Side Effects:

Common Stinging in the eyes, Blurred vision, Burning eyes.

Common Nausea, Headache, Diarrhoea, Fatigue.

Expert advice for Timolol
Timolol helps lower high pressure in the eye and reduces the risk of vision loss. Apply pressure on the corner of the eye (close to the nose) for about 1 minute, immediately after instilling the drop. Wait for at least 5-10 minutes before delivering the next medication in the same eye to avoid dilution. Notify your doctor if you have lung or heart diseases as Timolol may worsen these conditions. Stinging sensation may occur for 1-2 mins. Notify your doctor if it persists for longer. Make sure to use within 4 weeks of opening the bottle.

Expert advice for Xefexor Tablet
It can take 2-3 weeks for Xefexor to start working. Do not stop treatment suddenly as this may cause a stomach upset, flu-like withdrawal symptoms and sleep disturbance. If your doctor asks you to stop Xefexor, you should reduce the dose slowly over 4 weeks. Avoid consuming alcohol when taking the Xefexor, as it may cause excessive drowsiness and calmness. The addiction/dependence potential of Xefexor is very less. You may develop anxiety during initiation of therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is Timolol a beta blocker/selective beta blocker/steroid/generic/antibiotic?
Timolol is a beta blocker. It is not a selective beta blocker/steroid/generic/antibiotic

Q. Is Timolol preservative free?
The Timolol eye drop is preservative fre

Q. Is Timolol the same as timoptic or cosopt?
Timoptic and copsopt are brand names of the eye drops containing Timolol

Q. Does it need to be refrigerated?
The timolol containing eye drops should not be refrigerated

Q. Does Timolol lower blood pressure?
Timolol is used to lower blood pressure

Q. Does it stop growth of hemangiomas?
It may be used to stop growth of hemangiomas (only after prescription from the doctor)

Q. Does Timolol cause weight gain/hair loss/ miosis/make eyelashes grow/ cause dry eyes/slow heart rate?
Timolol does not make eyelashes grow. It is a blood pressure lowering medication. It is not known to cause weight gain/hair loss/miosis. It may cause dry eyes/slow heart rate as a side effect. If any side effects of the drug are observed then one should inform the doctor immediately.

Q. How does Xefexor work?
Xefexor works by increasing the levels of serotonin, a chemical messenger in the brain. This improves mood and physical symptoms in depression and relieves symptoms of panic and obsessive disorders.

Q. Can I take Xefexor with coffee?
There is usually no significant effect of taking coffee with Xefexor but a very high quantity of consumption of coffee may cause restlessness and anxiety.

Q. Is Xefexor addictive?
No. Xefexor is not addictive. Its abrupt discontinuation may cause some withdrawal symptoms. But still is not addictive as there is no drug-seeking behaviour and it has no abuse liability.

Q. Why does Xefexor cause nausea?
Xefexor increases the activity of serotonin a chemical which is also involved in the vomiting process so makes the person nauseating.

Q. Why does Xefexor make me tired?
Tiredness is usually associated with depression. Xefexor can alter the sleep quality and can make the person feel tired most of the time.

Q. Can I use Xefexor for a migraine?
Xefexor is not approved for the treatment of a migraine. It is used in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorder, phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Q. Can I use Xefexor for bipolar disorder?
Xefexor should not be used for the treatment of bipolar disorder as it can aggravate the problem. Only in few cases, it can be used that too with caution with other drugs if depression is the more persistent feature of person's bipolar illness. But the person should be very regular with drugs prescribed for the mania part also called mood stabilisers.

Q. Does Xefexor cause hair loss?
There are some case reports of hair loss with the use of Xefexor. It is very infrequent and it usually stops after the discontinuation of the drug. It can be very distressing for a person, especially for the females. So a person should tell his doctor if he is having hair loss with the use of Xefexor.

Q. Can I use Xefexor for sleep problem?
Xefexor may itself cause sleep disorders. So it is not recommended for the sleep problem.

