Systemic Side Effects from Ophthalmic Timolol and Their Prevention

Topically applied ophthalmic drugs can occasionally produce adverse systemic effects due to systemic absorption of the drug or impediment of the drug's metabolism. Increasing evidence points to significant adverse systemic effects from topical ocular administration of timolol, a beta-adrenergic blocking agent marketed for the treatment of glaucoma. Various methods to decrease or avoid unwanted systemic effects from eyedrops are discussed, including avoidance of overdosage and how to apply eye medications.