Drug interactions
Pilocarpine + Timolol
Severity: Minor
Pilocarpine and Timolol: minor 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
Pilocarpine is a muscarinic agonist that can slow heart rate and conduction when absorbed systemically. With timolol, additive bradycardia or conduction disturbance is possible, mainly with oral pilocarpine; ophthalmic combinations are commonly used without problems.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pilocarpine and Timolol have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Pilocarpine belongs to Miscellaneous; Timolol belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive negative chronotropic effects from muscarinic stimulation and beta-blockade.
What to do
Monitor heart rate in patients with conduction disease or those taking oral pilocarpine. No change is usually needed for ophthalmic use.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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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 Pilocarpine
- Amitriptyline + Pilocarpine Moderate
- Atenolol-chlorthalidone + Pilocarpine Moderate
- Atenolol + Pilocarpine Moderate
- Atropine + Pilocarpine Moderate
- Betaxolol + Pilocarpine Moderate
- Bethanechol + Pilocarpine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Pilocarpine with Timolol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Pilocarpine and Timolol have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Pilocarpine is a muscarinic agonist that can slow heart rate and conduction when absorbed systemically. With timolol, additive bradycardia or conduction disturbance is possible, mainly with oral pilocarpine; ophthalmic combinations are commonly used without problems.
How serious is the interaction between Pilocarpine and Timolol?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor heart rate in patients with conduction disease or those taking oral pilocarpine. No change is usually needed for ophthalmic use.
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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