Betagan

Betagan is a prescription medication used to reduce elevated pressure in the eyes of people with chronic open-angle glaucoma or high blood pressure of the eye. Betagan belongs to a group of drugs called beta-blockers. These work by decreasing the amount of fluid produced in the eyes, which reduces overall pressure within the eye.

Betagan comes in the form of an eye drop. It is usually instilled into the affected eye(s) once or twice daily. 

Common side effects include burning or stinging of the eye and inflammation of the eyelids and lining of the eyelids.

Betagan can also cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Betagan affects you.

Betagan is a prescription medication used to reduce elevated pressure in the eyes of people with chronic open-angle glaucoma or high blood pressure of the eye.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication
• your weight
• your height
• your age
• your gender

The recommended dose of Betagan for the treatment of elevated pressure in the eyes of people with chronic open-angle glaucoma or high blood pressure of the eye is one to two drops of Betagan 0.5% in the affected eye(s) once a day.

Typical dosing with Betagan 0.25% is one to two drops twice daily.

In people with more severe or uncontrolled glaucoma, Betagan 0.5% can be administered twice a day.  Dosages above one drop of Betagan are not generally more effective.

Serious side effects have been reported with Betagan including the following:

• severe respiratory reactions including bronchospasm in patients with asthma. Tell your physician right away if you experience difficulty breathing and stop taking Betagan.
• severe cardiac reactions including cardiac failure. Consult your physician and discontinue Betagan if you experience any of the following symptoms:
  • sudden difficulty breathing
  • sudden extreme fatigue
  • swelling of extremities
• low blood pressure during surgery. Your physician may recommend that you stop taking Betagan before a major surgery.
• masking of symptoms of low blood sugar. If you have diabetes and take insulin or other medications to control your blood sugar, consult with your physician about how to properly identify signs of low blood pressure while taking Betagan.
• masking of symptoms of hyperthyroidism. If you have hyperthyroidism, consult with you physician about how to properly identify symptoms of a thyroid emergency while taking Betagan.
• muscle weakness

Do not take Betagan if you have:

• bronchial asthma
• a history of bronchial asthma
• severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• sinus bradycardia
• second or third degree atrioventricular block
• heart failure
• hypersensitivity to any component of Betagan

Betagan can also cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Betagan affects you.

Serious side effects have been reported with Betagan. See the "Betagan Precautions" section.

Common side effects include:

• eye burning or stinging
• eye discomfort
• redness or itching of the eye
• swelling of the eyelid

This is not a complete list of Betagan side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• epinephrine
• reserpine
• calcium-channel blocking medications such as nifedipine, diltiazem, verapamil, or amlodipine
• digoxin
• chlorpromazine
• promethazine
• thioridazine
• prochlorperazine
• trifluoperazine
• perphenazine
• fluphenazine

This is not a complete list of Betagan drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Betagan falls into category C. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

It is not known if Betagan crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Betagan.