General information
Like other ophthalmic drugs for topical use, travoprost and timolol are absorbed into the systemic circulation. Due to the presence of an ophthalmic drug timolol having beta-adrenoceptor blocking action may develop the same types of adverse reactions to the cardiovascular system, lungs and other organs, and that by using systemic beta-blockers.
Heart Disease
In patients with diseases of the cardiovascular system (eg, coronary heart disease, Prinzmetal angina, heart failure) and hypotension, it is necessary to critically evaluate the feasibility of using beta-blockers and consider the possibility of using other active substances. Patients with diseases of the cardiovascular system should be assessed for signs of worsening of the course of these diseases and development of undesirable reactions.
Since beta-blockers have a negative effect on the timing, they should be used with caution in patients with stage I atrioventricular block.
Vascular disorders
In patients with severe impairment or diseases of peripheral circulation (ie severe forms of the disease or Reynaud's syndrome), treatment should be conducted with caution.
Breathing disorders
It is necessary to monitor the patient's condition before and during therapy with timolol. After using some ophthalmic drugs from the group of beta-blockers, cases of respiratory reactions, including death from bronchospasm in patients suffering from bronchial asthma, are described.
In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of mild to moderate severity, DuoTra® should be used with caution and only if the intended benefit exceeds the possible risk.
Hypoglycemia / diabetes mellitus
In patients prone to the development of spontaneous hypoglycemia, as well as in patients with a labile course of diabetes mellitus, beta-blockers should be used with caution, as they can mask the signs and symptoms of acute hypoglycemia.
Hyperthyroidism
Beta-blockers can mask the signs of hyperthyroidism.
Muscle weakness
It was reported that beta-adrenoblockers can potentiate muscle weakness, which is consistent with certain symptoms of myasthenia gravis (eg, diplopia, ptosis and generalized muscle weakness).
Diseases of the cornea
Beta-blockers for ophthalmic use can cause dry eyes. The drug should be used with caution in patients with corneal disease.
Vascular wall detachment
In patients who used drugs that inhibit the production of aqueous humor (eg, timolol and acetazolamide), after the fistulaizing operations of the organ of vision, there were cases of detachment of the choroid.
Other beta blockers
When using timolol in patients who already use systemic beta-blockers, it is possible to increase the effect on intraocular pressure or other known effects of systemic beta-blockers. The response to therapy in such patients should be carefully monitored. The use of two beta-blockers for topical application is not recommended (see.section Interaction with other medicinal products).
Skin contact
Prostaglandins and prostaglandin analogues are biologically active substances that can be absorbed through the skin. Women during pregnancy, as well as women planning a pregnancy, should take appropriate precautions to prevent the contents of the vial from getting directly onto the skin. If a significant part of the contents of the vial is still on the skin (which is unlikely), the area of skin that the preparation has got should be washed immediately with water.
Anaphylactic reactions
The use of timolol by patients with atopy or severe pathological reactions to various allergens in the anamnesis can provoke more severe reactions in response to the administration of various allergens. Such patients may respond poorly to the administration of conventional doses of epinephrine to relieve anaphylactic reactions.
Effects on the eyes
Travoprost can gradually change the color of the eyes, increasing the amount of melanosomes (pigment granules) in melanocytes. Before starting treatment, patients should be informed of the possibility of a permanent change in eye color.Treatment of only one eye can lead to permanent heterochromia. Long-term effects on melanocytes and the effects of this effect are currently unknown.
The change in the color of the iris occurs slowly and may not be noticeable for several months or years.
The change in eye color is predominantly observed in patients with mixed color of the iris (blue-brown, gray-brown, yellow-brown or green-brown), a similar effect was observed in patients with brown eyes. In typical cases, brown pigmentation around the pupil extends concentrically to the periphery of the iris of the eye; in connection with which the entire iris or its parts become more brown. After the termination of therapy, no further accumulation of brown pigment in the iris was noted.
When using travoprost was reported on the darkening of the skin of the periorbital region and (or) eyelids.
Travoprost can gradually change the state of the eyelashes in the treated eye (s); These changes include changes in length, thickness, pigmentation, and (or) the number of eyelashes.
The mechanism of these changes is not currently established.
The drug contains propylene glycol, which can cause irritation of the skin!
The drug contains macrogol glyceryl hydroxy stearate, which can cause reactions from the skin.
During treatment with prostaglandin analogues F2α marked macular edema.
Travoprost should be used with caution in patients with neovascular, occlusive, narrow-angle glaucoma, pigmented and congenital glaucoma, open-angle glaucoma with pseudophakia, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, inflammatory diseases of the eye, aphakia, pseudophakia with ruptured posterior lens capsule or anterocular intraocular lens, as well as in patients with risk factors for macular edema, iritis, uveitis.
When using analogues of prostaglandin, periorbital area and eyelid changes were noted. Deepening of the groove of the eyelids was noted only in the course of studies in monkeys, while in the course of clinical studies, the person did not receive data on this effect, which made it possible to consider it species-specific.
Anesthesia during surgical interventions
Ophthalmic drugs from the group of beta-blockers can suppress beta-agonistic effects, for example, adrenaline. Inform an anesthetist if the patient receives timolol.
Contact lenses
Patients should be instructed to remove contact lenses before using DuoTrav® and wait at least 15 minutes before re-use.