Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: BETAXOLOL (be-TAX-oh-lol)
This medicine is a beta blocker used to treat high blood pressure. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
WARNING: If you have angina or heart problems, DO NOT suddenly stop taking this medicine without first consulting your doctor. Serious side effects such as severe chest pain, heart attack, very fast heart rate, and irregular heart rhythm may occur if this medicine is suddenly stopped. If your doctor decides you should no longer take this medicine, the dosage should be gradually reduced according to your doctor's instructions. You should be closely watched by your doctor and limit physical activity to a minimum, particularly if you have certain kinds of heart disease. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are also taking mibefradil. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, flecainide, quinidine), antipsychotics (eg, chlorpromazine, haloperidol), bupivacaine, calcium channel blockers (eg, mibefradil, nifedipine, verapamil), digoxin, catecholamine-depleting agents (eg, reserpine), cimetidine, ketanserin, mefloquine, thioamines (eg, tapazole), barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), clonidine, phenytoin, rifampin, thyroid hormones (eg, levothyroxine), certain stimulants(eg, adrenalin, pseudoephedrine), hydralazine, insulin, lidocaine, quinazolines (eg, doxazosin), rizatriptan, or theophylline. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including 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; overactive thyroid, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome; allergies; pregnancy; or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had an adrenal gland tumor or if you will be having surgery. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a very slow heartbeat, heart block, uncontrolled heart failure, shock caused by heart failure, history of heart attack, very low blood pressure, asthma, Raynaud phenomenon or if you are a child with diabetes or heart failure. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for taking this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. DO NOT TAKE ANTACIDS containing aluminum within 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking this medicine. STORE THIS MEDICINE between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C) away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Take this medicine regularly to receive the most benefit from it. Taking this medicine at the same time each day will help you to remember. WHEN YOU FIRST START TAKING THIS MEDICINE, you may feel tired or run down for a few weeks. CONTINUE TO USE THIS MEDICINE even if you may not feel "normal". Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, 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.
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or if you are allergic to any ingredient in this product. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE without checking with your doctor. DO NOT STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE without first checking with your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the medicine is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be slowly lowered to avoid side effects. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including blood pressure, may be performed while you use this medicine to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are taking this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY AFFECT CERTAIN LAB TEST RESULTS including the glaucoma screening test. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. This medicine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. This medicine may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. Alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever can increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Also, sit or lie down at the first sign of dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness. PATIENTS WITH A HISTORY OF SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTIONS may be more sensitive to allergens while taking this medicine. These patients may not respond to the usual dose of epinephrine (adrenalin). BEFORE HAVING ANY ALLERGY TESTS OR SHOTS, tell your doctor that you are using this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY MASK THE SIGNS OF HYPERTHYROIDISM (overactive thyroid). If thyroid patients stop taking this medicine too suddenly, symptoms of hyperthyroidism (eg, a rapid pulse) may occur. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes medicines used to treat colds or congestion. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN THE ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine, especially slow heartbeat. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are taking this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby. IF YOU HAVE DIABETES, this medicine may hide the signs of low blood sugar, such as a rapid heartbeat. Other signs of low blood sugar include headache, chills, sweating, tremor, increased hunger, changes in vision, anxiety, weakness, dizziness, drowsiness, or fainting. Check your blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include constipation, depression, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, hallucinations, lightheadedness, nausea, sleeplessness, stomach cramps, tiredness, vision problems, vivid dreams, vomiting, or weakness. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience shortness of breath, or slow or irregular heartbeat. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
IF OVERDOSE IS SUSPECTED, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose 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.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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