title: [Systemic complications of beta-blocking eyedrops. Apropos of 6 cases].
abstract: Six cases of systemic reactions to topical treatment with beta-blocking eyedrops are reported, bradycardia and faintness due to an overdosage of ophthalmic timolol; decompensated heart failure one month after the prescription of carteolol eyedrops: bronchospasm after two weeks of treatment with metipranolol eyedrops; crippling Raynaud's phenomenon of otherwise unknown origin, which had begun with timolol eyedrops, continued with carteolol eyedrops and regressed after discontinuation of ophthalmic beta-blockers; aggravation of an anaphylactoid shock in a patient treated with ophthalmic timolol, and myocardial infarction possibly due to the abrupt withdrawal of timolol eyedrops. It cannot be overstressed that the rules governing the prescription of oral beta-blockers also apply to ophthalmic preparations of these drugs: respect of contra-indications, strict adherence to the dosage recommended, gradual drug withdrawal and regular supervision. Only controlled studies and long-term follow-up will be able to demonstrate differences in safety between the five beta-blockers commercialized as eyedrops in this country.
authors.affiliation: Service de médecine interne I, hématologie, hôpital de Cimiez, Nice.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vinti
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Chichmanian
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Fournier
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pesce
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Taillan
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Fuzibet
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Cassuto
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dujardin
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000139:chemically induced; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions
vernacular_title: Accidents systémiques des bêta-bloquants en collyres. A propos de six observations.