Betoptic 0.5% Eye drops 5 ml

Betoptic 0.5% Eye drops 5 ml

Composition:

Each 1 ml solution contains:

Betaxolol 5 mg/ml or 0.5% w/v (as the hydrochloride).

Inactive ingredients:

Sodium chloride, disodium edetate,  benzalkonium chloride, hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide (to adjust pH) and purified water.

Properties:

Betaxolol belongs to a group of medicines known as beta blockers. It works by reducing the fluid pressure in your eye(s).

Indications:

It is used to treat glaucoma or ocular hypertension (high pressure in the eye).

Directions for use:

-Betoptic®0.5% should only be used in the eye(s).

-The usual dose is 1 drop in the affected eye(s) twice daily.

-Always use Betoptic®0.5% exactly as your doctor has told you. 

-Do not touch your eye or eyelid,  surrounding areas or other surfaces with the dropper. It could infect the drops.

-Do not squeeze the bottle, only a gentle press on the bottom is needed.

-After using Betoptic®0.5% press a 

finger into the corner of your eye by the nose for 2 minutes. This helps to stop betaxolol getting into the rest of the body. 

-If you miss a dose, just take it as soon as possible. Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

-If you use more Betoptic®0.5% than you should, it can be washed out of your eye with warm water.

Side effects:

Very common: Eye discomfort (includes a feeling of something in the eye)

Common: Blurred vision, watery eyes, Headache

Uncommon: Inflammation of the eye surface, conjunctivitis or symptoms of  conjunctivitis, visual impairment, sensitivity to light, painful, dry or tired eyes, excessive blinking, irritated, red or swollen eyes, eye itchiness, eye discharge, weeping eyelids, bloodshot eyes, Slow heartbeat or unusually rapid heart beat, Asthma, difficulty breathing, blocked nose, nausea

Rare: Cataract formation, decreased sensitivity of the eye, inflammation of eyelid, Anxiety, difficulty sleeping (insomnia), depression, Fainting, Low blood pressure, Cough, runny nose, Taste disturbances, Inflamed, itchy skin or rash, hair loss, Libido decreased

Contraindications:

Hypersensitivity to betaxolol, beta-blockers or any of the excipients.

History of respiratory problems such as severe asthma, severe chronic obstructive  bronchitis.

Slow heartbeat, heart failure or disorders of heart rhythm (irregular heartbeats).

Warnings and precautions:

• Before you use this medicine, tell your doctor if you have now or have had in the past coronary heart disease, heart failure, hypotension, bradycardia, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Raynaud’s disease, diabetes,  myasthenia gravis, angle-closure glaucoma, dry eyes (Sicca Syndrome).
• Tell your doctor before you have an operation that you are using Betoptic®, as betaxolol may change the effects of some medicines used during anesthesia.
• Betoptic®0.5% can affect or be affected by other medicines you are using, including other eye drops for the treatment of glaucoma. 
• Tell your doctor if you are using or intend to use medicines to lower blood pressure, heart medicine, medicines to treat diabetes or medicines to treat emotional, behavioral or mental disorders such as  anxiety or depression.

• Betoptic®0.5% may reduce the effectiveness of adrenaline, which may be used to treat serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). Tell your doctor if you have a history of anaphylaxis or allergic  reactions.

• If you are using more than one type of eye drop, wait 5 minutes between using each one. Eye ointments should be administered last.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding:

Do not use Betoptic®0.5% if you are pregnant unless your doctor considers it necessary.

• Do not use Betoptic®0.5% if you are breastfeeding. Betaxolol may get into your breast milk.
• Driving and using machines:

If your sight is affected in any way following the use of Betoptic®0.5%, you should not drive or operate machinery.

• Do not use the drops while wearing contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after use before putting your lenses back in. There is a preservative in Betoptic®0.5% (benzalkonium chloride) that can discolor soft contact lenses.
• Do not pass this medicine onto others. It may harm them even if their symptoms are the same as yours.

Storage: 

Store at a temperature not exceeding 25ºC

Stop using the bottle 4 weeks after first opening, to prevent infections.

Package: 

Carton box holds a 5ml plastic bottle and an insert leaflet.