Blocadren

Timolol, also known and sold under the trade name of Blocadren, is a product which belongs to the group of drugs known as beta blockers.

This medication is used in the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension). By lowering the blood pressure, it helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.

It is considered to work by blocking the action of a certain substance, known as epinephrine. This medication is also used to help prevent migraines. It is available in the form of a tablet.

Before the decision to start the treatment with this medication is made, it is essential to get informed about the expected beneficial effects, as well as, about the potential side effects and risks. For the decision to be made, the beneficial effects must outweigh the potential risks. This is a decision that you and your doctor, together will have to make. During the consultations, it is important to inform the doctor about:

Allergies

Inform the doctor about any allergic reactions to any kind of medications, prescribed or no prescribed. Also, inform the healthcare professional about any allergic reactions to any specific kind of food, dye, fabric and etc.

Pediatric

There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used within pediatric patients. This medication is not recommended to be used within pediatric patients. However, it could be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.

Geriatric

Proper studies done have shown that there are no age-connected problems when this medication has been used within geriatric patients. However, because of the increased risk of kidney, liver and heart problems within the elderly, this medication must be used with extra caution.

Pregnancy

Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future. There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used during pregnancy. It is unknown if this medication would harm the fetus. This medication is not recommended to be used during pregnancy. However, it could be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.

Breastfeeding

Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding. Proper studies done have confirmed that this medication is extracted in the milk, as well as, that it poses a minimal risk to the infant while being used during the period or breastfeeding.

Drug interactions

Inform the doctor if you are currently using any other medications, prescribed or no prescribed, even vitamins and herbal tea. This is important because certain medications are not recommended to be used in a combination with others, due to the possibility that certain interactions could occur. However, sometimes the doctor may decide to use a certain type of a combination, including two or more medications, to treat your condition if he or she considers that combination to prove as beneficial regarding your condition.

Other interactions

Certain medications are not recommended to be used in a combination with specific type of a food, tobacco and alcohol. Because of this, it is essential to get informed if there is a need for you to follow a specific type of diet, and discontinue your use of tobacco and alcohol during the treatment.

Other medical problems

Inform the doctor about your medical history, any other medical problems and conditions from the past or at the moment. Especially, if there are any of the following conditions present – angina, bradycardia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart block/failure, blood vessel disease, stroke, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hypoglycemia, kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, or myasthenia gravis.

For proper use, follow the directions given by your doctor. This medication is available in the form of a tablet, taken orally, with or without food, as directed by your doctor.

Take the tablet whole. Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet. The dose is individual for every patient, prescribed by the doctor and based on you condition, weight and the prognosis of the treatment. The usual dose is 60 milligrams, daily.

In order to get the most beneficial effects from its use, remember to take each dose regularly.

If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not double to catch up. This medication is harmful in case of an overdose.

If an overdose is suspected, contact the doctor right away for further directions.

Visit your doctor regularly, at your scheduled appointments, so that your doctor would be able to track your condition and make any adjustments if needed regarding the dose, e.g. the doctor may decide to increase or decrease the dose, or to the treatment itself – the doctor may decide to discontinue your treatment with this medication, if there are any serious side effects present that would worsen your condition or if your condition does not improve.

Inform the doctor about any allergic reaction to any kind of medication, prescribed or no prescribed. This is important because this medication may contain inactive substances that could cause certain interactions to occur. Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future.

This medication is not recommended to be used during pregnancy, due to the lack of studies that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used during pregnancy. The doctor will probably advise you to start using a proven form of birth control to help prevent pregnancy during the treatment.

Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding.

This is important because this medication is not recommended to be used during breastfeeding, due to the studies which show that this medication poses a minimal risk to the infant, and that it is extracted in the milk. This medication may cause dizziness. Avoid driving and any other activities which require alertness during the treatment.

Along with its expected beneficial effects, there are potential side effects which could occur. These side effects do not occur within all patients, also they could be mild or more serious. However, it is essential to get informed about the potential side effects, so that you would be able to notice their presence and report it to the doctor as soon as possible.

Common side effects

• tiredness,
• slow heartbeat,
• dizziness.

These side effects are common and are not considered as serious.

However, if their presence persists or worsens, inform the doctor as soon as possible.

Serious side effects

• very slow heartbeat,
• severe dizziness,
• fainting,
• blue fingers/toes,
• trouble breathing,
• new or worsening symptoms of heart failure,
• mood changes.

These are serious side effects, whose presence must be reported to the doctor right away.

A very serious allergic reaction to this medication is not common.

If you notice any of the following symptoms, inform the doctor as soon as possible

• skin rash,
• itching/swelling of the face/tongue/hands/feet,
• severe dizziness,
• trouble breathing.