Unitimolol 0.5% eye drops – timolol for raised eye pressure and glaucoma

Unitimolol 0.5% contains the active substance timolol (as timolol maleate), which belongs to a group of medicines called beta-blockers. These medicines lower the pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure).

Unitimolol 0.5% is used locally to lower raised pressure in the eye(s): in raised eye pressure (ocular hypertension), chronic open-angle glaucoma – including patients without the natural lens of the eye (aphakia) – and in individual cases of secondary glaucoma. One millilitre of solution contains 5 mg of timolol. Although it is instilled into the eye, timolol is partly absorbed into the blood and can therefore affect the heart and breathing.

What are Unitimolol 0.5% eye drops used for and how should they be instilled correctly?

Key facts about the medicine

What is Unitimolol 0.5% used for?

According to the package leaflet, Unitimolol 0.5% is used locally to lower raised pressure in the eye in various conditions, including:

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

How is it instilled and dosed?

The usual dose is one drop in the affected eye twice a day, 12 hours apart (one drop in the morning and one in the evening). Your doctor determines the dose and duration of treatment; do not change the dose without consulting your doctor.

• Wash your hands; if you wear soft contact lenses, remove them and reinsert them only after at least 15 minutes.
• Tilt your head back, pull down the lower eyelid and instil one drop, making sure the tip of the bottle does not touch the eye, eyelid or lashes (a contaminated bottle can cause a serious eye infection).
• After instilling, keep the eye closed and press the inner corner of the eye by the nose for 3–5 minutes (at least 2 minutes) – this way less medicine passes into the bloodstream.
• After use, put the bottle back in the box.

Special patient groups

• Elderly patients: no dose adjustment is needed.
• Children: use requires prior detailed examinations and special caution, especially in newborns, infants and young children. In children the lowest possible concentration once a day is recommended (a 0.1% concentration is often sufficient, which requires another medicine of appropriate strength). Use must be stopped immediately if cough, wheezing, difficulty breathing or pauses in breathing occur.
• Kidney or liver impairment: the leaflet does not specify any dose adjustment.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

Do not use Unitimolol 0.5%:

• 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 bronchitis;
• if you have a slow heart rate, heart failure, heart rhythm disorders or low blood pressure caused by heart failure (cardiogenic shock).

According to the leaflet, the medicine must also not be used in severe peripheral circulation disorders (Raynaud’s disease).

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor before use if you have:

• coronary heart disease, low blood pressure or first-degree AV block;
• mild or moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
• diabetes – timolol can mask the signs of low blood sugar;
• an overactive thyroid – timolol can mask its signs;
• corneal disease, a tendency to allergies or myasthenia gravis (symptoms may worsen);
• if you already take beta-blockers (tablets or eye drops).

The medicine contains 0.10 mg/mL benzalkonium chloride, which can irritate the eye and discolour soft lenses, and phosphates – in severe corneal damage, cloudy patches due to calcium deposits can very rarely occur. If an eye infection or injury, eye surgery, irritation or new symptoms occur, tell your doctor.

Interactions with other medicines, food and drink

Tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking. Unitimolol 0.5% may interact in particular with:

• calcium channel blockers (nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem), amiodarone, digoxin and quinidine;
• other beta-blockers (tablets or eye drops) and clonidine;
• reserpine, guanethidine and sympathomimetics (e.g. adrenaline);
• the antidepressants paroxetine and fluoxetine;
• cimetidine, hydralazine, phenothiazines and alcohol – they may increase the level of timolol in the blood;
• anaesthetics – possible drop in blood pressure and weakening of heart function.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

• Pregnancy: there are no adequate data; the medicine should not be used during pregnancy unless the doctor considers it necessary.
• Breast-feeding: the medicine should not be used during breast-feeding, as timolol passes into breast milk.

Driving and using machines

Possible side effects – dizziness, tiredness, blurred vision, drooping eyelid or double vision – may affect your ability to drive and use machines. Do not drive until your vision is clear.

Possible side effects

Like other eye medicines, timolol is absorbed into the blood, so side effects similar to those of beta-blocker tablets may occur, but less often. The leaflet lists (without frequencies):

• Eye: burning, stinging, dry eye, irritation and redness of the eye or eyelids, sensitivity to light, discharge, double vision, reduced corneal sensitivity, eye pain, drooping eyelid; ringing in the ears.
• Heart and blood vessels: chest pain, slow or irregular heartbeat, palpitations, low blood pressure, fainting, swelling, cold hands and feet; rarely heart attack or stroke.
• Breathing: wheezing, difficulty breathing, cough, blocked nose.
• Other: nausea, diarrhoea, indigestion, dry mouth; headache, tiredness, muscle weakness, depression, insomnia, nightmares; hair loss, psoriasis-like rash; reduced libido; low blood sugar; serious allergic reactions.

If milder side effects occur, treatment can usually be continued – do not stop the medicine without consulting your doctor.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Overdose or swallowing the drops: headache, dizziness or light-headedness, difficulty breathing and slow heart rate may occur – contact a doctor immediately.
• Missed dose: instil it as soon as possible; if it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not instil a double dose.
• Stopping treatment: if you plan to stop using the medicine, tell your doctor.

Related information

For additional eye care, see also the category Eye drops – products in this category do not replace the medicine prescribed for you.

Composition, pack and manufacturer

• Active substance: timolol – 5 mg in 1 mL of solution (as timolol maleate).
• Excipients: hypromellose; benzalkonium chloride; disodium hydrogen phosphate dodecahydrate; sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate; water for injections.
• Appearance and pack: clear, slightly viscous, colourless or pale yellowish solution; LDPE dropper bottle with tamper-evident cap, 10 mL.
• Marketing authorisation holder: Representative office of Unimed Pharma s.r.o. Belgrade (Novi Beograd), Jurija Gagarina 231. Manufacturer: Unimed Pharma spol. s r.o., Orieškova 11, Bratislava, Slovakia.

Storage

• Keep in the original package to protect from light; do not refrigerate or freeze.
• After first opening, use within 28 days; close the bottle after each use.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children; do not use after the expiry date.

Frequently asked questions

How many times a day is Unitimolol 0.5% used?

The usual dose is one drop in the affected eye twice a day, 12 hours apart – morning and evening. Do not change the dose without agreement with your doctor.

Can I use Unitimolol if I have asthma?

No. The medicine must not be used if you have or have had asthma or severe chronic obstructive bronchitis, because timolol can narrow the airways.

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

Pressing on the tear sac for 3–5 minutes (at least 2 minutes) reduces the passage of the medicine into the bloodstream and thus the risk of side effects on the heart and breathing.

How long can I use an opened bottle?

According to the leaflet, the medicine can be used for 28 days after first opening. Close the bottle after each use and put it back in the box to protect it from light.

Sources

• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics, Unitimolol® 0.5% 5 mg/mL eye drops, solution (SmPC, Serbian)
• ALIMS – Package leaflet, Unitimolol® 0.5% 5 mg/mL eye drops, solution (PIL, Serbian)

Sources checked on: 25 October 2026.