Betagan

Generic name: Levobunolol Ophthalmic
Drug class: Ophthalmic glaucoma agents

Usage of Betagan

Betagan (for the eyes) is a beta-blocker that is used to treat open-angle glaucoma and other causes of high pressure inside the eye.

Betagan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Betagan side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Betagan may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

severe swelling, itching, burning, redness, pain, or discomfort in or around your eye;

bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing);

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

slow heart rate, weak pulse; or

numbness, cold feeling, or pale appearance of your fingers or toes.

Common side effects of Betagan may include:

mild burning, stinging, or eye discomfort;

feeling like something is in your eye;

blurred vision;

dizziness, weakness;

headache; or

rash or itching.

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.

Before taking Betagan

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to levobunolol, or if you have:

asthma, or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);

slow heartbeats; or

a heart condition called "AV block."

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

breathing problems such as bronchitis or emphysema;

heart problems;

peripheral vascular disease such as Raynaud's syndrome;

diabetes;

a thyroid disorder; or

a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

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How to use Betagan

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Do not use while wearing soft contact lenses. A preservative in Betagan could permanently stain the lenses. Use the medicine at least 15 minutes before inserting your contact lenses.

Wash your hands before using eye medication.

To apply the eye drops: Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the dropper above the eye and squeeze a drop into this pocket. Close your eyes for 1 or 2 minutes.

Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed.

Do not touch the tip of the eye dropper or place it directly on your eye. A contaminated dropper can infect your eye, which could lead to serious vision problems.

Store at room temperature away from heat and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any eye injury or infection. If you have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Betagan. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Warnings

You should not use Betagan if you have asthma, severe COPD, slow heartbeats, or a heart condition called "AV block."

What other drugs will affect Betagan

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially heart or blood pressure medications.

Other drugs may affect Betagan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.