What is a Beta Blocker? And Other Commonly Asked Questions
We're answering questions about beta blockers — learn what they are, how they work, common side effects, and more.
betaxolol
Used for Eye Pressure, Glaucoma, Hypertension
Used for Eye Pressure, Glaucoma, Hypertension
Betaxolol (Betoptic-S) is an eye drop medication. It helps lower pressure within the eye and treats glaucoma in adults. This eye drop is a beta blocker that works by lessening the amount of fluid in the eye. The Betaxolol (Betoptic-S) eye drops are typically used twice a day. Side effects aren't common but can include temporary eye discomfort and watery eyes. Betaxolol (Betoptic-S) can be used by itself or together with other pressure-lowering eye drops.
What is Betaxolol (Betoptic-S)?
What is Betaxolol (Betoptic-S) used for?
- High pressure in the eye caused by ocular hypertension (high blood pressure inside the eye) or open-angle glaucoma (the most common type of glaucoma)
How Betaxolol (Betoptic-S) works
Betaxolol (Betoptic-S) is an eye drop that belongs to a drug class called beta blocker. It helps lessen the amount of fluid that's made in the eye. When there's less fluid inside the eye, the eye pressure goes down.
When does Betaxolol (Betoptic-S) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Betoptic-S |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Beta blocker |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Betaxolol (Betoptic-S)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Temporary discomfort in the eye (burning or stinging) after using
- Watery eye
Less Common Side Effects
- Itchy eyes
- Dry eyes
- Crusty lashes
- Red eyes
- Eye pain
- Feeling like there's something in your eye
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurry vision
- Other changes in vision
Betaxolol (Betoptic-S) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Trouble breathing: shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness
- Heart failure: shortness of breath; fatigue; swelling in the legs, ankles and feet
- Allergic reaction: rash, swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing
When do Betaxolol (Betoptic-S) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
M
H
D
W
M
Discomfort in the eye
Watery eye
Blurry vision
The following Betaxolol (Betoptic-S) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Chest pain or discomfort
lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
shortness of breath
slow or irregular heartbeat
unusual tiredness
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
blurred vision
chills
cold sweats
coma
confusion
convulsions (seizures)
cool, pale skin
decreased urine output
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
extreme fatigue
headache
increased hunger
irregular breathing
loss of consciousness
nervousness
nightmares
noisy breathing
shakiness
slurred speech
sweating
troubled breathing
unusual tiredness or weakness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Acid or sour stomach
belching
body aches or pain
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
congestion
decreased interest in sexual intercourse
difficulty in moving
dryness or soreness of throat
hoarseness
inability to have or keep an erection
indigestion
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
muscle pain or stiffness
rash
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
tender, swollen glands in neck
trouble in swallowing
trouble sleeping
unable to sleep
unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness
unusual or strange dreams
voice changes
Rare
Discouragement
feeling sad or empty
irritability
lack of appetite
loss of interest or pleasure
tiredness
trouble concentrating
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$75.00
GoodRx discount
$21.26
Pros and cons of Betaxolol (Betoptic-S)
Pros
- Works well at lowering eye pressure
- Can use with other eye drops if it's not working well enough on its own
- Side effects aren't common, except for temporary discomfort in the eye right after using the eye drops
- Lower-cost generic available for the solution version
Cons
- Must use twice a day
- Might not be the best choice if you have asthma or other lung conditions
- Not recommended if you have heart problems like heart failure, heart block, or long-lasting low heart rate
- Unknown if safe while pregnant or breastfeeding
Pharmacist tips for Betaxolol (Betoptic-S)
- If you have the suspension version of betaxolol (Betoptic-S), shake the bottle well before you use the eye drops. You don't need to shake the solution version beforehand.
- Wash your hands before you put betaxolol (Betoptic-S) in your eyes. Don't let the dropper tip touch the surface of your eye, and don't touch the dropper tip with your hands. This helps keep the tip clean, prevent germs from getting into the medication, and avoid eye infections.
- If you wear contact lenses, remove them before each time you use the betaxolol (Betoptic-S) eye drops. Then, wait 15 minutes after you use betaxolol (Betoptic-S) to put your contacts back in your eye. The medication has a preservative in it that can damage contact lenses.
- After you place a drop of betaxolol (Betoptic-S) in the eye, close your eye and press one finger to the inner corner of your eye by the nose. Press lightly for 1 minute. This helps make sure your eye absorbs the drop of medication.
- If you're using more than one drop of betaxolol (Betoptic-S) or more than one eye drop medication at the same time, wait 5 minutes between each drop.
- Your vision might be blurry for a short period of time after you place betaxolol (Betoptic-S) drops in your eye. Be careful driving until your vision clears up.
- Tell your optometrist or ophthalmologist if you have any damage or injury to your eye or if you develop an eye infection. Your eye specialist might tell you to stop using betaxolol (Betoptic-S) until your eye gets better. They might recommend that you use a new bottle of medication if you have an eye infection just in case the bottle you're currently using got contaminated.
