Bimatoprost + Timolol - Ophthalmic

Bimatoprost and Timolol are combined in this medicine.

Bimatoprost + Timolol is used to treat increased pressure in the eye in certain eye conditions.

Instil Bimatoprost + Timolol eye drop solution in the affected eye(s) exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not use more or less than instructed by your doctor.

To use the eye drop solution, follow these steps:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before using the eye drops.
2. Tilt your head slightly backwards. With the index finger, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Look upward and instil the required number of drops inside the lower eyelid.
3. Close your eye and do not blink. Using your index finger, gently press the inner corner of your eye by the nose for 2 minutes. This may help prevent the absorption of Bimatoprost + Timolol into other parts of the body.
4. Wipe any excess liquid from your face with a clean tissue.
5. Replace and tighten the cap of the bottle.

Do not allow the tip of the dropper of this medicine to touch your eyes, eyelids, or any other surface. Recap the eye drop immediately after use. If the eye drop becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in your eyes.

If you have been given any other eye drops or medicines to be used together with this medicine, wait for at least 5 minutes before using the other medicine.

Do not share your eye drops with anyone else.

Some brands of Bimatoprost + Timolol contain benzalkonium chloride as a preservative. This may discolour soft contact lenses and cause eye irritation. If you are wearing contact lenses, you should remove them before instilling the eye drops. Wait for at least 15 minutes before reinserting your lenses.

Bimatoprost + Timolol must be used regularly for it to be effective. Continue using this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop using it unless instructed by the doctor.

Instil the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose to make up for a missed dose.

If you often forget to instil your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.

Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• breathing problems or lung disease e.g. asthma, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD (a long-term lung disease that causes airflow obstruction making it hard to breathe)
• heart disease e.g. slow heartbeat, sick sinus syndrome (abnormal heart rhythms due to problems with your heart's natural pacemaker), 2nd- or 3rd-degree heart block not controlled by a pacemaker (device implanted in the chest that helps control your heartbeat), heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood), cardiogenic shock (a serious sudden condition when the heart cannot supply enough oxygen-rich blood to the brain and vital organs of the body)

as Bimatoprost + Timolol may not be suitable for you.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• other heart diseases or problems e.g. 1st-degree heart block, Prinzmetal angina (a rare type of chest pain that occurs when a person is at rest)
• poor blood circulation to the arms and legs e.g. Raynaud's disease (a condition which makes the toes and fingers numb and pale when feeling cold or stressed)
• mild to moderate COPD
• diabetes
• other eye conditions e.g. corneal disease (a condition affecting the clear outer layer of the eye), absence of lens in the eye, artificial lens in the eye, inflammation in the middle layer of the eye
• history of severe allergic reaction
• disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain
• muscle weakness disorder
• kidney disease
• liver disease

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

For as long as you are using Bimatoprost + Timolol, you may need to have your eyes checked regularly. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have this test.

Bimatoprost + Timolol may cause your vision to be temporarily blurred. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to see clearly.

Your eye colour may change to brown. This may not go back to normal and may happen a few months to years after using this medicine. Inform your doctor if your eye colour changes.

Other side effects include any of the following: headache, stuffy or runny nose, increased eyelash length and thickness, darkening of eyelid or skin around the eye, burning, itching, or pain in the eye, watery eyes, and swollen eyelids.

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• medicines for high blood pressure e.g. guanethidine, propranolol, amlodipine
• medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. amiodarone, quinidine
• medicines to treat depression e.g. fluoxetine, paroxetine

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Bimatoprost + Timolol.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Throw away any remaining eye drops 28 days after opening. Mark the date of opening on the eye drop bottle so that you know when to discard it.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.