Betimol

Uses

Betimol Maleate Ophthalmic Solution is used for the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma.

Betimol is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Increased Intra Ocular Pressure (IOP), Migraine, Ocular Hypertension, Open Angle Glaucoma (OAG)

How Betimol works

Betimol competes with adrenergic neurotransmitters for binding to beta(1)-adrenergic receptors in the heart and the beta(2)-receptors in the vascular and bronchial smooth muscle. This leads to diminished actions of catecholamines, which normally bind to adrenergic receptors and exert sympathetic effects leading to an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Beta(1)-receptor blockade by timolol leads to a decrease in both heart rate and cardiac output during rest and exercise, and a decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In addition to this, a reduction in reflex orthostatic hypotension may also occur. The blockade of beta(2) receptors by timolol in the blood vessels leads to a decrease in peripheral vascular resistance, reducing blood pressure.

The exact mechanism by which timolol reduces ocular pressure is unknown at this time, however, it likely decreases the secretion of aqueous humor in the eye. According to one study, the reduction of aqueous humor secretion may occur through the decreased blood supply to the ciliary body resulting from interference with the active transport system or interference with prostaglandin biosynthesis.

Dosage

Betimol dosage

Eye drops Solution: Initially, instill 1 drop of 0.25% solution bid into the affected eye(s), may increase to 1 drop of 0.5% solution bid if there is inadequate response; decrease to 1 drop once daily if controlled. Do not exceed 1 drop bid of 0.5% solution.

Gel-forming eye drops:0.25% or 0.5% Gel-forming eye drops: Instill 1 drop into the affected eye(s) once daily.

Side Effects

Burning and stinging sensation of the eyes, bradycardia, hypotension, arrhythmia and AV or SA nodal block, CHF, pulmonary oedema, Raynaud's phenomenon, headache, dizziness, fatigue, asthenia, abdominal discomfort, nausea, constipation, hypoglycaemia.

Toxicity

The oral LD50 for timolol maleate is 1028 mg/kg in the rat and 1137 mg/kg in the mouse.

Symptoms of timolol overdose may include dizziness, headache, shortness of breath, bradycardia, in addition to bronchospasm. Sometimes, an overdose may lead to cardiac arrest. An overdose of timolol can be reversed with dialysis, however, patients with renal failure may not respond as well to dialysis treatment.

Precaution

Patients with inadequate cardiac function, DM, myasthenia gravis, cerebrovascular insufficiency, history of atopy. Avoid abrupt withdrawal as it may exacerbate angina symptoms or precipitate MI in patients with coronary artery disease, or precipitate thyroid crisis in patients with thyrotoxicosis. Patients undergoing major surgery. May mask signs of hyperthyroidism and hypoglycaemia. Ophth soln should not be used as monotherapy for angle-closure glaucoma. Renal and hepatic impairment. Pregnancy and lactation.

Interaction

Although Betimol used alone has little or no effect on pupil size, mydriasis resulting from concomitant therapy with Betimol Maleate and epinephrine has been reported occasionally. Drug interactions of Betimol Maleate have been noticed with concomitant administration of beta-adrenergic blocking agents (both oral and topical), calcium antagonists, catecholamine-depleting drugs, digitalis, quinidin, clonidine, injectable epinephrine.

Food Interaction

Betimol Alcohol interaction

[Moderate]

Many psychotherapeutic and CNS-active agents (e.g., anxiolytics, sedatives, hypnotics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, opioids, alcohol, muscle relaxants) exhibit hypotensive effects, especially during initiation of therapy and dose escalation.

Coadministration with antihypertensives and other hypotensive agents, in particular vasodilators and alpha-blockers, may result in additive effects on blood pressure and orthostasis.

Caution and close monitoring for development of hypotension is advised during coadministration of these agents.

Some authorities recommend avoiding alcohol in patients receiving vasodilating antihypertensive drugs.

Patients should be advised to avoid rising abruptly from a sitting or recumbent position and to notify their physician if they experience dizziness, lightheadedness, syncope, orthostasis, or tachycardia.

Betimol Cholesterol interaction

[Moderate] Beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agents (aka beta-blockers) may alter serum lipid profiles.

