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Betaxolol Coupon - Betaxolol 10mg tablet

betaxolol

Generic
Used for Hypertension
Used for Hypertension

Betaxolol is a medication that's used to treat high blood pressure. But it's typically not a first-choice medication, unless you have certain health conditions, such coronary artery disease (CAD). Betaxolol can be taken alone or together with other medications used to lower blood pressure. It's taken by mouth, usually once daily.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
reviewer
Allison Gourley, PharmD
Last reviewed on March 7, 2023
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostContraindicationsAlternativesLatest newsImagesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Betaxolol?

What is Betaxolol used for?

  • High blood pressure

How Betaxolol works

Betaxolol is a cardioselective beta blocker. It works by blocking chemicals that typically attach to receptors on your heart that raise your blood pressure and heart rate. In blocking these chemicals, betaxolol slows down your heart rate and lowers your blood pressure.

Are you looking for information on betaxolol (Betoptic) eye drops instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsKerlone (brand no longer available)
Drug ClassBeta blocker
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the side effects of Betaxolol?

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

  • Slow heartbeat (8%)
  • Headache (7%)
  • Indigestion (5%)
  • Dizziness (5%)

Other Side Effects

  • Feeling tired
  • Low energy
  • Joint pain
  • Trouble breathing
  • Sore throat, runny nose, and other symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Heart failure: trouble breathing, swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet, feeling tired, unable to exercise
  • Bronchospasm: tightness in the chest, trouble catching your breath, difficulty breathing, wheezing, cough, dizziness, extreme tiredness

Source: DailyMed

The following 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

Less common

Cold arms, legs, hands, or feet

difficult or labored breathing

fast, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse

swelling of face, fingers, feet, or lower legs

tightness in the chest

wheezing

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Anxiety

blurred vision

chills

cold sweats

coma

confusion

convulsions (seizures)

cool, pale skin

decreased urine output

depression

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

weight gain

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:

More common

Joint pain

nausea

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

diarrhea

difficulty in moving

dryness or soreness of throat

fever

heartburn

hoarseness

inability to have or keep an erection

indigestion

loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance

muscle pain or stiffness

rash

runny nose

sleeplessness

sneezing

stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

stuffy nose

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.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Betaxolol

thumbs-up

Pros

Taken by mouth once daily

Can be taken alone or combined with other medications to treat high blood pressure

Less likely to cause breathing problems than some other beta blockers if you have asthma

Can take with or without food

thumbs-down

Cons

Not a first-choice medication for high blood pressure

Not an option if you have certain serious heart problems, such as heart failure or second or third degree heart block

Makes it hard to tell when your low blood sugar level is too low

Might not be safe in breastfeeding females

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Betaxolol

pharmacist

  • Avoid any task (e.g., driving or operating other machinery) that requires you to be alert until you know how you'll respond to betaxolol. Side effects like dizziness and fainting are more common when you first start this medication or right after your dose is changed. Most people find these side effects get better or go away within several weeks after starting betaxolol.

    • Betaxolol can cause dizziness, falling, or fainting, especially when moving from a lying or seated position to a standing position. If this happens often, speak with your healthcare provider about other options to treat high blood pressure.

      • Because betaxolol lowers your blood pressure and heart rate, it can make it harder for you to identify symptoms of low blood sugar, such as fast heart beats. This is especially important for people with diabetes since you might not be able to rely on all the typical symptoms of low blood sugar to warn you of a dangerous drop in your sugar levels. Sweating might be the only symptom not affected by taking betaxolol.

        • Before you have any surgeries, tell your provider you're taking betaxolol. Most of the time, they'll need to monitor your blood pressure and heart rate more closely during surgery. But in some cases, they might ask you to stop taking this medication for a while before your procedure.

          • Don't stop taking betaxolol suddenly without talking to your healthcare provider. This can cause your blood pressure to rise to very high levels and raise your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

            • If you have a history of a severe allergic reaction, let your provider know. Beta blockers like betaxolol can interact with life-saving allergy medications like epinephine (EpiPen, Auvi-Q) and make them work less well.

              • Make sure to tell your eye provider that you're taking betaxolol, since it can interfere with glaucoma tests.

