Are Arutimol Eye Drops Effective? Negative reviews and positive messages about this drug will be presented at the very end of the article. You will also learn about what this medicine is prescribed for, whether it has substitutes and contraindications.
Composition and description
What is a local medicine like Arutimol (eye drops)? Reviews say that it is a clear (0.5% or 0.25%) colorless solution (maybe with a yellowish tint), which does not have any smell.
The main component of the agent in question is timolol hydro maleate. Also, the composition of the drops includes such auxiliary elements as benzalkonium chloride, disodium edetate dihydrate, povidone, sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate, water d / and sodium dodecahydrate monohydrogen phosphate.
The drug “Arutimol” (eye drops), the instruction of which is in a pack of cardboard, goes on sale in plastic bottles.
Pharmacology of local medicine
What properties are inherent in the drug "Arutimol"? Eye drops, the instructions for use of which will be described below, are actively used as an antiglaucoma agent, as well as a non-selective beta 1 and beta 2 adrenergic receptor blocker.
The drug in question does not exhibit internal membrane-stabilizing and sympathomimetic activity. When used topically, eye drops reduce normal and increased eye pressure. This is due to a decrease in the formation of intraocular fluid.
It should also be noted that the use of this medication does not have any effect on the accommodation and pupil size.
The action of this tool appears 20 minutes after installation in the conjunctival sac. As for the maximum reduction in intraocular pressure, it is observed after 65-115 minutes and persists throughout the day.
Kinetics of a local drug
Is the drug “Arutimol” (eye drops) absorbed? The instruction states that with topical use of timolol, maleate undergoes systemic absorption only to a small extent. After instillation of the drug, the maximum concentration of this substance in the aqueous humor of the anterior chamber of the visual organ is reached after 60-100 minutes.
In a small amount, the medication in question enters the systemic bloodstream by absorption through the vessels of the conjunctiva, lacrimal tract and mucous membranes of the nasal cavity. It is excreted by the renal system in the form of metabolites.
In young children and newborn babies, the highest concentration of timolol in the blood exceeds the above figure in the plasma of adult patients.
Indications
In what diseases is the patient prescribed Arutimol (eye drops)? The instruction states the following indications for the use of this tool:
- open-angle glaucoma;
- increased intraocular pressure, or so-called ocular hypertension;
- secondary glaucoma, including aphakic;
- congenital glaucoma (used with insufficient effectiveness of other therapeutic measures);
- angle-closure glaucoma, including in combination with myotics (in the form of an additional drug to reduce eye pressure).
Contraindications
In what cases is it forbidden to use Arutimol eye drops? From infant hemangiomas, they help very well (applied topically three times a day), but they can not be used for:
- AV blockade of the III or II degree;
- chronic obstructive airway diseases, including bronchial asthma;
- severe heart failure;
- sinus bradycardia;
- corneal dystrophy;
- cardiogenic shock;
- allergic reactions, accompanied by generalized skin rashes;
- severe atrophic rhinitis;
- hypersensitivity to timolol and other elements of the local medicine.
With caution, this drug should be prescribed to people with pulmonary insufficiency, chronic heart failure, severe cerebrovascular insufficiency, thyrotoxicosis, diabetes mellitus, myasthenia gravis and hypoglycemia, as well as in parallel with other beta-blockers.
The drug "Arutimol" (eye drops): instructions
At what dosage is the medication in question prescribed to patients? According to the instructions, this drug is used in the amount of one drop (0.5% or 0.25% solution) twice a day. After stabilizing the pressure, this dose should be reduced to one drop per day.
How should I use Arutimol eye drops? How to apply them at home? Experts say that for effective therapy, the medication in question should be instilled in the conjunctival sac (lower) only of the affected organ.
It should be noted that the mentioned drug is intended for prolonged use. In this case, the patient must be warned that a break in the use of the medication or a change in the recommended dosage can be carried out only on the recommendation of a doctor.
Side effects
Now you know what the Arutimol preparation (eye drops) is for? Instructions, analogues of this medication are presented in the article.
Experts argue that the use of the drug in question can cause the following side effects:
- heart failure, eczema, collapse, bradycardia, urticaria;
- irritation, decreased blood pressure, AV block, dizziness, cardiac arrest, hyperemia of the skin of the eyelids and conjunctiva, depression, pulmonary failure;
- itching and burning in the eyes, shortness of breath, bradyarrhythmia, lacrimation, headache, photophobia;
- paresthesia, corneal epithelial edema, bronchospasm, superficial punctate keratopathy, weakness, transient cerebrovascular accident;
- corneal hyposthesia, diarrhea, diplopia, nausea, ptosis, rhinitis, dry eyes;
- retinal detachment in the postoperative period, sexual dysfunction, apnea in newborns, alopecia.
Overdose cases
What signs of an overdose can occur when using a large amount of the drug in question? According to the instructions, eye drops used in high doses can cause dizziness, arrhythmias, headaches, bradycardia, nausea, bronchospasm and vomiting.
To eliminate such phenomena, experts recommend rinsing the eyes with saline or plain water. In case of acute need, symptomatic treatment can be carried out.
Drug Interactions
How does the drug in question work when combined with other drugs?
The combined use of Arutimol with eye drops containing adrenaline can cause a significant expansion of the pupil.
A decrease in blood pressure, as well as a slowdown in heart rate, are often observed with the combined use of a local drug with reserpine, calcium channel blockers and beta-blockers.
The decrease in eye pressure is enhanced by the parallel use of drops that contain pilocarpine and adrenaline.
The simultaneous use of a drug with hypoglycemic agents for oral use and insulin can lead to the development of hypoglycemia.
Timolol significantly enhances the therapeutic effect of muscle relaxants.
Special information
Before prescribing the medication in question, the patient should be warned about the need to regularly visit a doctor to measure eye pressure and examine the cornea.
If the patient wears soft contact lenses, the Arutimol preparation is contraindicated, since the preservative contained in the solution may be deposited in the lenses and have an adverse effect on the tissues of the visual organs.
As for hard contact lenses, an interval of ¼ hours should be observed before instilling the medicine and reinstalling it.
Before the upcoming surgery with general anesthesia, the instillation of "Arutimol" must be stopped exactly two days later.
It is strictly forbidden to use two beta-blockers at the same time.
Arutimol eye drops: customer reviews and analogues
In case of urgent need, this medication can be replaced with drugs such as “Triobon”, “Timolol”, “Normax”, “Stillavit”, “Phloxal” and others.
Most patients using Arutimol eye drops are satisfied with their action. They argue that this tool treats diseases of the visual organs such as glaucoma (open-angle, congenital, secondary and angle-closure) well. Moreover, the use of this medication effectively reduces high eye pressure and eliminates the so-called intraocular hypertension.
As for negative messages, most often they contain information about the development of a large number of side effects, including from the organs of vision and the respiratory system.