Drug Name

Betagan 0.5% Drops

Drug Uses

Betagan Drops are used for lowering eye pressure and treating glaucoma. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

How to use

Use Betagan Drops as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions..

Betagan Drops contains benzalkonium chloride, a preservative that may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Contact lenses should be removed before using Betagan Drops. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how long you should wait before putting your contacts back in after you use Betagan Drops.

To use Betagan Drops, wash your hands. Tilt your head back. Using your index finger, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Drop the medicine into the pouch and gently close your eyes. Immediately use your finger to apply pressure to the inside corner of the eye (unless you recently had eye surgery) and continue to apply pressure for 1 or 2 minutes after using the medicine. Do not blink. Keep your eyes closed for 1 or 2 minutes. Remove excess medicine around your eye with a clean tissue, being careful not to touch your eye. Wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.

To prevent germs from entering your medicine, do not touch the dropper tip to any surface, including your eye. Keep the container tightly closed.

Continue to use Betagan Drops even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.

If you miss a dose of Betagan Drops, use 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 use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Betagan Drops.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Betagan Drops are an ophthalmic beta-blocker. It is unknown exactly how Betagan Drops works to reduce the fluid pressure inside the eye, but it appears to reduce the amount of liquid produced.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Storage

Store this medicine at room temperature in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and light.

Warnings/Precautions

Do NOT use Betagan Drops if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Betagan Drops
• you have severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure, complete or second-degree heart block, heart shock, a resting heart rate less than 60 beats/minute, or a heart rate less than 45 beats/minute after a heart attack
• you have a history of asthma

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Betagan Drops:
Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have had an allergic reaction to other beta-blockers (eg, propranolol)
• if you have bronchitis, breathing or lung problems, COPD, diabetes, first-degree heart block, overactive thyroid, low blood sugar levels, blood flow or blood vessel problems, or a history of heart failure

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Betagan Drops. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any of the following medicines.

• Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), bupivacaine, calcium channel blockers (eg, diltiazem), catecholamine-depleting agents (eg, reserpine), digoxin, disopyramide, flecainide, insulin, ketanserin, phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), quinazolines (eg, alfuzosin), or verapamil because their actions and side effects may be increased by Betagan Drops
• Clonidine because when given with Betagan Drops, if it is suddenly stopped, it may cause rebound high blood pressure

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Betagan Drops may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Possible Side Effects

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Blurred vision; brow ache; increased tearing; sensitivity to light; temporary burning or stinging.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); changes in heart rate; chest pain; eye or eyelid swelling; headache; muscle weakness; one-sided weakness; shortness of breath; slow or irregular heartbeat; slurred speech; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; vision changes.

More Information

If you have any questions about Betagan Drops, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Betagan Drops are to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.