                faqs

                Frequently asked questions about Betaxolol

                How fast does betaxolol work?
                Typically, you need to take betaxolol consistently for 1-2 weeks before you can experience the full benefits of this medication on your blood pressure. It's important to track your blood pressure at home regularly and note any trends in your measurements. When you first start betaxolol, your provider might need to adjust your dose over the course of a few weeks to find a dose that works best for you. If you're not sure whether betaxolol is working, talk with your provider.
                Can I drink alcohol with betaxolol?
                If possible, you should avoid drinking alcohol while taking betaxolol. Alcohol might worsen certain side effects of betaxolol, like dizziness. This is because alcohol can also lower your blood pressure, just like betaxolol. When your blood pressure drops too low, you're at risk for fainting or falls. If it's difficult for you to stop drinking alcohol completely, talk with your provider. They might be able to help cut down the amount of alcohol you drink or they might need to make changes to your blood pressure medication.
                Can I take betaxolol if I have high blood sugar?
                Let your provider know if you have high blood sugar or diabetes, especially if you're taking medications like glipizide or insulin. Taking betaxolol can make it more difficult for you to recognize typical symptoms of low blood sugar, such as fast heartbeat and shakiness. This means your blood sugar levels can drop too low without your notice, which can be dangerous. If you have diabetes, you might need to check your blood sugar more often when you're taking betaxolol. Or, your provider might select a different blood pressure medication for you to take.
                What should I do if I want to stop taking betaxolol?
                If you want to stop taking betaxolol, let your provider know. Don't stop taking this medication suddenly, especially if you've been taking it regularly for a while. Doing so can lead to withdrawal symptoms, such as high blood pressure and fast heartbeat. And in serious cases, this can lead to chest pain and heart attack. If you want to stop betaxolol, your provider can help you do so safely by lowering your dose slowly over time.
                Is betaxolol safe to take during pregnancy?
                There isn't enough information to know if betaxolol is safe during pregnancy. This medication hasn't been studied well in human pregnancy. But animal studies showed that it can cause harm to unborn babies. If you're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, speak to your provider about the safest options to treat your blood pressure.
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                What are the risks and warnings for Betaxolol?

                Betaxolol 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.

                risk-warning

                Heart failure

                • Risk factors: Congestive heart failure

                  There have been reports of people developing heart failure while taking betaxolol. If you have heart failure and your symptoms aren't under control, let your provider know because they might need to monitor you carefully or consider a different medication for you. Talk to your provider if you notice symptoms of heart failure, such as tiredness, weakness, swelling in your feet or ankles, fast or irregular heartbeat, or if you have trouble catching your breath when you lie down or exercise.

                  risk-warning

                  Chest pain or heart attack from stopping betaxolol suddenly

                  • Risk factors: Coronary artery disease | Stopping betaxolol suddenly

                    Don't stop taking betaxolol suddenly without talking to your healthcare provider especially if you have coronary artery disease, since chest pain (angina) can get worse or could mean the beginning of a heart attack. Talk to your healthcare provider first if you would like to stop this medication.

                    risk-warning

                    Hiding symptoms of low blood sugar

                    • Risk factors: Diabetes

                      Taking betaxolol can make it difficult for you to identify symptoms of low blood sugar, such as fast heart beat or tremors. If you’re taking medications, like glipizide or insulin, to lower your blood sugar, you might not be able to rely on all the typical symptoms of low blood sugar (e.g., irritability, sight tremors, confusion, and fast heartbeat) to warn you of a dangerous drop in your sugar levels. Sweating might be the only symptom not affected by taking betaxolol. Speak with your healthcare provider about when and how to monitor your blood sugar if you start betaxolol.

                      risk-warning

                      Hidden symptoms of overactive thyroid

                      • Risk factors: Hyperthyroidism

                        People taking betaxolol who also have overactive thyroid might not recognize the signs of hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone), such as a fast heart rate. Don't stop taking betaxolol suddenly without talking to your healthcare provider, since this can worsen thyroid problems.

                        risk-warning

                        Breathing problems

                        • Risk factors: History of asthma | History of COPD | History of lung problems

                          Beta blocker medications, like betaxolol, are usually not recommended for people with bronchospastic disease like asthma because they can cause difficulty breathing. Betaxolol has a lower chance of causing breathing problems than other beta blockers, but should still be carefully monitored by a healthcare provider. Your provider might start you on a lower dose or have you take betaxolol twice a day to make sure it's not causing breathing problems.

                          risk-warning

                          Greater risk during surgery

                          • Risk factors: Major surgery requiring anesthesia

                            Both beta-blockers and medications used for anesthesia can lower your heart rate. So, if you’re planning to undergo a major surgery that requires anesthesia, tell your surgeon that you’re on betaxolol so that they can monitor your heart closely.

                            dosage

                            Betaxolol dosage forms

                            Typical dosing for Betaxolol

                            The typical starting dose is 10 mg by mouth once daily. If needed, your provider will raise your dose slowly over time. The typical maximum dose is 20 mg daily.

                            Your dose might differ if you've kidney problems or if you're 65 years or older.

                            interactions

                            Interactions between Betaxolol and other drugs

                            Betaxolol 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. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                            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.

                            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.

                            drug-cost

                            How much does Betaxolol cost?

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                            contraindications-icon

                            Betaxolol 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 will not be safe for you to take.

                            • Untreated pheochromocytoma

                            • Sinus bradycardia (a type of slow heartbeat)

                            • Heart block greater than first degree

                            • Shock

                            • Heart failure

                            alternatives

                            What are alternatives to Betaxolol?

                            There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Betaxolol. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                            Betaxolol
                            Used for:

                            • High blood pressure

                            $37.02 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                            Metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor)
                            Used for:
                            $8.79 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                            Atenolol (Tenormin)
                            Used for:
                            $4.00 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                            images

                            Betaxolol images

                            White Round E 38 - Betaxolol Hydrochloride 10mg Tablet
                            This medicine is White, Round, Scored Tablet Imprinted With "E 38".White Round E 38 - Betaxolol Hydrochloride 10mg Tablet

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