In the article we will consider analogues of "Timolol". This medication is a non-selective beta-blocker for local use. In addition, it is an anti-glaucoma drug that does not have sympathomimetic activity.
During topical application, it helps to reduce intraocular pressure due to a significant reduction in the processes of moisture production and a slight increase in its outflow. Having such an effect, the medication does not affect the accommodation and pupil size, as a result of which there is no deterioration in visual acuity or a decrease in its quality at night.
Instructions and side effects
In the initial period of the disease, the drug is prescribed 1-2 drops in the diseased organ of vision (eye drops 0.25% or 0.5%) 2 times a day. If intraocular pressure during normal use comes back to normal, the dose is reduced to 1 drop in the morning once a day. Treatment "Timolol" - long, a break is possible only by decision of the attending physician.
Despite the effectiveness, many patients prefer to use analogues of "Timolol" with fewer side effects. Let's consider in more detail. Possible negative reactions from the use of the remedy we describe include:
- burning, itching in the eyes;
- redness of the conjunctiva and skin of the eyelids;
- lacrimation, decreased lacrimation, photophobia, swelling of the corneal epithelium;
- visual impairment;
- blepharitis;
- conjunctivitis;
- a decrease in the transparency of the cornea (pinpoint keratopathy), a decrease in its sensitivity;
- ptosis, diplopia;
- bradyarrhythmia, decreased myocardial contractility, bradycardia, heart failure, AV block, chest pain, cerebrovascular accident, collapse, cardiac arrest;
- drowsiness, headache, dizziness, hallucinations, decreased reaction rate, depression, paresthesia;
- decreased potency;
- nasal congestion, nosebleeds, shortness of breath, bronchospasm, pulmonary insufficiency;
- diarrhea, vomiting, nausea;
- ringing in the ears, muscle weakness, urticaria.
Analogs of "Timolol" in drops
This tool has an extensive list of analogues. However, many drugs from it may not be suitable for the patient. Therefore, in order to achieve the best therapeutic effect, it is best to select analogues and synonyms of “Timolol” with fewer side effects. They include:
- Arutimol;
- Glaumol;
- Oftan;
- "Dorzolamide."
In order to figure out which drug is best used in each case, you need to consider each of them individually.
Analogs of the gel "Timolol"
The best synonym for the drug is Oftan Timogel, a non-selective beta-blocker. It has the ability to reduce pressure in the organs of vision by reducing the intensity of production of aqueous humor.
It is used as an anti-glaucoma medicine, it affects the processes of fluid outflow inside the eye. Weak anesthetic, does not affect visual acuity. The mechanism of action of the active substance is not yet fully understood.
Arutimol
This is a French medication, an analogue of "Timolol" in the form of eye drops. The active substance in it is timolol, a non-selective beta-1 and beta-2 receptor blocker. For this element, the internal membrane-stabilizing and sympathomimetic activity is uncharacteristic.
With local use, this drug helps to reduce both normal and increased intraocular pressure due to the suppression of the processes of tear fluid production. The substance does not change pupil size and accommodation. Its therapeutic effect becomes noticeable approximately 20 minutes after instillation into the organs of vision.
Intraocular pressure decreases after a maximum of 1-2 hours. The prolonged effect of the drug is observed throughout the day.
Arutimol medication is prescribed with high intraocular pressure (ocular hypertension), secondary, angle-closure glaucoma (as an adjuvant at the same time as myotics), with open-angle and congenital glaucoma, if other therapeutic measures become insufficiently effective.
What negative reactions does it cause?
When using these eye drops, less severe side effects may occur than from the drug "Timolol":
- dyspnea;
- photophobia;
- corneal irritation and conjunctival hyperemia;
- ptosis;
- lacrimation or dry eyes;
- dizziness and weakness;
- paresthesia;
- bradycardia;
- nausea.
With hypersensitivity, allergic reactions in the form of eczema and urticaria may occur.
Contraindications
In the list of contraindications to this medication, it should be noted:
- sinus bradycardia;
- chronic obstructive airways pathologies;
- severe heart failure;
- High degree AV block;
- cardiogenic shock;
- dystrophic lesions of the cornea;
- allergic reactions with skin rashes;
- atrophic rhinitis;
- sensitivity to the active substance.
Glaumol
This analogue of “Timolol” is in the form of eye drops. It has anti-glaucoma and beta-adrenolytic effects. When applied locally, it reduces intraocular pressure as a result of a decrease in fluid production in the organs of vision.
The active substances of this drug quickly penetrate through the cornea and reach a maximum concentration in 1-2 hours in the aqueous medium of the anterior eye chamber. In a small amount, the agent can penetrate into the systemic circulation by absorbing the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane of the nose and the lacrimal canal by the vessels. Excretion of metabolites occurs mainly through the kidneys.
