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|Betaxolol

Betaxolol

Betaxolol is used for:

Treating high blood pressure. It may be used alone or with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Betaxolol is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent. It works by slowing down the heart and reducing blood pressure, which helps it pump more efficiently and reduces the workload on the heart. It may also interfere with the action of adrenalin and other similar chemicals in the brain preventing migraine headaches.

Do NOT use Betaxolol if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Betaxolol
• you have a very slow heartbeat, heart block, uncontrolled heart failure, shock caused by heart failure, or have had a heart attack and have very low blood pressure
• you have asthma or Raynaud phenomenon
• you are a child with diabetes or heart failure
• you are currently taking mibefradil

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Betaxolol :

Some medical conditions may interact with Betaxolol . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine (eg, medicines to treat colds or congestion), herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances or are taking medicine for allergies
• if you have or have ever had an adrenal gland tumor; anaphylaxis; asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, or other lung disease; congestive heart failure; blood vessel problems; slow heartbeat; diabetes; kidney problems; low blood sugar; or overactive thyroid
• if you have Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
• if you are having surgery

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Betaxolol . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, flecainide, quinidine), antipsychotics (eg, chlorpromazine, haloperidol), bupivacaine, calcium channel blockers (eg, mibefradil, nifedipine, verapamil), catecholamine-depleting agents (eg reserpine), cimetidine, ketanserin, mefloquine, or thioamines (eg, tapazole) because potentially life-threatening heart-related side effects may occur, including very slow heart rate; abnormal heartbeat; lightheadedness, especially upon standing; difficulty breathing, especially when lying down; loss of function in the heart and lungs; and swelling of ankles
• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), clonidine, phenytoin, rifampin, or thyroid hormones (eg, levothyroxine) because they may decrease Betaxolol "s effectiveness
• Certain stimulants (adrenalin, pseudoephedrine), hydralazine, insulin, lidocaine, quinazolines (eg, doxazosin), rizatriptan, or theophylline because their actions and the risk of their side effects may be increased by Betaxolol

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Betaxolol may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Betaxolol :

Use Betaxolol as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Betaxolol by mouth with or without food.
• Do not take an antacid that has aluminum in it within 2 hours of Betaxolol .
• Betaxolol works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
• Continue to use Betaxolol even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Betaxolol , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Betaxolol .

Important safety information:

• Betaxolol may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Betaxolol with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Betaxolol may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Do not suddenly stop taking Betaxolol without first checking with your doctor.
• Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal". Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
• Betaxolol may mask the signs of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). If thyroid patients stop taking these medicines too suddenly, symptoms of hyperthyroidism (eg, a rapid pulse) may occur.
• Patients with a history of severe allergic reactions may be more sensitive to allergens while taking Betaxolol . These patients may not respond to the usual dose of epinephrine (adrenalin).
• Betaxolol may interfere with the glaucoma screening test.
• Diabetes patients - Betaxolol may hide signs of low blood sugar, such as a rapid heartbeat. Be sure to watch for other signs of low blood sugar. Low blood sugar may make you anxious, sweaty, weak, dizzy, drowsy, or faint. It may also make your vision change; give you a headache, chills, or tremors; or make you more hungry. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Betaxolol before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Lab tests may be performed while you use Betaxolol . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Betaxolol with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially slow heartbeat.
• Betaxolol should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Betaxolol while you are pregnant. Betaxolol is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Betaxolol , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

If you stop taking Betaxolol suddenly, you may have WITHDRAWAL symptoms. These may include worsening chest pain along with possible heart attack.

Possible side effects of Betaxolol :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; depression; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; fatigue; hallucinations; lightheadedness; nausea; sleeplessness; stomach cramps; tiredness; vision problems; vivid dreams; vomiting; weakness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); shortness of breath; slow or irregular heartbeat.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, especially when lying down; lightheadedness, especially upon standing; pale or blue skin; seizures (convulsions); shortness of breath; swelling of ankles; unconsciousness, possibly leading to lack of heartbeat or breathing; very slow heart rate; wheezing.

Store Betaxolol between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Betaxolol out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Betaxolol , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Betaxolol is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Betaxolol . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.