Timolol eye drops are one of the most widely used treatments for glaucoma — a condition where the pressure inside the eye is too high and slowly damages the optic nerve, threatening sight. Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness in Nigeria, and because it is usually painless and creeps up silently, many people only discover it once vision is already lost. Timolol, sold as brands like Timoptol, Nyolol, and Glucomol, is often the first eye drop prescribed to bring that pressure down.
In the NAFDAC register
42 registered products
from 28 registration holders
+4 more countries
What it costs online
about ₦3,850
≈₦770 per ml (drops)
0% since August 2026 · like-for-like
Sampled from 4 listings across HealthPlus and Supermart.ng · September 2026
Full price breakdown →Brands of Timolol (glaucoma eye drops) in Nigeria
Comes as
- Eye drops0.5%· 7 makers
Those 42 products from 28 registration holders include combination products and older listings; below are the most common brands.
| Brand Name | Manufacturer | Strength | Form | NAFDAC Reg. No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timoptol | Santen (MSD) | 0.25%, 0.5% | Eye drops | |
| Nyolol | Novartis | 0.25%, 0.5% | Eye drops | |
| Ivytimol | Dortemag Ventures Limited | 0.5% | Eye drops | 04-3367 |
| Optimol | Lin-Kabs Pharmaceutical Limited | 0.5% | Solution/Drops | 04-3536 |
Timolol (glaucoma eye drops) Price in Nigeria
As of September 2026, Timolol (glaucoma eye drops) drops sells for about ₦770 per ml online in Nigeria (packs ₦1,560–₦5,625) across HealthPlus and Supermart.ng. The online price is roughly unchanged since August 2026. Open-market prices (e.g. Idumota, Ogbogwu) are often lower.
Online retail (sampled)
₦1,560 for 10ml
₦5,000 for 5ml
Same 0.5% Timolol (glaucoma eye drops) — 6.4× the price, ml for ml.
median ₦3,850 · 4 listings
Better valueFidson Timolol 0.5% Eye Drops 10ml(HealthPlus)
₦1,560₦156 per mlCosts moreIvytimol 0.5% Eye Drops 5 ml(Supermart.ng)
₦5,000₦1,000 per ml4 listings across HealthPlus + Supermart.ng — brands and pack sizes vary · September 2026.
Unchanged since August 2026.
Timolol (glaucoma eye drops) price by brand
Each brand's own listings, as its page states them — the range above spans every brand and pack size.
- Ivytimol price₦5,000· 1 listing
How to Verify Your Timolol (glaucoma eye drops) is Genuine
- 1Check the NAFDAC registration number on the bottle — genuine glaucoma eye drops in Nigeria must carry a valid NAFDAC number
- 2Verify the NAFDAC number using the NAFDAC Green Book or the NAFDAC mobile app, especially for imported brands like Timoptol and Nyolol
- 3Buy from licensed pharmacies, and get glaucoma drops on the recommendation of an eye specialist who monitors your pressure
- 4Check the expiry date and that the seal is intact; note the opening date and follow the discard time on the label
- 5Genuine drops should be clear with no particles or discolouration; do not use a cloudy or dirty-looking solution
- 6Because glaucoma treatment is lifelong, use a consistent, verified source so you always get a genuine, correctly stored product
Where to Buy
Buying Timolol (glaucoma eye drops) by the carton
Cartons are bought at Nigeria's four open drug markets. Each guide names the sellers there you can contact, and how to buy safely:
No shop we list has Timolol (glaucoma eye drops) on its confirmed product list yet — the market guides still tell you where the trade happens and how to buy there safely.
Wherever you buy, buy only from licensed pharmacies and verified distributors — not roadside vendors — and verify the pack's NAFDAC registration before you pay. Buying Timolol (glaucoma eye drops) in bulk or for resale? See how to buy medicines in bulk in Nigeria safely.
Need Timolol (glaucoma eye drops) in bulk, or can't find it near you?
Tell us what you need and we'll connect you with a verified, NAFDAC-registered source.
What is Timolol (glaucoma eye drops)?
Timolol is a beta-blocker. In the eye it works by reducing the amount of fluid (aqueous humour) the eye produces, which lowers the pressure inside it. Keeping the eye pressure controlled is what protects the optic nerve from further damage. It does not cure glaucoma or restore sight already lost — its job is to prevent further loss — which is why it must be used every day, long-term, exactly as prescribed, even though the eye feels completely normal.
Timolol is usually put in once or twice a day. Although they are only drops, a small amount is absorbed into the body, so timolol can occasionally cause the same effects as a beta-blocker taken by mouth — this matters for people with asthma or certain heart conditions, who may not be able to use it. Because glaucoma is silent and treatment is lifelong, the biggest challenge is sticking with the drops faithfully. Anyone over 40, and especially those with a family history of glaucoma, should have their eye pressure checked. Genuine products carry a NAFDAC registration number.
