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In the U.S.—

Betaxon

Another commonly used name is L-betaxolol

• Antiglaucoma agent, ophthalmic
• Antihypertensive, ocular

Levobetaxolol (lee-voh-be-TAKS-oh-lol ) is used to treat glaucoma and other conditions of the eye in which the pressure in the eye is too high (ocular hypertension).

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:

Ophthalmic
• Ophthalmic suspension (eye drops) (U.S.)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For levobetaxolol, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to levobetaxolol or any other beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Levobetaxolol has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that levobetaxolol causes birth defects and fertility problems. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether levobetaxolol passes into human breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be safely used while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children—Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients. There is no specific information comparing use of levobetaxolol in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults—This medicine has been tested and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines— Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking levobetaxolol, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agents, systemic (acebutolol [e.g., Sectral], atenolol [e.g.,Tenormin], Betaxolol [e.g., Kerlone], Bisoprolol [e.g., Zebeta], Carteolol [e.g., Cartrol], Labetalol [e.g., Trandate], metoprolol [e.g., Lopressor], nadolol [e.g., Corgard], oxprenolol [e.g., Transicor], penbutolol [e.g., Levatol], pindolol [e.g.,Visken], propranolol [e.g., Inderal], sotalol [e.g., Betapace], or timolol [e.g., Blocadren]) or
• Reserpine (e.g., Serpalan)—Use of these medicines with levobetaxolol may increase the chance of side effects

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of levobetaxolol. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Allergic reactions, severe (history of)—Levobetaxolol may reduce the effectiveness of the medicine (epinephrine) used to treat severe allergic reactions

• Asthma or other lung disease—Severe breathing problems may occur

• Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) or
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)—Levobetaxolol may cover up some of the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar

• Glaucoma, angle-closure—In patients with this type of glaucoma, levobetaxolol must be used with another type of medicine because it does not work well alone

• Heart block (history of) or
• Heart failure (history of)—Levobetaxolol may have a negative effect on heart rate and blood pressure

• Heart disease, severe—Levobetaxolol should not be used in patients with this condition

• Myasthenic conditions—Levobetaxolol may make muscle weakness worse

• Surgery, major—Levobetaxolol may lessen the heart's ability to tolerate the effects of the anesthetic (medicine to cause loss of feeling before and during surgery)

• Thyrotoxicosis (overactive thyroid)—Levobetaxolol may cover up some of the signs and symptoms of an overactive thyroid

If you wear contact lenses, make sure you take them out before using this medicine.

Shake the medicine well before using it.

To use:

• First, wash your hands. With the middle finger, apply pressure to the inside corner of the eye (and continue to apply pressure for 1 or 2 minutes after the medicine has been placed in the eye).Tilt the head back and with the index finger of the same hand, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Drop the medicine into the pouch and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to be absorbed.
• Immediately after using the eye drops, wash you hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the dropper to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed.

Dosing—

The dose of ophthalmic levobetaxolol may be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of levobetaxolol. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For ophthalmic dosage form (suspension):
  • For open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension
    • Adults—Use one drop in each affected eye two times a day
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

• Keep the bottle in an upright position.
• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Protect from light.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your health care professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits, to make sure that this medicine is working and to check for unwanted effects.

Before you have any kind of surgery, dental treatment, or emergency treatment, tell the medical doctor or dentist in charge that you are using this medicine. Using levobetaxolol during this time may cause an increased risk of side effects.

This medicine may cause blurred vision. It also may cause some people to become dizzy or lightheaded. Make sure that you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert or able to see well.

For patients with diabetes:

• Levobetaxolol may cover up some of the signs of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). If you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests or if you have any questions, check with your doctor.

Side Effects of This Medicine

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:

• Less common
  • Difficult breathing, labored breathing, tightness in chest, wheezing, or shortness of breath;  fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat;  slow or irregular heartbeat  
  
  

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Less common
  • Accidental injury;  ankle, knee, or great toe pain;  ankle, knee, or great toe swelling ;  bloody or cloudy urine;  blurred or decreased vision;  breast pain;  confusion, faintness, or lightheadedness;  cough, mucus-producing;  difficult, burning, or painful urination;  dizziness;  dry, puffy skin;  earache, buzzing, or ringing in ears ;  fatigue with or without increased hunger, increased thirst, or increased urination;  feeling of constant movement;  fever or chills;  headache with pounding in ears;  loss of appetite ;  lower back or side pain;  muscle stiffness or tightness;  pain or tenderness around eyes or cheekbones;  red, scaling, or crusted skin;  runny or stuffy nose;  weight gain 
  
  

Other 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. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome.

• More common
  • Eye pain and discomfort (when the medicine is applied) 
  
  

• Less common
  • Acid or sour stomach, with belching;  change in taste;  constipation;  cough;  difficulty in swallowing;  dry skin;  dryness or soreness of throat;  ear pain;  feeling very anxious or nervous ;  headache;  heartburn and indigestion;  hoarseness;  pain, redness, warmth, or swelling of muscles;  pain, swelling , redness, or stiffness of joints;  thinning or loss of hair 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Developed: 05/11/2000