Betagan

Generic name: levobunolol ophthalmic
Drug class: Ophthalmic glaucoma agents

Medically reviewed by  A Ras MD.

What is Betagan?

Betagan is a prescription medicine that is used to treat glaucoma. It is used to lower high eye pressure.

Description

BETAGAN® (levobunolol hydrochloride ophthalmic solution, USP) sterile is a noncardioselective beta-adrenoceptor blocking agent for ophthalmic use. The solution is colorless to slightly light yellow in appearance with an osmolality range of 250-360 mOsm/kg. The shelf life pH range is 5.5 to 7.5.

Chemical Name: (-)-(S)-5-[3-(tert-Butylamino)-2-hydroxypropoxy]-3,4-dihydro-1(2H)-naphthalenone hydrochloride.

Structural Formula: levobunolol HCl

Contains: Active: levobunolol HCl 0.5%. Preservative: benzalkonium chloride 0.004% Inactives: edetate disodium; polyvinyl alcohol 1.4%; potassium phosphate, monobasic; purified water; sodium chloride; sodium metabisulfite; sodium phosphate, dibasic; and hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide to adjust pH.

Before taking Betagan, tell your doctor:

• If you are allergic to Betagan; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have any of these health problems: Heart block, shock caused by heart problems, or slow heartbeat.
• If you have any of these health problems: Asthma or other breathing problems like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
• If you have heart failure (weak heart).
• If you are using another drug like this one. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Betagan with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Betagan?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take Betagan. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Use care when driving or doing other tasks that call for clear eyesight.
• Have your eye pressure and eyesight checked as you have been told by the doctor.
• Tell your doctor if you have an eye infection, eye injury, or will be having eye surgery.
• If you are allergic to sulfites, talk with your doctor. Some products have sulfites.
• This medicine may hide the signs of low blood sugar. Talk with the doctor.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely.
• This medicine may make it harder to tell if you have signs of an overactive thyroid like fast heartbeat. If you have an overactive thyroid and stop taking Betagan all of a sudden, it may get worse and could be life-threatening. Talk with your doctor.
• If you have had a very bad allergic reaction, talk with your doctor. You may have a chance of an even worse reaction if you come into contact with what caused your allergy. If you use epinephrine to treat very bad allergic reactions, talk with your doctor. Epinephrine may not work as well while you are taking Betagan.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using Betagan while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

How is Betagan best taken?

Use Betagan as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• For the eye only.
• Take out contact lenses before using Betagan. Lenses may be put back in 15 minutes after Betagan is given. Do not put contacts back in if your eyes are irritated or infected.
• Do not touch the container tip to the eye, lid, or other skin.
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Tilt your head back and drop drug into the eye.
• After use, keep your eyes closed. Put pressure on the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 1 to 2 minutes. This keeps the drug in your eye.
• Blot extra solution from the eyelid.
• Use Betagan at the same time of day.
• Use as you have been told, even if your signs get better.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Use a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not use 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are the side effects of Betagan that I need to call my doctor about immediately?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Change in eyesight, eye pain, or very bad eye irritation.
• Muscle weakness.
• Slow heartbeat.
• Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
• Very bad dizziness or passing out.

What are some other side effects of Betagan?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Eye irritation.
• Burning.
• Stinging.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If overdose is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Betagan?

• Store in an upright position at room temperature.
• Protect from light.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Label

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