Betaxolol - Ophthalmic

Betaxolol is used on its own or together with other medicines to treat an increased pressure in the eye.

Instil Betaxolol eye drop solution in the affected eye(s) exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not use more or less than instructed by your doctor.

This medicine is available as an eye drop solution or as an eye drop suspension.

To use the eye drop solution or suspension, follow these steps:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before using the eye drops.
2. Shake the bottle well before using.
3. Tilt your head slightly backwards. With the index finger, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Look upward and instil the required number of drops inside the lower eyelid.
4. Close your eye and do not blink for the next 30 seconds.
5. Wipe any excess liquid from your face with a clean tissue.
6. Replace and tighten the cap of the bottle.

Do not allow the tip of the dropper of this medicine to touch your eyes, eyelids, or any other surface. Recap the eye drop immediately after use. If the eye drop becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in your eyes.

If you have been given any other eye drops or medicines to be used together with this medicine, wait for at least 5 minutes before using the other medicine.

Do not share your eye drops with anyone else.

Some brands of Betaxolol contain benzalkonium chloride as a preservative. This may discolour soft contact lenses and cause eye irritation. If you are wearing contact lenses, you should remove them before instilling the eye drops. Wait for at least 15 minutes before reinserting your lenses.

Instil the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

If you often forget to instil your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.

Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• sick sinus syndrome (abnormal heart rhythms due to problems with your heart's natural pacemaker)
• 2nd- or 3rd-degree heart block
• cardiogenic shock (a serious sudden condition when the heart cannot supply enough oxygen-rich blood to the brain and vital organs of the body)
• Prinzmetal's angina (a rare type of chest pain that occurs when a person is at rest)
• untreated phaeochromocytoma (rare tumour of the adrenal gland causing high blood pressure)
• severe asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (a long-term lung disease that causes airflow obstruction making it hard to breathe)

as Betaxolol may not be suitable for you.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• history of atopy (an inherited condition associated with heightened immune response to common allergens which may lead to allergic diseases including asthma)
• cerebrovascular insufficiency (blockage of one or more blood vessels that supply blood to the brain)
• myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness disorder)
• diabetes
• thyroid disease
• blood flow disorder such as Raynaud's disease (poor blood circulation which makes the toes and fingers numb and pale when feeling cold or stressed)
• metabolic acidosis (a condition when there is too much acid in the blood)

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

For as long as you are using this medicine, you may need to have your eyes checked regularly. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have this test.

Betaxolol may cause your vision to be temporarily blurred. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to see clearly.

Other side effects include any of the following: eye discomfort, itching, pain, or dryness, nausea, and headache.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes, mouth, face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
• slow heartbeat or a heartbeat that does not feel normal

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• medicines for heart disease or high blood pressure e.g. reserpine, amiodarone, disopyramide, cardiac glycosides
• certain medicines for major mental illnesses

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Betaxolol.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Store below 25°C, away from the reach of children.

Keep the bottle tightly closed after use.

Throw away any remaining eye drops 4 weeks after opening. Mark the date of opening on the eye drop bottle so that you know when to discard it.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.