Drug interactions
Paroxetine + Timolol
Severity: Moderate
Paroxetine and Timolol: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Paroxetine strongly inhibits CYP2D6, which is a main route of timolol metabolism. Timolol exposure can rise, including with eye drops, leading to bradycardia, hypotension or bronchospasm.
What this interaction means in plain words
Paroxetine and Timolol can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Paroxetine belongs to Central Nervous System; Timolol belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Paroxetine inhibits CYP2D6-mediated metabolism of timolol, increasing systemic timolol levels.
What to do
Monitor heart rate and blood pressure, and reduce timolol dose if bradycardia or hypotension develops. Consider an SSRI with weaker CYP2D6 inhibition.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Timolol
- Acebutolol + Timolol Major
- Albuterol + Timolol Major
- Aldesleukin + Timolol Major
- Amifostine + Timolol Major
- Amiodarone + Timolol Major
- Arformoterol + Timolol Major
Other interactions of Paroxetine
- Isocarboxazid + Paroxetine Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Paroxetine Contraindicated
- Paroxetine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Paroxetine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Paroxetine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Paroxetine + Selegiline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Paroxetine with Timolol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Paroxetine and Timolol can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Paroxetine strongly inhibits CYP2D6, which is a main route of timolol metabolism. Timolol exposure can rise, including with eye drops, leading to bradycardia, hypotension or bronchospasm.
How serious is the interaction between Paroxetine and Timolol?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor heart rate and blood pressure, and reduce timolol dose if bradycardia or hypotension develops. Consider an SSRI with weaker CYP2D6 inhibition.
What other medicines interact with Timolol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Timolol with, for example, Acebutolol, Albuterol, Aldesleukin. The full list is on the Timolol page.
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