Increases in serum VLDL and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as decreases in HDL cholesterol, have been reported with some beta-blockers.

Patients with preexisting hyperlipidemia may require closer monitoring during beta-blocker therapy, and adjustments made accordingly in their lipid-lowering regimen.

Betimol multivitamins interaction

[Moderate] ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Concurrent administration with calcium salts may decrease the oral bioavailability of atenolol and possibly other beta-blockers.

The exact mechanism of interaction is unknown.

In six healthy subjects, calcium 500 mg (as lactate, carbonate, and gluconate) reduced the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of atenolol (100 mg) by 51% and 32%, respectively.

The elimination half-life increased by 44%.

Twelve hours after the combination, beta-blocking activity (as indicated by inhibition of exercise tachycardia) was reduced compared to that with atenolol alone.

However, during a 4-week treatment in six hypertensive patients, there was no difference in blood pressure values between treatments.

The investigators suggest that prolongation of the elimination half-life induced by calcium coadministration may have led to atenolol cumulation during long-term dosing, which compensated for the reduced bioavailability.

It may help to separate the administration times of beta-blockers and calcium products by at least 2 hours.

Patients should be monitored for potentially diminished beta-blocking effects following the addition of calcium therapy.

Betimol Drug Interaction

Moderate: furosemideMinor: aspirin, aspirin, warfarin, levothyroxineUnknown: rosuvastatin, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, atorvastatin, bimatoprost ophthalmic, metoprolol, polyethylene glycol 3350, esomeprazole, clopidogrel, travoprost ophthalmic, travoprost ophthalmic, acetaminophen, cyanocobalamin, ascorbic acid, cholecalciferol, latanoprost ophthalmic

Betimol Disease Interaction

Major: bradyarrhythmia/AV block, cardiogenic shock/hypotension, CHF, diabetes, hemodialysis, hypersensitivity, ischemic heart disease, PVD, asthma/COPD, renal/liver diseaseModerate: cerebrovascular insufficiency, glaucoma, hyperlipidemia, hyperthyroidism, myasthenia gravis, pheochromocytoma, psoriasis, tachycardia, Prinzmetal's variant angina

Volume of Distribution

1.3 - 1.7 L/kg

Betimol is distributed to the following tissues: the conjunctiva, cornea, iris, sclera, aqueous humor, kidney, liver, and lung.

Elimination Route

The systemic bioavailability of the ophthalmic eyedrop in one study of healthy volunteers was 78.0 ± 24.5% , indicating that caution must be observed when this drug is administered, as it may be significantly absorbed and have various systemic effects. Another study measured the bioavailability of timolol eyedrops to be 60% in healthy volunteers.

The peak concentration of ophthalmic timolol in plasma, Cmax was about 1.14 ng/ml in most subjects within 15 minutes following the administration of timolol by the ophthalmic route. The mean area under the curve (AUC) was about 6.46 ng/ml per hour after intravenous injection and about 4.78 ng/ml per hour following eyedrop administration.

Half Life

Betimol half-life was measured at 2.9 ± 0.3 h hours in a clinical study of healthy volunteers.

Clearance

One pharmacokinetic study in healthy volunteers measured the total plasma clearance of timolol to be 557 ± 61 ml/min. Another study determined the total clearance 751.5 ± 90.6 ml/min and renal clearance to be 97.2 ± 10.1 ml/min in healthy volunteers.

Elimination Route

Betimol and its metabolites are mainly found excreted in the urine.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Betimol should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Lactation: Betimol has been detected in breast milk following oral and ophthalmic drug administration. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions from Betimol in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Contraindication

Betimol is contraindicated in patients with bronchial asthma, a history of bronchial asthma, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sinus bradycardia, second or third degree atrioventricular block, overt cardiac failure, cardiogenic shock, hypersensitivity to any component of this product.

Acute Overdose

There have been reports of inadvertent overdosage with Betimol Ophthalmic Solution resulting in systemic effects similar to those seen with systemic beta-adrenergic blocking agents such as dizziness, headache, shortness of breath, bradycardia, bronchospasm, and cardiac arrest.

Storage Condition

Store between 15-30° C. Avoid freezing and protect from light.

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