In what cases is appointed?
This medication is indicated for high intraocular pressure, congenital, open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma, aphakic and other secondary species.
Contraindications to the use of these eye drops are hypersensitivity to timolol, sinus bradycardia, bronchial asthma and other severe obstructive respiratory diseases, heart failure, allergic reactions.
In most cases, local reactions act as similar phenomena from the effects of this pharmacological agent: hyperemia and irritation of the conjunctiva, burning in the eyes, photophobia and lacrimation, corneal edema, superficial keratopathy, diplopia, corneal hypesthesia, ptosis, dry eyes. When carrying out anti-glaucomatous fistulizing operations, there may be a detachment of the vascular cover in the recovery period.
Next, consider what other analogues of eye drops "Timolol" are.
Oftan
It is a combination medicine that improves the energy metabolism in the lens.
The medicine is used for cataracts and contains such active elements as nicotinamide, cytochrome C, adenosine. These substances are part of the metabolites of the optic lens, coenzymes of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, with an increase in the content of which the period of cataract development is significantly reduced.
The substance adenosine is a precursor to the angiotensin converting enzyme. It participates in the metabolic process in the lens, dilates blood vessels, promotes the rapid restoration of microcirculation in the eyes, normalizes blood oxygen saturation and the removal of toxins, and actively stimulates A2 receptors in cell membranes. Due to this, the processes of inflammation in the cornea, anterior chamber of the eye and the conjunctiva are slowed down.
Being a component of the enzyme glutathione reductase and NADP, adenosine is a mediator in the processes of glutathione reduction occurring in the lens.
The substance cytochrome C is an antioxidant that neutralizes the effect of free radicals on the cornea of the eye. Participates in biochemical oxidative and reduction processes in the eyeball. By acting directly on the lens, this substance inhibits the production of cytochrome oxidase, thereby reducing the likelihood of developing cataracts.
Eye drops are a low-toxic drug, so they can be used for preventive purposes.
The analogue of “Timolol” “Oftan” has an effect not only on the lens. It has been established that it has antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and disinfecting effects on the surface of the eye, it stops the development of infectious diseases in its anterior sections. The medicine moisturizes and eliminates fatigue of the organs of vision.
Indications for use
According to the instructions, Oftan drops are indicated for the treatment of cataracts of various origins. The list of contraindications for this medication is small - the age is up to 18 years and hypersensitivity.
The drug is considered an analogue of the drug "Timolol" for therapeutic effect. In comparison, Oftan has a rather narrow range of side effects, which include:
- contact dermatitis;
- burning sensation in the eyes;
- conjunctivitis of allergic genesis;
- short tingling;
- short-term shortness of breath;
- dizziness;
- nausea;
- arterial hypotension;
- a feeling of ripple and heat in the temples.
Dorzolamide
This is another analogue of Timolol. Eye drops are classified as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. The drug selectively inhibits the functionality of human carbonic anhydrase II, an enzyme that is present in many tissues (including the eye) and is involved in the processes of carbonic acid dehydration and carbon dioxide hydration. In humans, this substance is represented by various isoenzymes, the most active of which is carbonic anhydrase II. By inhibiting the ciliary body of the eye, it helps to reduce the production of intraocular fluid (mainly by reducing the formation of bicarbonate ions with a further decrease in the transport of fluid and sodium ions).
With local use of the analogue "Timolol" "Dorzolamide" in the form of a 2% solution for the eyes, the level of intraocular pressure decreases. It, in turn, is a leading risk factor for damage to the optic nerves and glaucomatous lesions of the visual organs.
Dorzolamide hydrochloride is indicated for the treatment of increased intraocular pressure in people with open-angle glaucoma and hypertension.
The only contraindication to the use of the analogue of “Timolol” eye drops “Dorzolamide” is hypersensitivity. Their use is fraught with the possible occurrence of some adverse reactions. However, in comparison with those observed during treatment with the original remedy, such negative symptoms are extremely minor and in most cases manifest themselves in the form of irritation reactions.
Reviews
There are a lot of reviews about the drug "Timolol" and its analogues. Among them there are both positive and negative opinions.
Patients who used Timolol noted the occurrence of many side effects, which in some cases even became the basis for drug withdrawal. Such symptoms were severe pain in the eyes, systemic disorders, severe headaches, and palpitations. This category of patients had to consult a doctor for the appointment of another type of drops.
There are many positive reviews about Oftan drops. Doctors call this modern drug safer effective than "Timolol" and its structural analogues. The medication practically does not provoke discomfort and pain reactions, but acts quite effectively.
We reviewed the instructions and analogues for eye drops "Timolol".