Betoptic-S

Generic name: Betaxolol Hydrochloride 2.8mg in 1mL
Dosage form: betaxolol hydrochloride
Drug class: Ophthalmic glaucoma agents

What is Betoptic-S?

Betoptic-S is a prescription medicine that is used to treat glaucoma. It is used to lower high eye pressure.

Before taking Betoptic-S, tell your doctor:

• If you are allergic to Betoptic-S; 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).

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 Betoptic-S 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 Betoptic-S?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take Betoptic-S. 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.
• 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 Betoptic-S 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 Betoptic-S.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using Betoptic-S 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 Betoptic-S best taken?

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

• For the eye only.
• Use Betoptic-S at the same time of day.
• Shake well before use.
• Take out contact lenses before using Betoptic-S. Lenses may be put back in 15 minutes after Betoptic-S 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.
• If more than 1 drug is being used in the same eye, use the drugs at least 10 minutes apart.

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 or extra doses.

What are the side effects of Betoptic-S 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.
• Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
• Slow heartbeat.
• A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
• Muscle weakness.
• Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
• Change in color of hands or feet from pale to blue or red.
• Numbness, pain, tingling, or cold feeling of the hands or feet.
• Any sores or wounds on the fingers or toes.

What are some other side effects of Betoptic-S?

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:

• Short-term pain after use.

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 Betoptic-S?

• Store at room temperature or in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• Store upright with the cap on.
• 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.

SRC: NLM .