[Cadiovascular effects of local timolol therapy (author's transl)]

In a double-blind study, a significant blockade of the beta-adrenergic system was verified on 20 healthy volunteers after instillation of 4 drops of Timolol maleate 0.5% daily. The systemic blocking effect is obvious after stimulation of the sympathetic system by physical activity. Under these conditions the blood pressure and the heart rate of volunteers treated with Timolol rise less than those of volunteers given a placebo. A theoretical explanation is given and possible clinical implications are discussed.