Betaxolol

Betaxolol is used alone or with other medications to control high blood pressure. Betaxolol is in a class of medications called beta blockers. It works by relaxing blood vessels and slowing heart rate to improve blood flow and decrease blood pressure.

High blood pressure is a common condition and when not treated, can cause damage to the brain, heart, blood vessels, kidneys and other parts of the body. Damage to these organs may cause heart disease, a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, loss of vision, and other problems. In addition to taking medication, making lifestyle changes will also help to control your blood pressure. These changes include eating a diet that is low in fat and salt, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising at least 30 minutes most days, not smoking, and using alcohol in moderation.

Betaxolol comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day. Take betaxolol at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take betaxolol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor will probably start you on an average dose of betaxolol and may increase your dose after 7-14 days if your blood pressure is not controlled.

Betaxolol controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. It may take 1-2 weeks or longer before the full benefit of betaxolol is noted. Continue to take betaxolol even if you feel well. Do not stop taking betaxolol without talking to your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking betaxolol, your blood pressure may increases and you may develop new or worsening chest pain. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually over about 2 weeks and will monitor you carefully during this time. Your doctor may also tell you to limit physical activity while your dose is being decreased.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before taking betaxolol,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to betaxolol, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in betaxolol tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.

• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone); beta blocker eye drops such as betaxolol (Betoptic), carteolol (Ocupress), levobunolol (Akbeta, Betagan), metipranolol (Optipranolol), and timolol (Betimol, Timoptic, in Cosopt); calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac, others), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), and verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Tarka, others); clonidine (Catapres, Kapvay, in Clorpres); digoxin ( Lanoxin); disopyramide (Norpace); epinephrine (Epipen); and reserpine. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

• tell your doctor if you have heart failure or any other heart problems. Your doctor may tell you not to take betaxolol if you have heart failure or other heart problems.

• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had angina (chest pain); asthma or other lung disease; diabetes; psoriasis (a skin condition); pheochromocytoma (tumor on a small gland near the kidneys); severe allergies;or kidney, liver, or thyroid disease.

• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking betaxolol, call your doctor.

• tell any doctor, dentist, or eye doctor who will be treating you that you are taking betaxolol. This is especially important if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.

• you should know that betaxolol may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

• Betaxolol may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • extreme tiredness

  • difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

  • unusual dreams

  • heartburn

  • nausea

  • diarrhea

  • joint pain

  • decreased sexual ability in men

  • cold hands and feet

  • numbness, burning, or tingling in the arms, legs, hands, or feet

  • rash

• Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

  • difficulty breathing, especially during activity or when lying down

  • swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

  • unexplained weight gain

  • fast, slow, pounding, or irregular heartbeat

  • chest pain

• Betaxolol may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

• If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• difficulty breathing, especially during activity or when lying down

• swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

• unexplained weight gain

• chest pain

• fast, pounding, slow, or irregular heartbeat

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Before you are tested for glaucoma (increased pressure in your eyes that may lead to vision loss), tell your doctor and the technician that you are taking betaxolol.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.