betaxolol

This medication is used to treat high blood pressure. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Betaxolol belongs to a class of drugs known as beta blockers. It works by blocking the action of certain natural chemicals in your body such as epinephrine that affect the heart and blood vessels. This results in a lowering of the heart rate and blood pressure.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily with or without food or as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Patients with kidney disease should not take more than 20 milligrams daily. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick. For the treatment of high blood pressure, it may take several months before the full benefit of this drug takes effect. Inform your doctor if your condition worsens (e.g., your routine blood pressure readings increase).

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: calcium channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil), drugs for diabetes (e.g., glipizide, glyburide, insulin), epinephrine, fenoldopam, general anesthesia, other heart drugs (e.g., digoxin), other drugs to treat high blood pressure (e.g., clonidine, reserpine), St John's wort, "water pills" (diuretics such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide). Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs such as ibuprofen for pain/fever reduction) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products. This medication may interfere with glaucoma screening tests, possibly causing false test results. Make sure your eye doctor knows you use this drug. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Do not share this medication with others. Lifestyle changes such as starting a stress reduction program, stopping smoking, limiting alcohol, exercising, and making diet changes, may increase the effectiveness of this medication. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you. Have your blood pressure and pulse checked regularly while taking this medication. It may be best to learn how to monitor your own blood pressure and pulse. Discuss this with your doctor.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include: fainting, severe weakness, very slow heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, sudden weight gain, sudden swelling, trouble breathing.

See also warning section. Before taking betaxolol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other beta blockers (e.g., atenolol, metoprolol); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: certain types of irregular heartbeats (e.g., sinus bradycardia, second- or third-degree atrioventricular block), a certain serious heart condition (cardiogenic shock), uncontrolled severe heart failure, a certain type of tumor (untreated pheochromocytoma). Before taking this drug, tell your doctor if you have a history of: heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, breathing problems (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease-COPD), blood circulation problems (e.g., Raynaud's disease), skin conditions (e.g., psoriasis), mental/mood disorders (e.g., depression), diabetes, glaucoma, certain muscle disease (myasthenia gravis), overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication. This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position. If you have diabetes, this medication may mask the fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually feel when your blood sugar level falls too low (hypoglycemia). Other symptoms of a low blood sugar level such as dizziness or sweating are unaffected by this drug. Kidney function declines as you grow older. This medication is removed by the kidneys. Therefore, elderly people may be at a greater risk for slowed heartbeat while using this drug. This drug should be used only if clearly needed during pregnancy. Newborns whose mothers have taken this drug near the date of delivery may have problems such as low blood pressure, low heart rate and low birth weight, and may require special medical monitoring. Discuss the risks and benefits of taking this medication during pregnancy with your doctor. This medication passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store at room temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, headache, and shortness of breath may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. Trouble sleeping, decreased sexual ability, stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, sore throat, cold hands and feet, dry eyes, tingling, numbness, and weakness may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. This drug may reduce blood flow to your hands and feet, causing them to feel cold. Smoking may worsen this effect. Avoid tobacco use and dress warmly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: slow/irregular heartbeat, back pain, mental/mood changes (e.g., depression, hallucinations), trouble breathing, swelling of the ankles/feet/legs, joint pain, easy bruising/bleeding, increased thirst/urination, vision changes, slow wound healing, sweating, confusion, fainting, stomach/abdominal pain, blue fingers/toes/nails, finger/toe/leg cramps, unexplained sudden weight gain. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

If you have chest pain (angina) or have heart disease (e.g., coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease, high blood pressure), do not stop using this drug without first consulting your doctor. Your condition may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. If your doctor decides you should no longer use this drug, you must gradually decrease your dose according to your doctor's instructions. When gradually stopping this medication, it is recommended that you temporarily limit physical activity to decrease the work on the heart. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop: worsening chest pain, tightness/pressure in the chest, chest pain spreading to the jaw/neck/arm, sweating, trouble breathing, or fast/irregular heartbeat.