Glaumol 5 mg/mL eye drops – timolol for raised eye pressure and glaucoma

Glaumol eye drops contain timolol (as timolol maleate), a medicine from the beta-blocker group. One millilitre of solution contains 5 mg timolol (0.5%). The medicine lowers the pressure in the eye and is manufactured by Galenika AD Belgrade.

According to the patient leaflet, Glaumol is used locally to lower raised eye pressure – in ocular hypertension, chronic open-angle glaucoma (including eyes without a natural lens – aphakia) and in individual cases of secondary glaucoma.

What are Glaumol eye drops used for and how are they instilled correctly?

Key facts about the medicine

What is Glaumol used for?

Glaumol is used to treat glaucoma when the pressure in the eye is raised. According to the leaflet, it is applied locally to lower raised eye pressure in:

• patients with raised eye pressure (ocular hypertension);
• patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma, including patients without a natural lens in the eye (aphakia);
• individual cases of secondary glaucoma.

How is it used and dosed?

• Wash your hands before use; remove soft contact lenses before instilling and reinsert them no earlier than 15 minutes later.
• At first use: open the cap, remove the safety ring and close the cap fully again to pierce the dropper.
• Tilt your head back slightly, pull down the lower eyelid and put one drop into the inner corner of the eye; the dropper tip must not touch the eye, eyelid or lashes.
• After instilling, close the eyelid and gently press the inner corner of the eye with your index finger for about 2 minutes – this reduces the amount of medicine passing into the bloodstream.
• Keep the bottle upright and close it after use.

Special patient groups

• Children and young people: use requires special care, especially in newborns, infants and young children. Treatment should be stopped immediately and a doctor contacted if coughing, wheezing, difficult breathing or pauses in breathing (apnoea) occur. Newborns are closely observed for one to two hours after the first dose.
• Heart and lung disease: caution is needed in coronary heart disease, first-degree AV block, slow heart rate, mild or moderate COPD and peripheral circulation disorders (Raynaud’s).
• Diabetes and overactive thyroid: timolol may mask signs of low blood sugar and symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

Do not use Glaumol:

• if you are allergic to timolol, other beta-blockers or any of the excipients;
• if you have or have had asthma or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
• if you have slow heart rate (sinus bradycardia), sick sinus syndrome, sino-atrial block, second- or third-degree AV block not controlled by a pacemaker, overt heart failure or cardiogenic shock.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor before use if you:

• have coronary heart disease, a heart rhythm disorder or first-degree AV block;
• have mild or moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or a history of asthma;
• have a peripheral circulation disorder (Raynaud’s disease or syndrome);
• have diabetes or an overactive thyroid;
• have corneal disease or already take beta-blockers (tablets or eye drops);
• are prone to allergic reactions;
• are going to have an anaesthetic – tell the anaesthetist you use Glaumol.

If your eye becomes irritated or red, your eyelid swells or you suspect an allergic reaction, stop using it and see your doctor; also contact your doctor in case of eye infection, eye injury or eye surgery. The medicine contains benzalkonium chloride, which may irritate the eye (especially in dry eye or corneal disease) and discolour soft contact lenses.

Interactions with other medicines, food and drink

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, especially:

• calcium channel blockers (nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem) and heart rhythm medicines, including amiodarone and quinidine;
• digoxin, clonidine, guanethidine, reserpine and rauwolfia alkaloids;
• adrenaline and other sympathomimetic amines;
• antidepressants such as fluoxetine and paroxetine;
• other beta-blockers – tablets or eye drops (increased, additive effect);
• other glaucoma eye drops, medicines for blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

• Pregnancy: there are no adequate data on the use of timolol in pregnant women; Glaumol is not used in pregnancy unless the doctor considers it necessary.
• Breast-feeding: do not use Glaumol if you are breast-feeding – timolol may pass into breast milk.

Driving and using machines

Possible side effects such as dizziness and visual disturbances may affect the ability to drive or use machines. Do not drive or use machines until your vision is clear.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, Glaumol can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The leaflet also lists reactions seen with all beta-blocker eye drops:

• Eye: burning, stinging, dry eye, irritation and redness of the eye or eyelids, sensitivity to light, double vision, reduced corneal sensitivity, eye pain, drooping eyelid, blurred vision, inflammation of the eyelids or cornea;
• Heart and blood vessels: slow or irregular heartbeat, palpitations, low blood pressure, fainting, cold hands and feet, oedema; rarely heart attack or stroke, heart failure, AV block;
• Breathing: wheezing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, cough;
• Other: headache, tiredness, depression, insomnia, nightmares, nausea, diarrhoea, dry mouth, hair loss, psoriasis-like rash, reduced libido, worsening of myasthenia gravis, low blood sugar;
• Allergic reactions: rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face and limbs, rarely severe life-threatening reactions.

Corneal calcification has been reported very rarely in patients with significantly damaged corneas using phosphate-containing eye drops. Side effects after use in the eye are less frequent than with beta-blockers taken by mouth or by injection.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Overdose: if you have used too much or swallowed a drop, headache, dizziness or light-headedness, difficulty breathing and slow heartbeat may occur – contact a doctor immediately.
• Missed dose: instil it as soon as possible; if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one and continue as scheduled. Do not use a double dose.
• Stopping treatment: the doctor decides when to stop.

Related information

For care of dry and irritated eyes, see also the category Eye drops – products in this category do not replace the medicine prescribed to you.

Composition, pack and manufacturer

• Active substance: 1 mL of solution contains 5 mg timolol as timolol maleate.
• Excipients: sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate; disodium phosphate dodecahydrate; benzalkonium chloride; water for injections.
• Pack: plastic (LDPE) dropper bottle with tamper-evident cap (PP), 5 mL, in a carton with leaflet.
• Marketing authorisation holder and manufacturer: Galenika AD Belgrade, Batajnički drum b.b., Belgrade, Republic of Serbia.
• Marketing authorisation: 515-01-01674-21-001 of 8 April 2022.

Storage

• Store below 25 °C in the original package to protect from light.
• Shelf life after first opening of the bottle: 30 days.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use after the expiry date; return unused medicine to a pharmacy that collects unused medicines.

Frequently asked questions

How many times a day is Glaumol used?

Usually 1 drop into the affected eye twice a day – morning and evening, 12 hours apart. Do not change the dose without consulting your doctor.

Can people with asthma use Glaumol?

No. Asthma and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (current or past) are contraindications, because timolol passes into the blood and may narrow the airways.

How long can an opened bottle of Glaumol be used?

For no more than 30 days after first opening, stored below 25 °C in the original package.

Why should I press the inner corner of the eye after instilling?

Pressing the inner corner of the eye for about 2 minutes prevents the medicine from reaching the circulation, reducing the risk of side effects on the heart and breathing.

Sources

• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics, Glaumol® 5 mg/mL eye drops, solution (SmPC, Serbian)
• ALIMS – Patient leaflet, Glaumol® 5 mg/mL eye drops, solution (PIL, Serbian)

Sources checked on: 25 October 2026.