- Store betaxolol (Betoptic-S) at room temperature. Don't use the eye drops after its expiration date because it might not be safe to use.
Risks and warnings for Betaxolol (Betoptic-S)
Betaxolol (Betoptic-S) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Hidden symptoms of low blood sugar
- Risk factors: Diabetes
Beta blockers can cause people with diabetes (high blood sugar) to not notice symptoms of low blood sugar, except for sweating and dizziness. Very small amounts of betaxolol (Betoptic-S) might get absorbed into your bloodstream, so this isn't common with beta blocker eye drops. Talk to your primary care provider to see whether you should check your blood sugar more often if you have diabetes and you're using betaxolol (Betoptic-S).
Hidden symptoms of overactive thyroid
Beta blockers can cause people with an overactive thyroid to not recognize the signs of hyperthyroidism, such as a fast heart rate. It's possible for some betaxolol (Betoptic-S) to get absorbed into your bloodstream and cause this effect. Make sure your optometrist or ophthalmologist knows whether you have thyroid problems before you start treatment with betaxolol (Betoptic-S).
Worsening of myasthenia gravis
It's possible for beta blockers like betaxolol (Betoptic-S) to worsen symptoms like muscle weakness in people who have myasthenia gravis. Watch out for worsening symptoms if you have myasthenia gravis and let your care team know if this happens to you.
Not recommended for people with breathing problems
- Risk factors: History of asthma | History of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) | History of other lung conditions
Beta blocker medications like betaxolol (Betoptic-S) are usually not recommended for people with lung conditions, like asthma and COPD. Beta blockers can cause trouble breathing by making the airways to become narrower. Make sure your healthcare team knows if you have or have ever had any lung problems or conditions before you start using betaxolol (Betoptic-S) to check whether it's safe for you.
Caution use in people who've had heart problems like heart failure
- Risk factors: History of congestive heart failure | History of heart block
It's possible for betaxolol (Betoptic-S) to have a small effect on heart rate and blood pressure. Tell your care team about your medical history, especially if you've had heart failure or heart block. Changes in heart rate and blood pressure can affect these heart conditions. Talk to your primary care provider if you notice swelling in your feet or ankles, a fast or irregular pulse, or shortness of breath when you lie down or exercise. These might be signs of heart problems.
Betaxolol (Betoptic-S) dosage
The average cost for 1 eye dropper of 5ml of 0.5% of Betaxolol (Betoptic-S) is $21.26 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 71.65% off the average retail price of $75.00.
Interactions between Betaxolol (Betoptic-S) and other drugs
Betaxolol (Betoptic-S) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Betaxolol (Betoptic-S). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Albuterol
- Ceritinib
- Crizotinib
- Disopyramide
- Dronedarone
- Fenoldopam
- Fingolimod
- Formoterol
- Indacaterol
- Iohexol
- Lacosamide
- Levalbuterol
- Olodaterol
- Ponesimod
- Rivastigmine
- Salmeterol
- Siponimod
- Terbutaline
- Vilanterol
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Aceclofenac
- Acemetacin
- Amtolmetin Guacil
- Aspirin
- Bromfenac
- Bufexamac
- Celecoxib
- Choline Salicylate
- Clonixin
- Dexibuprofen
- Dexketoprofen
- Diclofenac
- Diflunisal
- Dipyrone
- Droxicam
- Etodolac
- Etofenamate
- Etoricoxib
- Felbinac
- Fenoprofen
- Fepradinol
- Feprazone
- Floctafenine
- Flufenamic Acid
- Flurbiprofen
- Ibuprofen
- Indomethacin
- Ketoprofen
- Ketorolac
- Lornoxicam
- Loxoprofen
- Lumiracoxib
- Meclofenamate
- Mefenamic Acid
- Meloxicam
- Morniflumate
- Nabumetone
- Naproxen
- Nepafenac
- Niflumic Acid
- Nimesulide
- Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
- Oxaprozin
- Oxyphenbutazone
- Parecoxib
- Phenylbutazone
- Piketoprofen
- Piroxicam
- Pranoprofen
- Proglumetacin
- Propyphenazone
- Proquazone
- Rofecoxib
- Salicylic Acid
- Salsalate
- Sodium Salicylate
- St John's Wort
- Sulindac
- Tenoxicam
- Tiaprofenic Acid
- Tolfenamic Acid
- Tolmetin
- Valdecoxib
How much does Betaxolol (Betoptic-S) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Betaxolol (Betoptic-S) (generic)
$21.26
Betaxolol (Betoptic-S) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Betaxolol (Betoptic-S) will not be safe for you to take.
- Sinus bradycardia (slow heart rate)
- Second- or third-degree heart block
- Heart failure
- Cardiogenic shock
What are alternatives to Betaxolol (Betoptic-S)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Betaxolol (Betoptic-S). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Betaxolol (Betoptic-S)
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Betaxolol (Betoptic-S) images
