title: [Severe bronchial spasm crises induced by topical administration of eyedrops with timolol base, a non-selective beta blocking agent].
abstract: Since their introduction in clinical practice beta-blocker drugs are known to be able to induce bronchospasm. However, this adverse effect may develop only in subjects with asthma, chronic bronchitis and/or airways hyper-reactivity. Although this potentially adverse effect of beta-blockers on the airways has long been recognized, its mechanism in inducing bronchospasm remains unclear. The Authors report a case of severe bronchoconstrictive episodes with respiratory failure following the administration of a timolol ophthalmic solution in a 51 yr old woman. Pharmacokinetics, preventive and therapeutic aspects of timolol eyedrop-induced bronchospasm are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Divisione di Pneumologia, Ospedale Maggiore, Crema.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Confalonieri
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aiolfi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Patrini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scartabellati
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ghio
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mauri
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Della Porta
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gandola
mesh_terms: D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced; D013999:Timolol / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D013999:Timolol
vernacular_title: Gravi crisi broncospastiche indotte da applicazione topica di gocce oculari a base di timololo, un beta bloccante non selettivo.