title: [Systemic effects of beta blockaders used in collyria].
abstract: Eye-drops containing beta-blockers are widely used by ophthalmologists in the treatment of chronic glaucoma, since they reduce the intraocular pressure by about 25-30 per cent. This treatment is usually well tolerated but not devoid of systemic effects. The eye-drops are rapidly removed by the lacrymal system, and 80 per cent of the drug is absorbed by the nasal mucosa. It is then taken up by the blood stream in low but not negligible concentrations, and since the liver is by-passed the active substance acts directly on the target organs. Side-effects are similar to those observed after oral administration, despite much lower plasma levels; although rare in routine clinical practice, they may result in decompensation of a fragile cardiac or respiratory function. This does not mean that beta-blocker eye-drops should not be prescribed to patients with chronic glaucoma, but attention must be paid to the patient's cardio-respiratory status and to a possible concomitant treatment with drugs that depress myocardial conductivity or contractility.
authors.affiliation: Clinique cardiologique, Centre hospitalier général de Vendôme.
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Garnier
mesh_terms: D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000139:chemically induced; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013999:Timolol / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D013999:Timolol
vernacular_title: Effets systémiques des bêtabloquants en collyres.