Betaxolol

Betaxolol is used alone or with other medications to control high blood pressure. Betaxolol is in a class of medications called beta blockers. It works by relaxing blood vessels and slowing heart rate to improve blood flow and decrease blood pressure.

High blood pressure is a common condition and when not treated, can cause damage to the brain, heart, blood vessels, kidneys and other parts of the body. Damage to these organs may cause heart disease, a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, loss of vision, and other problems. In addition to taking medication, making lifestyle changes will also help to control your blood pressure. These changes include eating a diet that is low in fat and salt, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising at least 30 minutes most days, not smoking, and using alcohol in moderation.

🔔 How should this medicine be used?

Betaxolol comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day. Take betaxolol at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take betaxolol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of betaxolol and may increase your dose after 1–2 weeks if your blood pressure is not controlled.

Betaxolol controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. It may take 1–2 weeks or longer before the full benefit of betaxolol is noted. Continue to take betaxolol even if you feel well. Do not stop taking betaxolol without talking to your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking betaxolol, you may experience serious heart problems such as angina (chest pain), heart attack, or an irregular heartbeat. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually over about 2 weeks and will monitor you carefully during this time. Your doctor may also tell you to limit physical activity while your dose is being decreased.

🔔 Other uses for this medicine

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

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🔔 What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking betaxolol,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to betaxolol, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in betaxolol tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while taking betaxolol. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have heart failure or a slow or irregular heart rate. Your doctor may tell you not to take betaxolol.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma or other lung disease; diabetes; psoriasis (a skin condition); hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland); pheochromocytoma (tumor on a small gland near the kidneys); or kidney, liver, or heart disease. Also tell your doctor if you have ever had a serious allergic reaction to a food or any other substance.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking betaxolol, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental or eye surgery, tell your doctor, dentist, or eye doctor that you are taking betaxolol.
• you should know that betaxolol may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
• you should know that betaxolol may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and prevent the warning signs and symptoms that would tell you that your blood sugar is low. Let your doctor know if you are unable to eat or drink normally or are vomiting while you are taking betaxolol. You should know the symptoms of low blood sugar and what to do if you have these symptoms.
• you should know that if you have allergic reactions to different substances, your reactions may be worse while you are taking betaxolol, and your allergic reactions may not respond to the usual doses of injectable epinephrine.

🔔 What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.