Source: Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) Revision Year: 2012 Publisher: Alcon Laboratories (UK) Ltd Pentagon Park Boundary Way HemelHempstead Herts. HP2 7UD
Like other topically applied ophthalmic agents, betaxolol is absorbed systemically. Due to the beta-adrenergic component, betaxolol, the same types of cardiovascular, pulmonary and other adverse reactions seen with systemic beta-adrenergic blocking agents may occur. Incidence of systemic ADRs after topical ophthalmic administration is lower than for systemic administration. To reduce the systemic absorption, see section 4.2.
Cardiac disorders: In patients with cardiovascular diseases (e.g. coronary heart disease, Prinzmetal’s angina and cardiac failure) and hypotension, therapy with beta-blockers should be critically assessed and the therapy with other active substances should be considered. Patients with cardiovascular diseases should be watched for signs of deterioration of these diseases and of adverse reactions.
Due to its negative effect on conduction time, beta-blockers should only be given with caution to patients with first degree heart block.
Vascular disorders: Patients with severe peripheral circulatory disturbance/disorders (i.e. severe forms of Raynaud’s disease or Raynaud’s syndrome) should be treated with caution.
Respiratory disorders: Respiratory reactions, including death due to bronchospasm in patients with asthma have been reported following administration of some ophthalmic beta-blockers.
Patients with mild/moderate bronchial asthma, a history of mild/moderate bronchial asthma or, mild/moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should be treated with caution.
Hypoglycaemia/Diabetes: Beta-blockers should be administered with caution in patients subject to spontaneous hypoglycaemia or to patients with labile diabetes, as beta-blockers may mask the signs and symptoms of acute hypoglycaemia. While Betoptic has demonstrated a low potential for systemic effects, it should be used with caution in patients suspected of developing thyrotoxicosis.
Beta-blockers may also mask the signs of hyperthyroidism.
Corneal diseases: In patients with angle-closure glaucoma, the immediate treatment objective is to re-open the angle by constriction of the pupil with a miotic agent, betaxolol has no effect on the pupil, therefore, Betoptic should be used with a miotic to reduce elevated intraocular pressure in angle-closure glaucoma.
Ophthalmic beta-blockers may induce dryness of eyes. Caution should be exercised in the use of beta-blocking agents in patients with corneal diseases, Sicca Syndrome or similar tear film abnormalities.
Other beta-blocking agents: The effect on intra-ocular pressure or the known effects of systemic beta-blockade may be potentiated when betaxolol is given to the patients already receiving a systemic beta-blocking agent. The response of these patients should be closely observed. The use of two topical beta-adrenergic blocking agents is not recommended (see section 4.5)
Anaphylactic reactions: While taking beta-blockers, patients with a history of atopy or a history of severe anaphylactic reaction to a variety of allergens may be more reactive to repeated challenge with such allergens and unresponsive to the usual dose of adrenaline used to treat anaphylactic reactions.
Choroidal detachment: Choroidal detachment has been reported with administration of aqueous suppressant therapy (e.g. timolol, acetazolamide) after filtration procedures.
Surgical anaesthesia: Beta-blocking ophthalmological preparations may block systemic beta-agonist effects e.g. of adrenaline. The anaesthesiologist should be informed when the patient is receiving betaxolol. Consideration should be given to the gradual withdrawal of beta-adrenergic blocking agents prior to general anaesthesia because of the reduced ability of the heart to respond to beta-adrenergically mediated sympathetic reflex stimuli.
This product contains benzalkonium chloride and is not recommended for use when soft contact lenses are being worn.
No specific drug interaction studies have been performed with betaxolol.
There is a potential for additive effects resulting in hypotension and/or marked bradycardia when ophthalmic beta-blockers solution is administered concomitantly with oral calcium channel blockers, beta-adrenergic blocking agents, anti-arrhythmics (including amiodarone), digitalis glycosides, parasympathomimetics, guanethidine and catecholamine-depleting drugs such as reserpine. Close observation of the patient is recommended.
Caution should be exercised in patients using concomitant adrenergic psychotropic drugs.
Mydriasis resulting from concomitant use of ophthalmic beta-blockers and adrenaline (epinephrine) has been reported occasionally.
There are no adequate data for the use of betaxolol in pregnant women. Betaxolol should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary. To reduce the systemic absorption, see section 4.2.
Epidemiological studies have not revealed malformative effects but show a risk for intra-uterine growth retardation when beta-blockers are administered by the oral route. In addition, signs and symptoms of beta-blockade (e.g. bradycardia, hypotension, respiratory distress and hypoglycaemia) have been observed in the neonate when beta-blockers have been administered until delivery. If BETOPTIC SOLUTION is administered until delivery, the neonate should be carefully monitored during the first days of life.
Beta-blockers are excreted in breast milk. However, at therapeutic doses of betaxolol in eye drops, it is not likely that sufficient amounts would be present in breast milk to produce clinical symptoms of beta-blockade in the infant. To reduce systemic absorption, see section 4.2.
No effects on ability to drive and use machines have been reported.
Like other topically applied ophthalmic drugs, betaxolol is absorbed into the systemic circulation. This may cause similar undesirable effects as seen with systemic beta-blocking agents. Incidence of systemic ADRs after topical ophthalmic administration is lower than for systemic administration. Listed adverse reactions include reactions seen within the class of ophthalmic beta-blockers
Additional adverse reactions have been seen with ophthalmic beta-blockers and may potentially occur with BETOPTIC SOLUTION:
Frequency unknown: Systemic allergic reactions including angioedema, urticaria, localized and generalized rash, pruritus, anaphylactic reaction.
Frequency unknown: Hypoglycaemia.
Rare: insomnia, depression
Frequency unknown: nightmares, memory loss, hallucinations, psychoses, confusion.
Rare: headache
Frequency unknown: Syncope, cerebrovascular accident, cerebral ischemia, increases in signs and symptoms of myasthenia gravis, dizziness, paraesthesia.
Common: discomfort
Uncommon: tearing
Rare: decreased corneal sensitivity, erythema, itching, corneal punctate staining, keratitis, anisocoria and photophobia.
Frequency unknown: Signs and symptoms of ocular irritation (e.g. burning, stinging, redness), blepharitis, blurred vision, and choroidal detachment following filtration surgery (see 4.4 Special warnings and special precautions for use), dry eyes, corneal erosion, ptosis, diplopia.
Rare: bradycardia
Frequency unknown: Chest pain, palpitations, oedema, arrhythmia, congestive heart failure, atrioventricular block, cardiac arrest, cardiac failure. A slowed AV-conduction or increase of an existing AV-block
Frequency unknown: Hypotension, Raynaud’s phenomenon, cold and cyanotic hands and feet, Increase of an existing intermittent claudication.
Rare: dyspnoea, asthma
Frequency unknown: Bronchospasm (predominantly in patients with pre-existing bronchospastic disease), cough.
Frequency unknown: Dysgeusia, nausea, dyspepsia, diarrhoea, dry mouth, abdominal pain, vomiting.
Rare: alopecia
Frequency unknown: Psoriasiform rash or exacerbation of psoriasis, skin rash.
Frequency unknown: Myalgia.
Frequency unknown: Sexual dysfunction, decreased libido, impotence.
Frequency unknown: Asthenia/fatigue.
An increase in Anti Nuclear Antibodies (ANA) has been seen; its clinical relevance is unclear.
None known.
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