Prostaglandin + β-blocker (preservative-free) Pregnancy: Should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary (where no other treatment options are available); women of childbearing potential have to use effective contraception during treatment. Tafluprost can have harmful pharmacologic effects on pregnancy and/or the foetus/newborn (reproductive toxicity in animals). Oral beta-blockers carry a risk of intra-uterine growth retardation, and beta-blockade signs (bradycardia, hypotension, respiratory distress, hypoglycaemia) have been observed in neonates when given until delivery — if used until delivery, monitor the neonate carefully during the first days of life. Lactation is not recommended as a precautionary measure.

Tafluprost with timolol

Brand names: Taptiqom

Tafluprost with timolol is a fixed-combination eye drop for open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension, pairing a prostaglandin analogue with a beta-blocker to lower intraocular pressure in patients inadequately controlled on one agent.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: One eye drop in the conjunctival sac of the affected eye(s) once daily

Route: Ocular use (topical, into the conjunctival sac)

Frequency: Once daily

Max: The dose should not exceed one drop in the affected eye(s) daily

SPC fetched is Taptiqom 15 micrograms/ml + 5 mg/ml eye drops, solution in single-dose container (tafluprost 15 micrograms/ml with timolol 5 mg/ml) — the full fixed combination, matching this page. Preservative-free sterile solution in a single-dose container; for single use only, one container is sufficient to treat both eyes, and any unused solution should be discarded immediately after use. If one dose is missed, treatment should continue with the next dose as planned. Paediatric population: safety and efficacy in children and adolescents below 18 years have not been established, no data are available, and Taptiqom is NOT recommended for use below 18 years (no per-kg dose stated). Elderly: no dosage alteration necessary. Renal/hepatic impairment: tafluprost and timolol eye drops have not been studied in these patients and Taptiqom should be used with caution. Administration: wipe off any excess solution from the skin to reduce the risk of darkening of the eyelid skin; using nasolacrimal occlusion or closing the eyelids for 2 minutes reduces systemic absorption, which may decrease systemic side effects and increase local activity; if more than one topical ophthalmic medicinal product is being used, each one should be administered at least 5 minutes apart; contact lenses should be removed before instillation and may be reinserted after 15 minutes; avoid contact of the container with the eye or surrounding structures. In angle-closure glaucoma, timolol has little or no effect on the pupil and must be used with a miotic, not alone.

Dose adjustments

Renal

Tafluprost and timolol eye drops have not been studied in patients with renal impairment — should be used with caution in such patients.

Dose auto-extracted from UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) via the eMC; US FDA prescribing information (openFDA / DailyMed) — cross-check; US labelling may differ from UK — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any of the excipients
Reactive airway disease including bronchial asthma, or a history of bronchial asthma; severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Sinus bradycardia, sick sinus syndrome including sino-atrial block, second or third degree atrioventricular block not controlled with pace-maker
Overt cardiac failure; cardiogenic shock

Side effects

Conjunctival/ocular hyperaemia — the most frequently reported treatment-related event, in approximately 7% of patients in European clinical studies (common)
Change of eyelashes (increased length, thickness and number of lashes) and eyelash discolouration (common)
Eye pruritus, eye pain, eye irritation, foreign body sensation in eyes, blurred vision, photophobia (common)
Uncommon: abnormal sensation in eye, dry eye, ocular discomfort, conjunctivitis, erythema of eyelid, eye allergy, eyelid oedema, superficial punctate keratitis, increased lacrimation, anterior chamber inflammation, asthenopia, blepharitis
Headache (uncommon)
Systemic beta-blocker class effects may occur because tafluprost and timolol are absorbed systemically (cardiovascular and pulmonary reactions, including bronchospasm in asthma)

Interactions

Systemic beta-blocking agents: the effect on intra-ocular pressure or the known effects of systemic beta-blockade may be potentiated when timolol is given to patients already receiving a systemic beta-blocker — response should be closely observed (SPC §4.4)
The use of two topical beta-adrenergic blocking agents is not recommended (SPC §4.4)
Beta-blockers may mask the signs and symptoms of acute hypoglycaemia and the signs of hyperthyroidism — caution in labile diabetes or spontaneous hypoglycaemia (SPC §4.4)
NOTE: the eMC §4.5 interaction section was not present in the fetched extract — clinician to review the full SPC §4.5

Clinical monograph

How it works

Tafluprost is a prostaglandin F2-alpha analogue that increases uveoscleral aqueous outflow, while timolol is a non-selective beta-blocker that reduces aqueous humour production by the ciliary body; the two mechanisms are complementary.

Prescribing in practice

The timolol component is systemically absorbed and can cause bronchospasm and bradycardia, so it is contraindicated in asthma, severe COPD and significant bradycardia, heart block or uncontrolled heart failure.
The prostaglandin component can cause permanent iris and periocular skin darkening and increased eyelash growth, which can be cosmetically asymmetric if only one eye is treated.
Apply once daily and use punctal occlusion or eyelid closure after instillation to reduce systemic beta-blocker absorption.

Monitoring

Monitor intraocular pressure to confirm response and review heart rate and respiratory symptoms given systemic beta-blockade.

Counselling the patient

Press on the inner corner of the eye for a short time after the drop to reduce absorption into the body.
Be aware the drop may darken the coloured part of the eye and surrounding skin and lengthen the lashes, sometimes unevenly.
Report any wheeze, breathlessness or slow heartbeat, and do not stop suddenly without advice.

Evidence & guidelines

Fixed prostaglandin-beta-blocker combinations are an established step in glaucoma therapy for patients not controlled on monotherapy, with systemic beta-blocker cautions detailed in the SPC.

Reference: NICE NG81; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Pathways