Q. Can I use Xefexor for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?
Xefexor can be used for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) but there are better alternatives available, in case they don't work then Xefexor can be used. Although it is prescribed in a higher dose and for longer duration in case of OCD in comparison to depression.

Q. Which is better medication, Xefexor or sertraline?
Xefexor is the safest drug in its class. Sertraline can be used in case Xefexor doesn't work for depression. However, setraline can be preferred in case of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Q. Which is better medication, Xefexor or citalopram?
Xefexor is more effective than citalopram for major depression. Although some studies have shown that there is no difference among two in case of effectiveness but some recent studies have shown Xefexor to be superior to citalopram for major depression.

Q. Can I take Xefexor with diphenhydramine?
It is better to avoid diphenhydramine with Xefexor. Diphenhydramine can aggravate side effects of Xefexor and can cause dizziness, confusion and difficulty in concentrating.

Q. Can I take Xefexor with aspirin?
It is usually avoided as it can increase the chances of bleeding.

Q. Can I take Xefexor with Ibuprofen?
No. Combined these two drugs may increase the chances of bleeding especially in persons already on a blood thinner. Nasal bleeding is usually the first symptom.

Q. Can I take Xefexor with methylphenidate?
It is better to avoid methylphenidate with Xefexor. Because methylphenidate can increase the blood levels of Xefexor and its effects and rarely can cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome with symptoms like anxiety, restlessness, extreme changes in heart rate and blood pressure, blurred vision, incoordination, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea.

Q. Can Xefexor be given with lisdexamfetamine?
It is better to avoid this combined therapy of lisdexamfetamine with Xefexor, it leads to increased anxiety, restlessness and sometimes serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome includes vomiting, diarrhoea, extreme changes in blood pressure and even seizure may occur. It can be life-threatening.

Q. Can I take Xefexor with alprazolam?
It is better to avoid the combination, it can lead to increased dizziness, confusion and difficulty in concentrating. Please consult your doctor before taking these two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Xefexor with clonazepam?
It is better to avoid the combination, it can lead to increased dizziness, confusion and difficulty in concentrating. Please consult your doctor before taking these two medicines together.

Q. Can Xefexor be used with hydrocodone?
It is better to avoid the combination, it can lead to increased dizziness, confusion and difficulty in concentrating. Please consult your doctor before taking these two medicines together.

Q. Can I take Xefexor with dextromethorphan?
You should not take Dextromethorphan with Xefexor. It can lead to the seotonin syndrome. Before taking any medications with Xefexor, your should consult with your doctor.

Q. Can I take Xefexor and paracetamol?
Yes. There is no known interaction between Xefexor and paracetamol.

Q. How does Xefexor differ from fluoxetine?
Xefexor and fluoxetin belongs to same class of medicine called as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).

Q. How doses Xefexor differ from amitriptyline?
Xefexor is a newer drug belongs to class selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) while amitryptiline is an older drug belonging to class tricyclic antidepressants (TCA). Both drugs are almost equally effective for treating depression but Xefexor has much lesser side effects in comparison to amitryptiline and so preferred over amitryptiline for the treatment of depression.

Q. How does Xefexor differ from imipramine?
Xefexor is much safer than imipramine and is preferred in most of the conditions over imipramine. However, imipramine can be preferred in bed-wetting in children.

Q. What would happen if I stop taking Xefexor?
You may experience withdrawal symptoms which can be in the form flu like symptoms, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, nausea or sleep problems. These symptoms usually last for one to two weeks. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor.

Q. When and How to stop Xefexor?
You should consult your doctor before stopping the treatment. It would depend on the number and severity of depressive episodes.The dose should be tapered slowly to prevent intense withdrawal symptoms.

Q. Is Xefexor a benzodiazepine?
No. Xefexor is not a benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines decrease the anxiety and induce sleep. Xefexor belongs to the class of selective sertonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It may cause insomnia and restlessness initially as the side effect which usually goes away with time.

Q. Is Xefexor a narcotic?
No. Xefexor is not a narcotic drug. Narcotics are drugs with sleep inducing properties, usual derivatives of Opium like Heroin and Morphine.