What is betaxolol?
Betaxolol is in a group of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and
circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins).
Betaxolol is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).
Betaxolol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking betaxolol?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to betaxolol or if you have a serious
heart problem such as heart block, sick sinus syndrome, or slow heart rate, or severe or uncontrolled
heart failure or pheochromocytoma.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take
this medication. Before taking betaxolol, tell your doctor if you have:
-
angina (chest pain), congestive heart failure, coronary artery
disease;
-
asthma, bronchitis, emphysema;
-
diabetes;
-
low blood pressure;
-
depression;
-
liver or kidney disease;
-
a thyroid disorder;
-
psoriasis;
-
myasthenia gravis; or
-
problems with circulation (such as Raynaud's syndrome).
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether betaxolol is
harmful to an unborn baby. Betaxolol may cause heart or lung problems in a newborn if the mother
takes the medication during pregnancy. Before taking betaxolol, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or
plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Betaxolol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take betaxolol?
Take betaxolol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription
label.
Take this medication with a full glass of water.
Take betaxolol at the same time every day.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be
checked on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon that you are using betaxolol. You may
need to briefly stop using betaxolol before having surgery.
Do not skip doses or stop taking betaxolol without first talking to your doctor. Stopping
suddenly may make your condition worse.
Betaxolol is only part of a complete program of treatment for hypertension that may also include
diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely if
you are being treated for hypertension.
Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no
symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Store betaxolol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of betaxolol?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If your next dose is less than 8 hours away,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about betaxolol?
Your pharmacist has information about betaxolol written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of betaxolol?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
slow or uneven heartbeats;
-
feeling like you might pass out;
-
feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
-
swelling of your ankles or feet;
-
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark
urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
-
depression;
-
cold feeling in your hands and feet;
-
joint pain or swelling with fever, swollen glands, muscle
aches, vomiting, chest pain, unusual thoughts or behavior, and/or seizure (convulsions); or
-
patchy skin color, red spots, or a butterfly-shaped skin rash
over your cheeks and nose (worsens in sunlight).
Less serious side effects may include:
-
decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm;
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sleep problems (insomnia);
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tired feeling; or
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anxiety, nervousness.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about betaxolol?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to betaxolol or if you have a serious
heart problem such as heart block, sick sinus syndrome, or slow heart rate, or severe or uncontrolled
heart failure or pheochromocytoma.
Before taking betaxolol, tell your doctor if you have angina (chest pain), congestive heart failure,
coronary artery disease, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, diabetes, low blood pressure, depression,
liver or kidney disease, a thyroid disorder, myasthenia gravis, or problems with circulation (such as
Raynaud's syndrome).
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon that you are using betaxolol. You may
need to briefly stop using betaxolol before having surgery.
Do not skip doses or stop taking betaxolol without first talking to your doctor. Stopping
suddenly may make your condition worse.
Betaxolol is only part of a complete program of treatment for hypertension that may also include
diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely if
you are being treated for hypertension.
Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no
symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
What should I avoid while taking betaxolol?
Betaxolol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if
you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which could increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking
betaxolol.
What other drugs will affect betaxolol?
Before taking betaxolol, tell your doctor if you are using:
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allergy treatments (or if you are undergoing allergy skin-testing);
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clonidine (Catapres);
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digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);
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guanabenz (Wytensin);
-
an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam);
-
a diabetes medication such as insulin, glyburide (Diabeta,
Micronase, Glynase), glipizide (Glucotrol), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), or metformin
(Glucophage);
-
a heart medication such as amiodarone (Cordarone,
Pacerone), disopyramide (Norpace), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), reserpine (Serpasil),
verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Isoptin), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem);
-
medicine for asthma or other breathing disorders, such as
albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil), metaproterenol (Alupent), pirbuterol (Maxair), terbutaline
(Brethaire, Brethine, Bricanyl), and theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair); or
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cold medicines, stimulant medicines, or diet pills.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
betaxolol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This
includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using
a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of betaxolol?
