Dosing and uses of Betoptic (betaxolol ophthalmic)
Adult dosage forms and strengths
ophthalmic solution
- 0.5%
ophthalmic suspension
- 0.25%
Elevated Intraocular Pressure
Suspension: 1 gtt in affected eye q12hr
Solution: 1-2 gtt in affected eye q12hr
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
ophthalmic solution
- 0.5%
ophthalmic suspension
- 0.25%
Elevated Intraocular Pressure
0.25% suspension: 1 gtt in affected eye q12hr
Open Angle Glaucoma
0.25% suspension: 1 gtt in affected eye q12hr
Betoptic (betaxolol ophthalmic) adverse (side) effects
>10%
Ocular effects
- Short term discomfort (<25%)
Frequency not defined
Ocular
- Blurred vision
- Corneal punctate keratitis
- Itching and/or foreign body sensation erythema
- Inflammation
- Ocular pain and/or discharge
- Ocular drynes
- Photophobia
Systemic
- Bradycardia, congestive heart failure, heart block
- Depression, dizziness, headache, insomnia, lethargy, vertigo
- Hair loss, hives, toxic epidermal necrolysis
- Glossitis
- Bronchospasm, dyspnea
- Increase in signs and symptoms of myasthenia gravis
Warnings
Contraindications
Severe CHF, hypersensitivity, sinus bradycardia, cardiogenic shock, >1st deg AV block, uncompensated cardiac failure
Cautions
Patients receiving topical betaxolol and a systemic ß-adrenergic blocking agent concomitantly should be observed carefully for potential additive effects on IOP &/or systemic effects of ß-adrenergic blockade
History of cardiac failure or heart block, discontinue at first S/S of impending cardiac failure
May mask S/S of hyperthyroidism (eg, tachycardia)
Wait 15 min before inserting contact lenses
Inadvertent contamination of ophthalmic solution/suspension may result in bacterial keratitis
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: C
Lactation: Excretion in milk unknown; use with caution
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Betoptic (betaxolol ophthalmic)
Mechanism of action
Selective beta1-blocker; reduces intraocular pressure by reducing production of aqueous humor
Pharmacokinetics
Onset: Within 30 min
Duration: 12 hr
Excretion: Urine (80%)
