Betoptic S Ophthalmic : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More

Why is this medication prescribed?
Betoptic S ophthalmic (Betaxolol ophthalmic) is used to treat glaucoma, a condition in which increased pressure in the eye can lead to gradual loss of vision. Betoptic S is in a class of medications called beta blockers. It works by lowering the pressure in the eye.

How should this medicine be used?
Betoptic S ophthalmic (Betaxolol ophthalmic) comes as a solution (liquid) and suspension (liquid) to instill into the eyes. Betoptic S ophthalmic is generally used twice a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any parts you don’t understand. Use Betoptic S exactly as directed. Do not use more or less or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Betoptic S eye drops control glaucoma but do not cure it. Keep using Betoptic S eye drops even if you feel fine. Do not stop using Betoptic S eye drops without consulting your doctor.

To instill the eye drops, follow these steps:

  1. Wash your hands well with soap and water.
  2. Check the label on your bottle to see if you need to shake the eye drops before using them. Shake the bottle well if the label says so.
  3. Check the dropper tip to make sure it is not chipped or cracked.
  4. Avoid touching the tip of the dropper against your eye or anything else; Eye drops and droppers must be kept clean.
  5. While tilting your head back, lower the lower lid of your eye with your index finger to form a pocket.
  6. Hold the dropper (tip down) with the other hand, as close to the eye as possible without touching it.
  7. Rest the remaining fingers of that hand against your face.
  8. See the instructions that come with your medicine for how to dispense your dose. You will need to gently squeeze the sides of the bottle or push the bottom of the bottle to dispense a drop of medicine into the pocket formed by the lower eyelid. Remove your index finger from the lower eyelid.
  9. Close your eye for 2 to 3 minutes and tilt your head down as if looking at the ground. Try not to blink or squeeze your eyelids.
  10. Place a finger over the tear duct and apply gentle pressure.
  11. Wipe any excess fluid from your face with a tissue.
  12. If you are using more than one drop in the same eye, wait at least 5 minutes before instilling the next drop.
  13. Replace and tighten the dropper bottle cap. Do not clean or rinse the dropper tip.
  14. Wash your hands to remove any medicine.

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

What special precautions should I follow?

Before using Betoptic S eye drops,

  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Betoptic S or any other medications.
  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially other eye medications; beta-blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol (Cartrol), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), sotalol (Betapace), or timolol (Blocadren); quinidine (Quinidex, Quinaglute Dura-Tabs); Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin); and vitamins.
  • Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had thyroid, heart, or lung disease, congestive heart failure, or diabetes.
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using Betoptic S, call your doctor immediately.
  • If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Betoptic S.
  • If you are using another topical eye medication, instill it at least 10 minutes before instilling Betoptic S.

What should I do if I forget a dose?
Instill 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 instill a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Betoptic S eye drops may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • eye irritation
  • eye tearing
  • headache
  • dizziness
  • insomnia

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

  • difficulty breathing
  • change in vision
  • eye pain

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

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Keep this medicine in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children, since many containers (such as those containing weekly pills and those for eye drops, creams, patches and inhalers) are not child-resistant and small children can easily open them. To protect young children from poisoning, always close the safety caps and immediately place the medicine in a safe place, one that is upright and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unnecessary medications must be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and others cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medicine down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medications is through a drug take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage / recycling department to find out about take-back programs in your community. Check out the FDA drug safe disposal website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

What other information should I know?
Keep all your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor will order certain eye tests to check your response to Betoptic S.

Don’t let anyone use your medicine. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important that you keep a written list of all prescription and over-the-counter (over-the-counter) medications you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should take this list with you every time you visit a doctor or if you go into hospital. It is also important information to take with you in case of emergencies.

Brand Names

  • Betoptic®
  • Betoptic® S

Disclaimer: DrLinex has made every effort to ensure that all information is factually accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a licensed health care professional’s choice of knowledge and expertise. You should always consult your doctor or other health care professional before taking any medication. The information given here is subject to change and it has not been used to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or adverse effects. The lack of warning or other information for any drug does not indicate that the combination of medicine or medication is safe, effective or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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