Timolol treatment for infantile hemangiomas (1430)

Key points below

Timolol treatment

What is Timolol?

Timolol is a beta-blocker medicine. It is an eye drop that was once used to treat glaucoma. Timolol has been found to help shrink skin hemangiomas in some children. Even though it is an eye drop it is most often put on the skin when treating hemangiomas.

Timolol is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but not for treating hemangiomas in children. At this time, there is no FDA approved medicine to treat infantile hemangiomas.

When is Timolol used to treat a hemangioma?

In the first couple of months of life some hemangiomas grow fast. If a child has more than one hemangioma each one will grow at a different rate. One may stay small while another may get much bigger.

Timolol is used to treat hemangiomas that are near the outer layers of the skin. This type is called a superficial hemangioma. It is bright red or purple. If it is on the face or if it will cause a scar, it may be best to treat a hemangioma before it causes permanent damage.

How do I use the Timolol?

Put the Timolol on the skin over the hemangioma. The doctor will tell you how much to use and how often to put it on.

What can be done to reduce the chance of side effects?

If you miss a dose of the medicine, give a dose as soon as you remember. If it is close to the next dose time, wait and give the drops then. Do not double the next dose or give more Timolol.
Keep a list of all of your child’s medicines and give it to your child’s doctors.
Timolol does not mix well with some other medicines. This includes over the counter, herbal and prescription drugs.

Sometimes it may not be safe to use this medicine. Talk to the doctor if your child has:

Had high or low blood sugar. • A heart condition or a slow heart rate.
Low blood pressure. • A rash or skin irritation where you put the medicine.

For other health and wellness information, check out this resource: https://kidshealth.org/ChildrensWi/en/parents

ALERT

Call your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic if you have any concerns or if:

Your child gets more of the Timolol than was prescribed. This is an overdose. Call the doctor or poison center right away.
Your child has a bad reaction while taking Timolol. This may include wheezing, fever, itching, bad cough, blue skin color, swelling of the face or any body part, seizures, or if your child is not acting like themself. Call the doctor or go to the ER right away.
The hemangioma does not get better or if it continues to grow or puff out.
Your child has special health care needs not covered by this information.