initiation: 1 drop of 0.25% in the affected eye(s) twice daily. Your prescriber may adjust to 0.5% based on pressure response.
• Maintenance: once or twice daily per your treatment plan. Use at the same times each day.
• Technique: wash hands; tilt head back; pull down lower eyelid to make a pocket; hold the bottle over the eye without touching; instill 1 drop; close the eye gently for 2 minutes.
• Reduce systemic absorption: apply gentle pressure with a finger to the inner corner of the eye (punctal occlusion) for 1–2 minutes after each drop.
• Multiple eye medicines: separate each drop by at least 5–10 minutes to prevent washout.
• Contact lenses: remove before use; wait 15 minutes before reinserting soft lenses.
• Missed dose: use when remembered unless it is close to the next dose; do not double up.
• Do not touch the dropper tip to the eye, fingers, or any surface. Keep the cap on when not in use.

• Storage: store at 20–25°C (68–77°F); brief excursions 15–30°C (59–86°F) are acceptable. Do not freeze.
• Keep the bottle tightly closed, upright, and protected from light.
• Discard the bottle as directed on the label or 4 weeks after first opening if no specific date is provided.
• Travel: keep in your carry-on; avoid heat in cars; pack a spare bottle if you are away for several weeks.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not use if the solution changes color, becomes cloudy, or shows particles.

Benefits and Savings

Timolol offers reliable pressure reduction with a simple regimen. Many patients need only one or two daily doses. The long history of use and availability of generics support predictable results and broad access. If monotherapy is not enough, timolol combines well with other classes to reach target intraocular pressure.

Buying from Canada can mean meaningful savings. Typical customers report 60–80% lower prices compared with many US retail quotes. This can help if you pay cash and need to manage timolol cost without insurance across refills. Multi-month supplies may reduce the per-month price, and reorder reminders help you stay on track before you run out.

To see deals we may run, check our timolol coupon options when available.

We offer both timolol 0.5 eye drops and 0.25% strengths, and listings often include timolol eye drops price details by volume. You can review the price of timolol eye drops in your cart before you upload a prescription.

Side Effects and Safety

• Common: temporary burning or stinging, eye irritation, dry eyes, blurred vision after instillation, tearing, redness, headache.
• Less common: eye itching, photophobia, foreign-body sensation, eyelid inflammation.
• Systemic (rare with proper punctal occlusion): slow heart rate, low blood pressure, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, cold hands/feet.

Serious reactions are uncommon but can include bronchospasm (especially in asthma or COPD), bradycardia, heart block, worsening heart failure, or allergic reactions. Seek urgent care for breathing difficulty, fainting, chest pain, or swelling of the face or throat. Beta blockers can mask signs of hypoglycemia; if you use insulin or a sulfonylurea, be alert that sweating and fast heartbeat may be less noticeable during low blood sugar.

Onset Time

Timolol begins to lower eye pressure within about 20–30 minutes, with peak effect at 1–2 hours after a dose. The effect generally lasts 12 hours or longer with regular use. You may see the full pressure-lowering benefit within several days as dosing stabilizes. Keep taking timolol as prescribed, even if you do not feel symptoms, and attend follow-up checks to measure intraocular pressure and optic nerve health.

Compare With Alternatives

Prostaglandin analogs such as latanoprost lower pressure by increasing aqueous outflow and are often dosed once nightly. They can be used before or alongside timolol if single therapy does not achieve target pressure.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors reduce fluid production through a different pathway. Brinzolamide (brand Azopt®) is dosed two to three times daily and may be paired with timolol when additional reduction is needed.

Fixed combinations simplify regimens. A common option is Dorzolamide 2 Timolol 0 5 Ophthalmic Solution, which combines a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor with timolol to improve adherence with fewer bottles.

Other options include alpha agonists such as brimonidine, and prostaglandin variants like latanoprostene bunod. Your prescriber chooses based on target IOP, tolerance, and daily routine.

Combination Therapy

• With prostaglandin analogs (e.g., latanoprost): take drops at different times of day and separate by at least 5–10 minutes.
• With alpha agonists (brimonidine): space doses to avoid washout; monitor for dry mouth or fatigue.
• With carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (dorzolamide or brinzolamide): allow 5–10 minutes between products.
• Fixed combos (e.g., dorzolamide/timolol, brimonidine/timolol): follow the specific bottle’s directions to reduce dose burden.
• If you use insulin or a sulfonylurea, discuss symptom monitoring because beta blockers can mask low blood sugar signs.
• If you take an oral beta blocker, your clinician may adjust therapy to avoid excessive heart-rate lowering.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Timolol may suit adults with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who need pressure reduction with a convenient schedule. It may not be appropriate if you have asthma, severe COPD, sinus bradycardia, second- or third-degree AV block, overt heart failure, cardiogenic shock, or a known allergy to timolol. Use caution in diabetes, myasthenia gravis, and thyroid disorders. Tell your prescriber about other beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, digoxin, and clonidine.

Remove soft contact lenses before dosing, and wait 15 minutes before reinserting. If you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding, ask your prescriber about risks and alternatives. Do not switch strengths (0.25% to timolol 0.5 eye drops) without guidance.

To manage the timolol price, consider a 90-day supply if your prescription and state rules allow; multi-pack purchases can lower monthly cost. You can enable friendly reorder reminders in your account to avoid gaps in therapy. Many customers compare the cost of timolol eye drops across bottle sizes in the cart before checkout. These steps can help if you pay the timolol price without insurance.

Authoritative Sources

Timoptic (timolol maleate ophthalmic) manufacturer product page

FDA DailyMed: Timolol maleate ophthalmic solution prescribing information

Order Timolol from YouDrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express shipping.

This material is educational and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional. Always follow your prescriber’s directions and read the patient information that comes with your medicine.