Dr. Gbemudu received her B.S. in Biochemistry from Nova Southeastern University, her PharmD degree from University of Maryland, and MBA degree from University of Baltimore. She completed a one year post-doctoral fellowship with Rutgers University and Bristol Myers Squibb.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
BRAND NAME: Blocadren, Timolide 10-25 (These brands are no longer available
in the U.S.)
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Timolol is a beta-adrenergic blocking drug that is
used to treat high blood pressure, angina (heart pain),
heart attacks and to
prevent migraine headaches. Timolol is a first generation beta blocker in a
class that includes propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), nadolol (Corgard),
penbutolol sulfate (Levatol), sotalol hydrochloride (Betapace), and pindolol
(Visken). They differ from other beta blockers because they are non-selective in
nature, meaning that they block both beta-1 and beta-2 receptors on nerves and,
therefore, will affect not only the heart but also the kidneys, lungs,
gastrointestinal tract, liver, uterus, muscles surrounding blood vessels, and
skeletal muscle. As a result, they could cause such effects as reduced pumping
of blood by the heart and reduced kidney function among other actions. Timolol
specifically works by blocking the stimulating actions of the sympathetic
nervous system thereby allowing the heart to relax and beat more slowly. This
reduces the amount of blood that the heart must pump. Timolol was approved by
the FDA in November 1981.
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 5, 10, and 20 mg.
STORAGE: Timolol should be stored at room temperature, 15-30 C (59-86 F) and
kept in a tightly sealed container protected from light
PRESCRIBED FOR: Timolol is prescribed to lower blood pressure in patients
with high blood pressure (hypertension). It also is used to reduce angina (heart
pain), and to stabilize irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) and prevent migraine
headaches. Off label uses include the treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
and mitral valve prolapse.
DOSING: The range of dosing for adults is 10 to 60 mg mg per day.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: The concurrent use of timolol and clonidine (Catapres),
may cause rebound hypertension upon abrupt discontinuation of clonidine. It is
advisable, therefore, to stop the beta adrenergic blocking drug by several days
before gradually withdrawing clonidine. Fenoldopam (Corlopam), which is used for
the treatment of severe hypertension should not be taken together with timolol
as the combination may increase the risk of hypotension due to additive effects
of the two drugs in lowering blood pressure.
Close observation should be carried out when timolol is administered to
patients receiving catecholamine-depleting drugs such as
reserpine (Harmonyl)
because of possible additive effects and the production of
hypotension and/or a
markedly slow heartbeat, which may produce
dizziness, syncope, or
postural
hypotension (dizziness upon standing). Concurrent use of
NSAIDs with timolol may
cause the antihypertensive action of beta-blockers to be decreased. This occurs
because prostaglandins are important in controlling blood pressure.
PREGNANCY: There are no adequate studies in pregnant women. Timolol should be
used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential
risk.
NURSING MOTHERS: Timolol has been detected in
human milk and has a potential
for adverse events in infants.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a repeatedly
elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg -- a systolic pressure above
140 with a diastolic pressure above 90. There are two causes of high blood pressure, primary and secondary. Primary high blood pressure is much more common that secondary and its basic causes or underlying defects are not always known. It is known that a diet high in salt increases the risk for high blood pressure, as well as high cholesterol. Genetic factors are also a primary cause. Secondary high blood pressure is generally caused by another condition such as renal hypertension, tumors, and other conditions. Treatment for high blood pressure is generally lifestyle changes and if necessary, diet.
Migraine is usually periodic attacks of headaches on one or both sides of the head. These may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity of the eyes to light (photophobia), increased sensitivity to sound (phonophobia), dizziness, blurred vision, cognitive disturbances, and other symptoms. Treatments for migraine headache include therapies that may or may not involve medications.
Angina is chest pain that is due to an inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart muscle.
Angina can be caused by coronary artery disease or spasm of the coronary
arteries. EKG, exercise treadmill, stress echocardiography, stress thallium, and cardiac
catheterization are important tests used in the diagnosis of angina.
Heart attack happens when a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary
artery supplying blood to the heart muscle. A heart attack can cause chest pain, heart failure, and electrical
instability of the heart.
Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is also also known as "click murmur syndrome" and "Barlow's syndrome." Mitral valve prolapse is the most common heart valve abnormality. Signs and symptoms of mitral valve prolapse include: fatigue, palpitations, chest pain, anxiety, and migraine headaches. Echocardiography is the most useful test for mitral valve prolapse. Most patients do not need any treatment, however, patients with severe prolapse may need treatment.
Heart rhythm disorders vary from minor palpitations, premature atrial contractions (PACs), premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), sinus tachycardia, and sinus brachycardia, to abnormal heart rhythms such as tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular flutter, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), Wolf-White-Parkinson syndrome, brachycardia, or heart blocks. Treatment is dependant upon the type of heart rhythm disorder.
High blood pressure (hypertension) means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. Treatment for high blood pressure include lifestyle modifications (alcohol, smoking, coffee, salt, diet, exercise), drugs and medications such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, beta blockers, diuretics, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), alpha blockers, clonidine, minoxidil, and Exforge.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy is a condition where the heart's ability to pump blood is decreased because the heart's main pumping chamber is enlarged and weakened. Symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy include chest pain, heart failure, swelling of the lower extremities, fatigue, weight gain, fainting, palpitations, dizziness and blood clots.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) affects many people today. Many people with HCM have no symptoms or only minor symptoms, and live a normal life. Other people develop symptoms, which progress and worsen as heart function worsens.
The heart is a very important organ in the body. It is responsible for continuously pumping oxygen and nutrient-rich blood throughout your body to sustain life. It is a fist-sized muscle that beats (expands and contracts) 100,000 times per day, pumping a total of five or six quarts of blood each minute, or about 2,000 gallons per day.
Restrictive cardiomyopathy, the rarest form of cardiomyopathy, is a condition in which the walls of the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles) are abnormally rigid and lack the flexibility to expand as the ventricles fill with blood.
The pumping or systolic function of the ventricle may be normal but the diastolic function (the ability of the heart to fill with blood) is abnormal. Therefore, it is harder for the ventricles to fill with blood, and with time, the heart loses the ability to pump blood properly, leading to heart failure.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is associated with thickening of the heart muscle, most commonly at the septum between the ventricles, below the aortic valve. This leads to stiffening of the walls of the heart and abnormal aortic and mitral heart valve function, both of which may impede normal blood flow out of the heart.
What Are the Symptoms of HCM?
Many people with HCM have no symptoms or only minor symptoms, and live a normal life. Other people develop symptoms, which progress and worsen as heart function worsens.
Symptoms of HCM can occur at any age and may include:
Chest pain or pressure (occurs usually with exercise or physical activity, but can also occur with rest or after meals).
Shortness of breath (dyspnea), especially with exertion.
Heart RSS
Healthy Living Tips
