title: Cardiovascular effects of ophthalmic 0.5% timolol aqueous solution and 0.1% timolol hydrogel.
abstract: The objective of this randomized, double-masked, cross-over study was to compare the cardiovascular effects of two glaucoma formulations, ophthalmic 0.5% timolol aqueous solution and 0.1% timolol hydrogel. Twenty-four young healthy subjects received for 2 weeks either twice daily 0.5% timolol solution or once daily 0.1% timolol hydrogel. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure, atrio-ventricular conduction (PR interval), corrected QT time (QTc) and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured in supine position and during head-up tilted position. The mean peak concentrations of timolol in plasma were significantly higher after administration of 0.5% aqueous solution than after 0.1% hydrogel. A 0.5% timolol aqueous solution decreased HR on average by 3 bpm in supine position and by 7 bpm in head-up tilted position while no significant effects were observed with 0.1% timolol hydrogel. During tilt test HR was significantly lower after administration of timolol aqueous solution than after timolol hydrogel (mean +/- SD, 77 +/- 11 bpm versus 86 +/- 13 bpm, P < 0.05). Timolol aqueous solution slightly decreased QTc during tilt (5.9 +/- 5.6 ms, P < 0.01). During tilt tests, timolol aqueous solution slightly increased atrio-ventricular conduction (7.2 ms, P = 0.02). No significant differences were found in HRV. These results indicate that in healthy volunteers, ophthalmic 0.5% timolol aqueous solution produces more pronounced cardiac beta-blocking effects than 0.1% timolol hydrogel.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Physiology, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Niño
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tahvanainen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Uusitalo
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Turjanmaa
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hutri-Kähönen
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kaila
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ropo
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kuusela
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kähönen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D013999:Timolol / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D020100:Hydrogels; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D013999:Timolol