An Introduction to Blocadren Side Effects
Just like any medicine,
Blocadren® (
timolol maleate) can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes the medication will experience problems. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Blocadren. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Blocadren side effects with you.)
Common Side Effects of Blocadren
Blocadren has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials. In these studies, the side effects that occurred in a group of people taking the drug were documented and then compared to the side effects that occurred in another group of people taking a placebo (a "sugar pill" that does not contain any active ingredients). As a result, it was possible to see what side effects occurred, how often they appeared, and how they compared to the group not taking the medicine.
In these studies, the most common problems that occurred more frequently with Blocadren than with the placebo included:
- A slow heart rate (bradycardia) -- in up to 9.1 percent of people
- Heart failure -- up to 8 percent
- Cold hands and feet -- up to 8 percent
- Nausea or other digestive problems -- up to 8 percent
- Dizziness -- up to 6 percent
- Weakness or fatigue -- up to 5 percent.
Other common side effects of Blocadren (occurring in 1 to 4 percent of people) included:
- An irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
- Itching
- Shortness of breath
- Eye irritation
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Fluid retention in the lungs
- Leg pain
- Asthma symptoms.
It should be noted that many of these common Blocadren side effects are also potentially serious (see the following section for more information).
