What is this medication for?
Betaxolol eye drops belong to a family of medications called beta-blockers. They work by reducing the production of fluid in the eye. Betaxolol eye drops are used to decrease eye pressure, most often in patients with glaucoma. They may be used along with other eye drops to reduce the pressure in the eye if one eye drop does not work well enough on its own.
The full effects of the eye drops may not be seen for a period of a few weeks. Your doctor will regularly monitor the pressure in your eye.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you are not sure why you are using this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to use this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Betoptic S is available as:
Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.
How should I use this medication?
Shake the bottle well before use. The usual dose is 1 to 2 drops of betaxolol eye drops in the affected eye(s) twice a day. The dose may vary according to need. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you the correct way to instill the eye drops. This medication is for use in the eye only.
Prevent the tip of the eye dropper from touching anything (to avoid contamination) and put the cap back on the bottle after use. Eye solutions, if handled improperly, can become contaminated by common bacteria known to cause eye infections. Serious damage to the eye and loss of vision may result from using contaminated solutions.
If more than one type of eye drop is being used, the different eye drops should be administered at least 10 minutes apart. If you wear contact lenses, you should remove them prior to instilling betaxolol. They may be reinserted after 15 minutes.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important to use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, use it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not instill a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication at room temperature and prevent it from freezing. Protect this medication from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Do not use this medication if you:
- are allergic to betaxolol or any ingredients of the medication
- have certain abnormal heart rhythms (greater than first degree heart block) or low heart rate (bradycardia)
- have overt heart failure
- have severe heart damage or cardiogenic shock (a state where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body)