Ocumed

Okumed is an antiglaucoma drug, belongs to the category of β-blockers.

Indications Okumeda

Shown for:

• increased levels of intraocular pressure (so-called ophthalmic hypertension);
• open-angle glaucoma;
• secondary form of glaucoma;
• as an adjuvant drug to reduce intraocular pressure developing against the background of closed-angle glaucoma (in combination with miotic drugs);
• congenital form of glaucoma (if other medicinal methods were insufficient).

Release form

Available as a solution/eye drops in a 5 or 10 ml dropper bottle (0.25% solution). One pack contains 1 bottle. Also available in a 5 ml glass bottle (0.5% solution). A separate package contains 1 bottle complete with a dropper.

Pharmacodynamics

The active substance timolol is a non-selective β-adrenergic receptor blocker. It has no internal membrane-stabilizing or sympathomimetic effects.

After local use of drops, the solution reduces increased intraocular pressure (as well as that which is at a normal level) – this occurs due to a decrease in the amount of intraocular fluid produced.

The active ingredient does not affect visual accommodation or pupil size.

The medicine starts to act 20 minutes after the instillation procedure. The peak rate of intraocular pressure reduction is observed after 1-2 hours, and then lasts for about 24 hours.

Dosing and administration

For children over 10 years old, as well as adults, it is necessary to instill a solution (0.25%) in the amount of 1 drop in each eye twice a day. If this dose does not give a result, use a 0.5% solution, also in the amount of 1 drop twice a day.

After the intraocular pressure has stabilized, it is necessary to instill the drops into the eyes in a maintenance mode - 1 drop once a day (0.25% solution).

For children under 10 years old – 1 drop twice a day (0.25% solution).

The course of therapy with Okumed solution often lasts quite a long time. Changing the dose or taking a break from treatment is possible only with the prescription of the attending physician.

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Use Okumeda during pregnancy

There is not enough data on the use of the drug in pregnant women or during lactation, but it has been found that the substance timolol can penetrate the placenta and enter the mother's milk.

The use of drops during pregnancy is permitted in cases where the benefit of treatment for the woman outweighs the likelihood of negative symptoms in the fetus.

Breastfeeding should be discontinued during the period of using the medicine.

Contraindications

Among the contraindications:

• ulcerative colitis (non-specific type);
• high blood pressure;
• congestive heart failure;
• anguillosis, measles, chickenpox, hypothyroidism;
• acute form of psychosis;
• kidney or liver dysfunction (severe form);
• osteoporosis;
• HIV infection or AIDS;
• muscle weakness.

Side effects Okumeda

As a result of using drugs, various side effects may develop.

Local manifestations include: hyperemia or irritation of the skin on the eyelids, as well as the conjunctiva, and also eye itching or burning. Lacrimation may decrease or, on the contrary, increase, edema may develop in the area of the epithelial layer of the cornea, photosensitivity, corneal hypoesthesia, punctate epithelial erosions, as well as ptosis, diplopia, blepharitis with keratitis and conjunctivitis, and also dryness of the mucous membranes of the eye and short-term visual acuity disorder.

In case of antiglaucoma surgical procedures, choroidal detachment may develop during the postoperative period.

Common manifestations include:

• cardiovascular system: development of bradyarrhythmia or bradycardia, heart failure, collapse, AV block, and in addition, a decrease in blood pressure, temporary disorders of blood circulation in the brain and cardiac arrest;
• respiratory system organs: development of bronchospasm, dyspnea, and pulmonary insufficiency;
• CNS organs: the appearance of dizziness or headaches, hallucinations, tinnitus, the development of depression, muscle weakness, paresthesia, a feeling of drowsiness, as well as a decrease in the speed of psychomotor response;
• gastrointestinal tract: development of nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting;
• manifestations of allergies: the occurrence of eczema or urticaria;
• Others: the appearance of nosebleeds, runny nose, chest pain, development of alopecia, as well as a decrease in potency.

If negative reactions develop, it is recommended to stop using the drops and consult your doctor.

Overdose

As a result of an overdose, general resorptive reactions may develop, which are characteristic of β-blocker drugs: headaches, bradycardia, dizziness, arrhythmia, vomiting with nausea, bronchial spasms.

To eliminate the disturbances, it is necessary to immediately rinse the eyes (for this, use plain water or a sodium chloride solution (0.9%)), and also carry out symptomatic treatment.

Interactions with other drugs

In case of combined use with eye drops containing epinephrine, the development of mydriasis is possible.

The specific property of the solution (lowering the level of intraocular pressure) increases in the case of combination with drops containing pilocarpine with epinephrine. Therefore, it is impossible to use 2 β-blockers simultaneously.

The risk of slowing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure increases with the simultaneous use of the drug with slow Ca channel blockers, as well as with other β-blockers and reserpine.

Combining Okumed with oral hypoglycemic drugs or insulin can cause the development of hypoglycemia.

It is prohibited to combine the solution with antipsychotics (neuroleptics) and anxiolytics (tranquilizers).

During the period of using eye drops, it is prohibited to use methylcarbinol, because this combination can lead to a sharp decrease in blood pressure.

Timolol enhances the properties of peripheral muscle relaxants, which is why it is necessary to stop using Okumed at least 48 hours before the planned surgery using general anesthesia.

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Storage conditions

The solution should be kept in a place inaccessible to children, at a temperature of no more than 25°C. It is prohibited to freeze the medicine.

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Shelf life

Okumed is suitable for use for a period of 3 years from the date of manufacture of the drug, but after opening the bottle with the solution, the shelf life is no more than 45 days.