Betoptic

Betaxolol, also known and sold under the trade name of Betoptic, is a product that belongs to the group of drugs known as beta blockers. 

It is used in the treatment of high pressure inside the eye, usually caused by glaucoma, or other eye diseases, e.g. ocular hypertension. 

It is considered to work by decreasing the fluid that is normally produced within the eye, by which it decreases the high pressure in the eye and helps prevent blindness. 

It is available in the forms of a solution and suspension.

Before the decision to start the treatment with this product is made, it is important to get informed about the expected beneficial effects, as well as about the potential side effects and risks. 

For the decision to be made, it is essential the beneficial effects to outweigh the potential risks. This is a decision that you and your doctor, together will have to make. 

During the consultations with your doctor, it is important to inform the doctor about:

• Allergies – Inform the doctor about any allergic reactions to any kind of medications, prescribed or no prescribed. Also, inform the healthcare professional about any allergic reactions to any specific kind of food, dye, fabric and etc.
• Pediatric – Proper studies done have not shown any age-connected problems when this medication has been used within pediatric patients.
• Geriatric – Proper studies done have not shown any age-connected problems when this medication had been used within geriatric patients.
• Pregnancy – Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future. There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used during pregnancy. It is unknown how would it affect the infant. Because of this, it should be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.
• Breastfeeding – Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding. There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used within nursing mothers. It is unknown if it is extracted in the milk, or how would it affect the infant. Because of this, it should be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.
• Drug interactions – Inform the doctor if you are currently using any other medications, prescribed or no prescribed, even vitamins and herbal tea. This is important because certain medications should not be used in a combination with others, because of the possibility that certain interactions could occur. But, sometimes the doctor may decide to use a certain type of combination including two or more medications to treat your condition, if he or she considers that combination to prove as beneficial regarding your condition.
• Other interactions – Certain medications should not be used in a combination with specific type of food, tobacco and/or alcohol. Because of this, it is important to get informed if there is a need for you to follow a specific type of diet, and discontinue your use of tobacco and/or alcohol.
• Other medical problems – Inform the doctor about your medical history, any other medical problems and conditions from the past or at the moment. Especially, inform the doctor if there are any of the following conditions present – blood vessel disease, stroke, bradycardia, heart block, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, hypoglycemia, lung disease, or myasthenia gravis.

For proper use, follow the directions given by your doctor. Wash your hands before and after every application. 

To avoid contamination, avoid touching the dropper tip to your eye. If you are wearing contact lens, remove them before you apply the drops, and wait at least 15 minutes before you replace them. 

If you are using another kind of medication, e.g. ointment in your eyes, apply the drops first. Tilt your head back, and pull the lower eyelid to make a pouch. Apply the drops here. Then close your eye and massage the eye gently so that the drops absorb. 

The dose is individual for every patient, prescribed by your doctor and based on your condition and the prognosis of the treatment. The usual dose is one drop, two times a day. 

Use this product regularly so that you would be able to get the most beneficial effects from its use. If you forget apply the daily dose, use is as soon as you remember. 

Do not double to catch up. If an overdose is suspected, contact the doctor right away for further directions.

Visit your doctor at your scheduled appointments, so that he or she would be able to track your condition and make any adjustments if needed. 

These adjustments may refer to the dose – the doctor may decide to increase or decrease the dose, or to the treatment itself – the doctor may decide to discontinue your treatment with this product if there are any serious side effects present, or your condition does not improve or worsens.

 Inform the doctor if you have an allergic reaction to any kind of medications, prescribed or no prescribed. This is important because this medication could contain inactive substances that could cause certain interactions to appear. 

Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant. The doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication, because of the lack of studies that would confirm the safety of this medication to be during pregnancy. 

If you have plans about pregnancy in the near future, the doctor will probably advise you to start using a proven form of birth control to help prevent pregnancy during the treatment with this product. Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding. 

The doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication, due to the lack of studies that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used within nursing mothers. This product may cause blurred vision and dizziness. 

Avoid driving and any other activities that require clear vision and alertness. This product could also cause changes in your blood sugar levels. It could decrease it or it could mask the symptom of rapid pulse rate, which is a symptom of low blood sugar level.

Along with its needed beneficial effects, there are potential side effects that could also appear. These side effects do not appear within all patients, also they could be mild or more serious. 

Based on the side effects the doctor may decide to discontinue the treatment with this product. It is important to get informed about the potential side effects, so that you would be able to notice their presence and inform the doctor as soon as possible. 

• Common side effects – temporary stinging/discomfort of the eye, watery/dry/itchy/red eyes, blurred vision, headache, trouble sleeping, or dizziness. These are common side effects which are not considered as serious, but if they persist or worsen, inform the doctor as soon as possible. 

• Serious side effects – eye pain/swelling/discharge, vision changes, increased sensitivity to light, swelling of the ankles/feet, tiredness, slow/irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, mood changes, or hair loss. If any of these side effects appear, contact the doctor as soon as possible. 

A very serious allergic reaction to this medication is rare, but if you notice any of the following symptoms, inform the doctor as soon as possible – skin rash, itching/swelling of the hands, feet, face, tongue, trouble breathing, or severe dizziness.