Betoptic S

This medication is used alone or with other medications to treat high pressure inside the eye due to glaucoma (open-angle type) or other eye diseases (e.g., ocular hypertension). Lowering high pressure inside the eye helps to prevent blindness. Betaxolol belongs to a class of drugs known as beta blockers and works by decreasing the amount of fluid that is made within the eye.

To apply eye drops, wash your hands first. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface.

If you are wearing contact lenses, remove them before using eye drops. Wait at least 15 minutes before replacing your contact lenses.

Shake the bottle well before using. Tilt your head back, look upward, and pull down the lower eyelid to make a pouch. Hold the dropper directly over your eye and place one drop into the pouch, usually twice daily or as directed by your doctor. Look downward and gently close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Place one finger at the corner of your eye (near the nose) and apply gentle pressure. This will prevent the medication from draining out. Try not to blink and do not rub your eye. Repeat these steps for your other eye if so directed or if your dose is for more than 1 drop.

Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap after each use.

If you are using another kind of eye medication (e.g., drops or ointments), wait at least 10 minutes before using the other medications. Use eye drops before eye ointments to allow the eye drops to enter the eye.

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day. Keep using this medication even if you feel well. Most people with glaucoma or high pressure in the eyes do not feel sick.

Temporary stinging/discomfort of the eye, watery/dry/itchy/red eyes, blurred vision, feeling as if something is in the eye, crusting of eyelashes, headache, trouble sleeping, or dizziness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: eye pain/swelling/discharge, vision changes, increased eye sensitivity to light, swelling of the ankles/feet, tiredness, slow/irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, mental/mood changes, hair loss, blue fingers/toes, cold hands/feet.

Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: trouble breathing, sudden unexplained weight gain, chest pain, weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, confusion, persistent dizziness, fainting.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before using betaxolol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other beta blockers (e.g., timolol, metipranolol); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as preservatives like benzalkonium chloride), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: certain types of heart rhythm problems (e.g., sinus bradycardia, second- or third-degree atrioventricular block), certain serious heart conditions (cardiogenic shock, severe heart failure).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: diabetes, low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), muscle weakness disorders (e.g., myasthenia gravis), breathing problems (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD), heart failure (treated, stable type), low blood flow to the brain (cerebrovascular insufficiency), poor blood flow to the hands/feet (Raynaud's phenomenon), severe allergies.

If you develop an eye infection or injury, or have eye surgery, check with your doctor about whether you should continue to use your current bottle of betaxolol. You may be advised to start using a new bottle.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication.

This drug may make you dizzy or blur your vision. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear vision until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

If you have diabetes, this product may mask the fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually feel when your blood sugar level falls too low (hypoglycemia). Other symptoms of a low blood sugar level, such as dizziness/sweating, are unaffected by this drug.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store upright in the refrigerator or at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: drugs for high blood pressure (including clonidine, oral beta blockers such as propranolol, calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem), epinephrine, fingolimod.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. If this product is accidentally swallowed, you may experience symptoms such as trouble breathing, slow/irregular heartbeat.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., eye exams) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.