betaxolol (Ophthalmic route)

be-TAX-oh-lol

Commonly used brand name(s):

In the U.S.

• Betoptic S

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution
• Suspension

Therapeutic Class: Antiglaucoma

Pharmacologic Class: Beta-Adrenergic Blocker, Cardioselective

Uses For betaxolol

Betaxolol is used alone or together with other medicines to treat increased pressure in the eye that is caused by open-angle glaucoma or a condition called ocular (eye) hypertension. betaxolol is a beta-blocker .

betaxolol is available only with your doctor's prescription .

Before Using betaxolol

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For betaxolol, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to betaxolol or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of betaxolol in children .

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of betaxolol in the elderly .

Pregnancy

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Using betaxolol with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Albuterol
• Amiodarone
• Arformoterol
• Bambuterol
• Bitolterol
• Broxaterol
• Clenbuterol
• Clonidine
• Colterol
• Diltiazem
• Disopyramide
• Dronedarone
• Fenoldopam
• Fenoterol
• Fentanyl
• Formoterol
• Hexoprenaline
• Isoetharine
• Levalbuterol
• Metaproterenol
• Pirbuterol
• Procaterol
• Reproterol
• Rimiterol
• Ritodrine
• Salmeterol
• Terbutaline
• Tretoquinol
• Tulobuterol
• Verapamil

Using betaxolol with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Acarbose
• Acetohexamide
• Alfuzosin
• Amlodipine
• Arbutamine
• Benfluorex
• Bunazosin
• Chlorpropamide
• Digoxin
• Doxazosin
• Felodipine
• Gliclazide
• Glimepiride
• Glipizide
• Gliquidone
• Glyburide
• Guar Gum
• Insulin
• Insulin Aspart, Recombinant
• Insulin Glulisine
• Insulin Lispro, Recombinant
• Lacidipine
• Lercanidipine
• Manidipine
• Metformin
• Mibefradil
• Miglitol
• Moxisylyte
• Nicardipine
• Nifedipine
• Nilvadipine
• Nimodipine
• Nisoldipine
• Nitrendipine
• Phenoxybenzamine
• Phentolamine
• Pranidipine
• Prazosin
• Repaglinide
• St John's Wort
• Tamsulosin
• Terazosin
• Tolazamide
• Tolbutamide
• Trimazosin
• Troglitazone
• Urapidil

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of betaxolol. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Blood vessel disease (especially blood vessels in the brain) or
• Stroke, history of—Use with caution. betaxolol may worsen these conditions .

• Bradycardia (slow heartbeat) or
• Heart block or
• Heart failure—Should not use in patients with these conditions .

• Diabetes or
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)—May cover up some of the signs and symptoms of these diseases, such as a fast heartbeat .

• Lung disease (e.g., asthma, bronchitis, emphysema)—Use with caution. May cause difficulty with breathing in patients with this condition .

• Myasthenia gravis—May worsen symptoms of this condition, such as muscle weakness .

Proper Use of betaxolol

Shake the medicine well just before each use .

To use the eye drops (solution):

• First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed and apply pressure to the inner corner of the eye with your finger for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to be absorbed by the eye.
• Immediately after using the medicine, wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed. Serious damage to the eye and possible loss of vision may result from using contaminated eye medicines .

If your doctor ordered two different eye medicines to be used together, wait at least 10 minutes before using the second medicine. This will help prevent the second medicine from “washing out” the first one .

Dosing

The dose of betaxolol will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of betaxolol. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For ophthalmic solution dosage form (eye drops):
  • For glaucoma or ocular hypertension:
    • Adults and children—One drop in the affected eye(s) two times a day .

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of betaxolol, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions While Using betaxolol

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure betaxolol is working properly and to check for unwanted effects .

If itching, redness, swelling, or other signs of eye or eyelid irritation occur, stop using betaxolol and check with your doctor. These signs may mean that you are allergic to betaxolol .

Betaxolol may cause heart failure in some patients. Check with your doctor right away if you are having chest pain or discomfort; dilated neck veins; extreme fatigue; irregular breathing; an irregular heartbeat; shortness of breath; swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs; weight gain; or wheezing .

betaxolol may cause changes in your blood sugar levels. Also, betaxolol may cover up signs of low blood sugar, such as a rapid pulse rate. Check with your doctor if you have these problems or if you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests .

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using betaxolol. You may need to stop using betaxolol several days before having surgery .

betaxolol Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Pain in the eye

• Blistering, peeling, or loosening of skin
• blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• blurred vision
• change in color vision
• chest pain or discomfort
• chills
• cough
• crusting of eyelashes
• decreased urine output
• decreased vision
• diarrhea
• different size pupils of the eyes
• difficulty in breathing, chewing, swallowing, or talking
• difficulty seeing at night
• dilated neck veins
• double vision
• drainage from eyes
• drooping eyelids
• extreme fatigue
• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• feeling of having something in the eye
• hives
• increased sensitivity of eyes to sunlight
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• irritation or inflammation of eye
• itching, dryness of eyes
• itching skin
• joint or muscle pain
• lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• muscle weakness
• noisy breathing
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, irritated eyes
• severe tiredness
• shortness of breath
• skin rash
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in mouth or on lips
• sweating
• swelling of eyelids
• swelling of face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
• tearing
• thickened mucous from lungs
• tightness in chest
• troubled breathing
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• weight gain
• wheezing

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
• change in sense of smell
• change in taste
• discouragement
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• feeling sad or empty
• hair loss
• headaches
• irritability
• lack of appetite
• loss of interest or pleasure
• redness, swelling, or soreness of tongue
• sensation of spinning
• sleeplessness
• tiredness
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping
• unable to sleep
• unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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