What is Timolol (glaucoma eye drops) used for?
In Nigeria, Timolol (glaucoma eye drops) is commonly used for:
- Lowering raised intraocular (inside-the-eye) pressure in glaucoma
- Long-term control of primary open-angle glaucoma to preserve remaining sight
- Treating ocular hypertension — raised eye pressure before nerve damage occurs
- First-line or add-on therapy, often combined with other glaucoma drops
- Protecting the optic nerve by keeping eye pressure in a safe range
Dosage
IMPORTANT
Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions. The information below is for general reference only.
Adults
The usual dose is 1 drop of 0.25% or 0.5% timolol into the affected eye(s) once or twice a day, exactly as your eye doctor prescribes. A useful technique after instilling the drop is to gently close the eye and press on the inner corner (near the nose) for 1-2 minutes — this reduces how much drug drains into the body and lowers side effects. If you use more than one type of eye drop, leave about 5 minutes between them.
Children
Glaucoma in children is uncommon and specialised; timolol is used in children only under the care of an eye specialist, who will set the strength and dose carefully.
Elderly
Timolol is widely used in older adults, who make up most glaucoma patients, but they are also more likely to have heart or breathing conditions that timolol can affect — so the doctor will check for these before prescribing.
This is a lifelong, every-day medicine, and the eye will feel normal whether or not you use it — do not stop or skip doses because 'nothing is wrong', as unchecked pressure quietly destroys sight. Keep to your review appointments so pressure and the optic nerve can be monitored. Do not run out: plan refills ahead. Tell any doctor treating you that you use timolol, as it can add to the effects of beta-blocker tablets.
Side Effects
Common side effects
- •Brief stinging or burning when the drop goes in
- •Dry, gritty, or irritated eyes
- •Temporary blurred vision just after applying
- •Occasionally a slower heart rate or mild tiredness from the small amount absorbed
Serious side effects — seek medical help immediately
- Wheezing, breathlessness, or a worsening of asthma — stop and seek care urgently
- A very slow or irregular heartbeat, fainting, or marked tiredness
- New or worsening breathlessness on lying flat or swelling of the ankles (possible heart effects)
- Signs of an allergic reaction: rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing
When to see a doctor
Seek care urgently if you develop wheezing, shortness of breath, a very slow heartbeat, or fainting, as these can be beta-blocker effects from the absorbed drops. See your eye doctor if the eye becomes painful or red, if vision changes, or if you miss doses and pressure may have risen. Attend all scheduled eye-pressure and optic-nerve checks — because glaucoma is painless, monitoring is the only way to know the treatment is working.
Warnings & Precautions
Do not take Timolol (glaucoma eye drops) if you have:
- Do not use if you have asthma or a history of significant breathing problems (COPD) — timolol can trigger severe wheezing
- Do not use if you have a very slow heart rate, certain heart-rhythm problems, or uncontrolled heart failure
- Do not use if you are allergic to timolol or other beta-blockers
- Use with caution, and tell your doctor, if you have diabetes (it can mask low-blood-sugar warning signs) or an overactive thyroid
Drug interactions
- •Beta-blocker tablets (such as atenolol) and some heart-rhythm or blood-pressure medicines (like verapamil or diltiazem) can add to timolol's effects on heart rate — tell your doctor about all your medicines
- •Certain drugs used for high blood pressure or heart conditions may interact; your doctor will take this into account
- •If you use other eye drops, leave about 5 minutes between them so each is absorbed
- •Pressing on the inner corner of the eye after the drop reduces how much reaches the rest of the body
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Timolol should be used in pregnancy and breastfeeding only if your doctor judges it necessary, because the small amount absorbed can reach the baby; the tear-duct pressing technique helps limit this. Never stop glaucoma treatment on your own if you become pregnant — instead, tell your eye doctor promptly so the safest plan can be arranged, since uncontrolled eye pressure also carries risk.
Related Resources for Timolol (glaucoma eye drops)
Guides, articles, and tools related to Timolol (glaucoma eye drops) and other eye & ear drops medicines in Nigeria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
- •NAFDAC Greenbook — the official database of all products registered with Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. Brand-level NAFDAC numbers for Timolol (glaucoma eye drops) on this page were cross-referenced against the Greenbook.
- •WHO Model List of Essential Medicines — Timolol (glaucoma eye drops) is included in the WHO's list of essential medicines, meaning it is considered essential for basic healthcare needs.
- •British National Formulary (BNF) dosing and interaction guidance for Timolol (glaucoma eye drops).
- •Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines (Federal Ministry of Health).
Daily puzzle: Meddle — pair five brands with their medicines. New game at midnight.