Betagan Eye Drops General Information
Betagan Eye Drops is used alone or with other medications to treat high pressure inside the eye due to glaucoma (open-angle type) or other eye diseases (e.g., ocular hypertension). Lowering high pressure inside the eye helps to prevent blindness. Levobunolol belongs to a class of drugs known as beta blockers and works by decreasing the amount of fluid production within the eye.
How to Use Betagan Eye Drops
To apply eye drops, wash your hands first. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface.
If you are wearing contact lenses, remove them before using eye drops. Wait at least 15 minutes before replacing your contact lenses.
Tilt your head back, look upward, and pull down the lower eyelid to make a pouch. Hold the dropper directly over your eye and place one drop into the pouch, usually once or twice daily or as directed by your doctor. Look downward and gently close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Place one finger at the corner of your eye (near the nose) and apply gentle pressure. This will prevent the medication from draining out. Try not to blink and do not rub your eye. Repeat these steps for your other eye if so directed or if your dose is for more than 1 drop.
Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap after each use.
If you are using another kind of eye medication (e.g., drops or ointments), wait at least 5 to 10 minutes before using the other medications. Use eye drops before eye ointments to allow the eye drops to enter the eye.
Use Betagan Eye Drops regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time(s) each day. It is important to continue using Betagan Eye Drops even if you feel well. Most people with glaucoma or high pressure in the eyes do not feel sick.
Betagan Eye Drops Possible Side Effects
Temporary burning/stinging of the eye, itchy/red eyes, headache, or dizziness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Betagan Eye Drops because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Betagan Eye Drops do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: eye pain/swelling/discharge, reduced feeling in eye, slow/irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, hair loss, mental/mood changes, vision changes, tiredness, swelling of the ankles/feet, sudden/unexplained weight gain.
Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: trouble breathing, chest pain, weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, confusion.
A very serious allergic reaction to Betagan Eye Drops is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
Betagan Eye Drops Precautions
Before using levobunolol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other beta-blockers (e.g., timolol, metipranolol); or if you have any other allergies. Betagan Eye Drops may contain inactive ingredients (such as preservatives like benzalkonium chloride, sulfites), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Betagan Eye Drops should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using Betagan Eye Drops, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: severe breathing problems (e.g., asthma or a history of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD), certain types of heart rhythm problems (e.g., sinus bradycardia, second- or third-degree atrioventricular block), certain serious heart conditions (e.g., cardiogenic shock, severe heart failure).
Before using Betagan Eye Drops, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: lung disease (e.g., bronchitis, emphysema), diabetes, heart failure (treated, stable type), blood circulation problems (e.g., cerebrovascular insufficiency), overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), muscle weakness disorders (e.g., myasthenia gravis).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using Betagan Eye Drops.
Betagan Eye Drops may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.
If you have diabetes, Betagan Eye Drops may mask the fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually feel when your blood sugar level falls too low (hypoglycemia). Other symptoms of a low blood sugar level, such as dizziness/sweating, are unaffected by Betagan Eye Drops.
During pregnancy, Betagan Eye Drops should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
It is not known if Betagan Eye Drops passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Betagan Eye Drops Possible Intercations
Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
Before using Betagan Eye Drops, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: digoxin, drugs for high blood pressure (e.g., clonidine, reserpine, oral beta blockers such as propranolol, calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem), epinephrine, fingolimod, phenothiazines (e.g., prochlorperazine).
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using Betagan Eye Drops, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.