Betaxolol Ophthalmic 

What is betaxolol ophthalmic? 

Betaxolol is a beta-blocker that reduces pressure inside the eye. 

Betaxolol ophthalmic (for the eyes)  is used to treat open-angle glaucoma and other causes  of high  pressure inside the eye.

Betaxolol ophthalmic may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide. 

What is the most important information I should know about betaxolol ophthalmic? 

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to betaxolol, or if you have asthma, or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), slow heartbeats, or a heart condition called "AV block." 

Before using this medication, tell  your doctor if  you have breathing problems such  as bronchitis or emphysema, a history of heart disease or congestive heart failure, diabetes, history of stroke, blood clot, or circulation problems, a thyroid disorder, or a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis. 

Do not allow the dropper to touch any surface, including the eyes  or hands. If the dropper becomes contaminated  it could cause an infection in  your eye, which can lead to vision loss or serious damage to the eye. 

Betaxolol ophthalmic is sometimes given together with other eye medications. Do not use any other eye medication unless your doctor has prescribed it for you.  If you use another eye medication, use it at least 10 minutes before or after  using betaxolol ophthalmic. Do  not use the medications at the same time.

Betaxolol ophthalmic can cause blurred vision. Be careful  if you drive or do anything that requires you to be able to see clearly.  Do not use this medication while you are wearing contact lenses. Betaxolol ophthalmic may contain a preservative that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after  using betaxolol before putting  your contact lenses in. 

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using betaxolol ophthalmic? 

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to betaxolol, or if you have: 

• asthma, or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
• slow heartbeats; or 
• a heart condition called "AV block." 

• breathing problems such as bronchitis or emphysema; 
• a history of heart disease or congestive heart failure; 
• diabetes; 
• history  of stroke, blood clot,  or circulation problems; 
• a thyroid disorder; or 
• a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis. 

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether betaxolol ophthalmic is harmful to an unborn baby. Before using this medication, tell  your doctor if you are pregnant  or plan  to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether betaxolol passes  into breast milk  or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling  your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. 

How should I use betaxolol ophthalmic? 

Use betaxolol ophthalmic exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use  the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by  your doctor. Follow  the instructions on  your prescription label. 

Wash your hands before using  the eye drops. Do not use this medication while you are wearing contact lenses. Betaxolol ophthalmic may contain a preservative  that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using betaxolol before putting  your contact lenses in.

To apply the eye drops: 

• Tilt  your head back slightly and  pull down your  lower eyelid. Hold the dropper above the  eye with the dropper tip down. Look up and away from the dropper as you squeeze out  a drop, then close your eye. 
• Gently press your finger to  the inside corner of the eye (near your nose) for about 1 minute to keep the liquid from draining  into your tear duct. If you use more than one drop in  the same eye, wait about 5 minutes before putting in  the next drop. 
• Do not allow  the dropper tip to touch any surface, including  the eyes or hands. If  the dropper becomes contaminated it could  cause an infection in your eye, which can lead to vision loss or serious damage to the eye. 
• Do not use the eye drops if the liquid has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription. 

Tell  your doctor right away if you have any  eye injury or infection. If you have any type of surgery, including eye surgery, tell  the surgeon ahead of time that you are using betaxolol ophthalmic. You may need  to stop using  the medicine for a short time. Store this  medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep  the bottle tightly closed when  not in use. 

What happens if I miss a dose? 

Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose  and use the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.  Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose. 

What happens if I overdose? 

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. 

Overdose symptoms may include slow heart rate, feeling short of breath, swelling, rapid weight gain, or fainting. 

What should I avoid while using betaxolol ophthalmic? 

Betaxolol ophthalmic can cause blurred vision. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be able to see clearly. 

Betaxolol ophthalmic is sometimes given together with other eye medications. Do not use any other eye medication unless your doctor has prescribed it for you. If you use another eye medication, use it at least 10 minutes before or after using betaxolol ophthalmic. Do not use the medications at the same time. 

Betaxolol ophthalmic side effects 

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using  this medication and call your doctor  at once if you have  any of these serious side effects: 

• severe swelling, itching, burning, redness, pain,  or discomfort in or around  your eye; 
• drainage, crusting, or oozing  of your eyes or eyelids; 
• bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing); 
• slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing (breathing may stop); 
• feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion; or 
• Swelling, rapid weight gain. 

Less serious side effects may include: 

• mild burning, stinging, itching, or discomfort of your eyes; 
• dry eyes, blurred vision; 
• mildly swollen or puffy eyes; 
• feeling like something is in  your eye; 
• headache, dizziness, spinning sensation; 
• depression;
• sleep problems (insomnia); 
• muscle weakness; or 
• altered sense of taste or smell. 

This is  not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell  your doctor  about any unusual or bothersome side effect. 

Betaxolol ophthalmic Dosing Information 

Usual Adult Dose for Intraocular Hypertension: 

Instill 1 to 2 drops in the affected eye(s) twice daily. 

Usual Adult Dose for Glaucoma (Open Angle): 

Instill 1 to 2 drops in the affected eye(s) twice daily. 

What other drugs will affect betaxolol ophthalmic? 

Before using betaxolol ophthalmic, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs: 

• oral betaxolol (Blocadren); 
• digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin); 
• reserpine;
• insulin or diabetes medications you take by mouth; 
• any other beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol (Zebeta), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), timolol (Blocadren), and others; 
• a calcium channel blocker such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Tiazac, Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Nifedical, Procardia, Adalat), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); or 
• Medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), or thioridazine (Mellaril). 

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with betaxolol ophthalmic. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. 

Where can I get more information? 

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about betaxolol ophthalmic. 
• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. 
•  Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive.  The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient.  The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.