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Timolol
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<p>Timolol is a <a href="/facts/Beta_blocker/PRsWgpLV">beta blocker</a> medication used either <a href="/facts/By_mouth/vNQcvLVx">by mouth</a> or as <a href="/facts/Eye_drops/TzKX8700">eye drops</a>. As eye drops it is used to treat increased <a href="/facts/Pressure_inside_the_eye/VVnweTza">pressure inside the eye</a> such as in <a href="/facts/Ocular_hypertension/PgzT17Tw">ocular hypertension</a> and <a href="/facts/Glaucoma/MWqWVNz3">glaucoma</a>. By mouth it is used for <a href="/facts/High_blood_pressure/wlAvBfcf">high blood pressure</a>, <a href="/facts/Angina/rT1brdwS">chest pain due to insufficient blood flow to the heart</a>, to prevent further complications after a <a href="/facts/Myocardial_infarction/xoGw0qcG">heart attack</a>, and to prevent <a href="/facts/Migraines/5XaE1W25">migraines</a>. </p><p>Common side effects with the drops is irritation of the eye. Common side effects by mouth include tiredness, <a href="/facts/Bradycardia/70msP5HD">slow heart beat</a>, itchiness, and <a href="/facts/Shortness_of_breath/1jBfFzxU">shortness of breath</a>. Other side effects include masking the symptoms of low blood sugar in those with <a href="/facts/Diabetes/2xeHXbsI">diabetes</a>. Use is not recommended in those with <a href="/facts/Asthma/7GkJvxn3">asthma</a>, uncompensated <a href="/facts/Heart_failure/7fckX3Jm">heart failure</a>, or <a href="/facts/Chronic_obstructive_pulmonary_disease/ud3oXGCr">chronic obstructive pulmonary disease</a> (COPD). It is unclear if use during pregnancy is safe for the fetus. Timolol is a <a href="/facts/Beta_blocker/PRsWgpLV">non-selective beta blocker</a>. </p><p>Timolol was patented in 1968, and came into medical use in 1978. It is on the <a href="/facts/WHO_Model_List_of_Essential_Medicines/6kmu81Xm">World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines</a>. Timolol is available as a <a href="/facts/Generic_medication/IF6AXDVX">generic medication</a>. In 2022, it was the 155th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 3 million prescriptions. </p>