Betaxolol

Generic name: betaxolol
Brand name: Kerlone
Dosage form: oral tablet (10 mg; 20 mg)
Drug class: Cardioselective beta blockers

Medically reviewed by A Ras MD.

What is betaxolol?

Betaxolol is a prescription medicine that is used to treat high blood pressure. Betaxolol may be given to you for other reasons.

Description

Betaxolol Ophthalmic Solution USP, contains betaxolol hydrochloride, a cardioselective beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent, in a sterile isotonic solution. Betaxolol hydrochloride is a white, crystalline powder, soluble in water, with a molecular weight of 343.90. The structural formula is presented below:

Molecular Formula: C18H29NO3•HCl

Chemical Name: (±)-1[p-[2-(Cyclopropylmethoxy)ethyl]phenoxy]-3-(isopropylamino)-2-propanol hydrochloride.

Each mL of Betaxolol Ophthalmic Solution for ophthalmic administration contains: Active: 5.6 mg betaxolol hydrochloride equivalent to betaxolol base 5 mg; Inactives: Edetate Disodium, Sodium Chloride, Hydrochloric Acid and/or Sodium Hydroxide may be added to adjust pH and Water for Injection; Preservative: Benzalkonium Chloride 0.01%.

Before taking betaxolol, tell your doctor:

If you are allergic to betaxolol; 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 heart failure (weak heart).
If you have any of these health problems: Asthma or other breathing problems like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
If you have an adrenal gland tumor called pheochromocytoma.

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

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 betaxolol 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 betaxolol?

Tell all of your health care providers that you take betaxolol. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how betaxolol affects you.
To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Be careful going up and down stairs.
Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
Check blood pressure and heart rate as the doctor has told you.
This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take betaxolol.
Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.
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.
Talk with your doctor before using OTC products that may raise blood pressure. These include cough or cold drugs, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and some natural products or aids.
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 betaxolol 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 betaxolol.
Do not stop taking betaxolol all of a sudden. If you do, chest pain that is worse and in some cases heart attack may occur. The risk may be greater if you have certain types of heart disease. To avoid side effects, you will want to slowly stop betaxolol as ordered by your doctor. Call your doctor right away if you have new or worse chest pain or if other heart problems occur.
If you are 65 or older, use betaxolol with care. You could have more side effects.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using betaxolol 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 betaxolol best taken?

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

Take with or without food.
Keep taking betaxolol as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
Take betaxolol at the same time of day.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Take 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 take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are the side effects of betaxolol 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.
Very bad dizziness or passing out.
Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
Chest pain that is new or worse.
Slow heartbeat.
A heartbeat that does not feel normal.

What are some other side effects of betaxolol?

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:

Joint pain.
Upset stomach.
Feeling tired or weak.
Dizziness.
Headache.
Not able to sleep.

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 betaxolol?

Store at room temperature.
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.