Timolol maleate, a new beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent.

Some pharmacodynamic properties of an oxypropanolamine substituted novel heterocyclic compound are described. Initial studies involve comparison of the racemic mixture, dl-timolol maleate, with the beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent propranolol in the rat, dog and cat. dl-Timolol maleate is shown to be a potent inhibitor of cardiovascular beta-adrenergic receptors activated by isoproterenol or adrenergic nerve stimulation. Blockade of alpha-adrenergic receptors is not observed even after extremely high doses. The compound is approximately 3 times more potent than propranolol in suppressing isoproterenol-induced cardioacceleration by the i.v. route of administration. dl-Timolol maleate is also extremely well absorbed when given orally, being then about 10 times more active than propranolol. Unlike propranolol, neither dl-timolol maleate nor its optical isomers possess demonstrable local anesthetic activity. Similar to propranolol and other beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agents, activity of the compound resides predominantly in the l-isomer (timolol maleate.