Betaxolol Ophthalmic Description

Generic Name: BETAXOLOL OPHTHALMIC

Pronunciation: (be tax' oh lol)

Trade Name(s): Betapress, Iobet, Optipress-S

Why it is prescribed: Betaxolol reduces pressure within the eyeball. It is used to treat various eye conditions, including glaucoma, in which increased pressure can lead to gradual loss of vision.

When it is to be taken:
1. Betaxolol is usually used twice a day. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully.
2. Betaxolol must be taken on a regular schedule to be effective.
3. It controls glaucoma but does not cure it.
4. Its effectiveness has be evaluated. It may be necessary to use another drug with betaxolol to treat glaucoma.

How it should be taken:
Betaxolol comes in the form of eye drops. Usually, one drop is applied twice a day. Apply the eye drops in the following manner:
(a) Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
(b) Use a mirror or have someone else put the drops in your eye.
(c) Make sure that the end of the dropper is not chipped or cracked.
(d) Avoid touching the dropper against your eye or anything else.
(e) Hold the dropper tip down at all times to prevent drops from flowing back into the bottle and contaminating the remaining contents.
(f) Lie down or tilt your head back.
(g) Holding the bottle between your thumb and index finger, place the dropper as near as possible to your eyelid without touching it.
(h) Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your cheek or nose.
(i) With the index finger of your other hand, pull the lower lid of the eye down to form a pocket.
(j) Drop the prescribed number of drops into the pocket made by the lower lid and the eye. Placing drops on the surface of the eyeball can cause stinging.
(k) Close your eye for two to three minutes to keep the medication in the eye.
(l) Replace and tighten the cap right away. Do not wipe or rinse it off.
(m) Wipe off and excess liquid from your cheek with a clean tissue. Wash your hands again.

Special Instruction: Betaxolol may lose its effectiveness with long-term use. Contact your doctor if your vision worsens or if you have eye pain.

Side Effects: Mild eye stinging and discomfort, tearing, difficulty breathing are common. Stop using the eye drops and contact your doctor immediately.

Other Precautions:
1. Pregnant or breast-feeding women should inform their doctors.
2. Betaxolol can affect certain medical conditions. Tell your doctor if you have thyroid disease, lung disease, congestive heart failure, or diabetes.
3. Before using betaxolol, tell your doctor regarding your prescription and nonprescription drugs.
4. Before having surgery with a general anesthetic, tell the doctor that you are using betaxolol.

Storage Conditions: Keep this medication in the container it came in and out of the reach of children.