[Severe bronchial spasm crises induced by topical administration of eyedrops with timolol base, a non-selective beta blocking agent].
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.
Confalonieri
M
M
Divisione di Pneumologia, Ospedale Maggiore, Crema.
Aiolfi
S
S
Patrini
G
G
Scartabellati
A
A
Ghio
L
L
Mauri
F
F
Della Porta
R
R
Gandola
L
L
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*
D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D013999:Timolol
Gravi crisi broncospastiche indotte da applicazione topica di gocce oculari a base di timololo, un beta bloccante non selettivo.