Betaxolol Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 7, 2023.

Applies to betaxolol: oral tablet.

Serious side effects of Betaxolol

Along with its needed effects, betaxolol may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking betaxolol:

More common

Chest pain or discomfort
lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
shortness of breath
slow or irregular heartbeat
unusual tiredness

Less common

Cold arms, legs, hands, or feet
difficult or labored breathing
fast, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
swelling of face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
tightness in the chest
wheezing

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking betaxolol:

Symptoms of overdose

Anxiety
blurred vision
chills
cold sweats
coma
confusion
convulsions (seizures)
cool, pale skin
decreased urine output
depression
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
extreme fatigue
headache
increased hunger
irregular breathing
loss of consciousness
nervousness
nightmares
noisy breathing
shakiness
slurred speech
sweating
troubled breathing
weight gain
unusual tiredness or weakness

Other side effects of Betaxolol

Some side effects of betaxolol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Joint pain
nausea

Less common

Acid or sour stomach
belching
body aches or pain
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
congestion
decreased interest in sexual intercourse
diarrhea
difficulty in moving
dryness or soreness of throat
fever
heartburn
hoarseness
inability to have or keep an erection
indigestion
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
muscle pain or stiffness
rash
runny nose
sleeplessness
sneezing
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
stuffy nose
tender, swollen glands in neck
trouble in swallowing
trouble sleeping
unable to sleep
unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness
unusual or strange dreams
voice changes

Rare

Discouragement
feeling sad or empty
irritability
lack of appetite
loss of interest or pleasure
tiredness
trouble concentrating

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to betaxolol: oral tablet.

General

The more commonly reported side effects include bradycardia, fatigue, lethargy, and headache.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain, bradycardia, edema, palpitations, cold extremities

Frequency not reported: Angina pectoris, arrhythmia, atrioventricular (AV) block, heart failure, hypertension, hypotension, myocardial infarction, thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, peripheral ischemia, intermittent claudication^[Ref]

Bradycardia occurred as a dose-related effect in clinical trials. In clinical trials, bradycardia occurred in 8.1% of patients given this drug compared to 12% of patients given equivalent doses of atenolol. Symptomatic bradycardia occurred in 0.8% of patients taking this drug versus 1.4% of patients treated with equivalent doses of propranolol.

Angina pectoris, arrhythmia, AV block, heart failure, hypertension, hypotension, myocardial infarction, thrombosis, syncope, cerebrovascular disorder, intermittent claudication, peripheral ischemia, and thrombophlebitis occurred in less than 2% of patients treated with this drug in open and controlled long-term clinical studies or in marketing experience.^[Ref]

Respiratory

Bronchitis, bronchospasm, cough, epistaxis, pneumonia, and sinusitis occurred in less than 2% of patients treated with this drug in open and controlled long-term clinical studies or in marketing experience.^[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea, pharyngitis, rhinitis, upper respiratory infection

Frequency not reported: Bronchitis, bronchospasm, cough, epistaxis, pneumonia, sinusitis^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Twitching, arthropathy, neck pain, muscle cramps, tendonitis, and leg cramps occurred in less than 2% of patients treated with this drug in open and controlled long-term clinical studies or in marketing experience.^[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Joint pain, myalgia, arthralgia

Frequency not reported: Twitching, arthropathy, neck pain, muscle cramps, tendonitis, leg cramps^[Ref]

Nervous system

Ataxia, neuralgia, neuropathy, numbness, speech disorder, stupor, tremor, syncope, amnesia, impaired concentration, taste loss, cerebrovascular disorder, and abnormal taste occurred in less than 2% of patients treated with this drug in open and controlled long-term clinical studies or in marketing experience.^[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness, paresthesia, lethargy

Frequency not reported: Ataxia, neuralgia, neuropathy, numbness, speech disorder, stupor, tremor, syncope, amnesia, impaired concentration, taste loss, cerebrovascular disorder, abnormal taste^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, dyspepsia, diarrhea

Frequency not reported: Salivation, mouth ulceration, rectal disorders, vomiting, dysphagia, constipation, dry mouth^[Ref]

Salivation, mouth ulceration, dry mouth, rectal disorders, vomiting, dysphagia, and constipation occurred in less than 2% of patients treated with this drug in open and controlled long-term clinical studies or in marketing experience.^[Ref]

Hematologic

Anemia, leukocytosis, lymphadenopathy, and thrombocytopenia occurred in less than 2% of patients treated with this drug in open and controlled long-term clinical studies or in marketing experience.^[Ref]

Frequency not reported: Anemia, leukocytosis, lymphadenopathy, thrombocytopenia^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Impotence

Frequency not reported: Menstrual disorder, Peyronie's disease, prostatitis, proteinuria, micturition disorder, dysuria^[Ref]

Menstrual disorder, Peyronie's disease, prostatitis, proteinuria, dysuria, and micturition disorder occurred in less than 2% of patients treated with this drug in open and controlled long-term clinical studies or in marketing experience.^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Flushing, sweating, purpura, pruritus, skin disorders, hypertrichosis, erythematous rash, eczema, and alopecia occurred in less than 2% of patients treated with this drug in open and controlled long-term clinical studies or in marketing experience.^[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Rash

Frequency not reported: Flushing, sweating, purpura, skin disorders, hypertrichosis, erythematous rash, eczema, alopecia, pruritus^[Ref]

Immunologic

In clinical trials, ANA conversion occurred in 5.3%, 6.3%, 4.9%, and 3.2% of patients taking this drug, atenolol, propranolol, and placebo, respectively.

Flu occurred in less than 2% of patients treated with this drug in open and controlled long-term clinical studies or in marketing experience^[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Antinuclear antibody (ANA) development

Frequency not reported: Flu^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nervousness, bizarre dreams, depression, insomnia

Frequency not reported: Abnormal thinking, confusion, emotional lability, hallucinations, decreased libido^[Ref]

Abnormal thinking, confusion, emotional lability, hallucinations, and decreased libido occurred in less than 2% of patients treated with this drug in open and controlled long-term clinical studies or in marketing experience.^[Ref]

Metabolic

Anorexia, increased appetite, acidosis, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, hyperkalemia, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia, hypokalemia, weight gain, weight loss, increased LDH, diabetes occurred in less than 2% of patients treated with this drug in open and controlled long-term clinical studies or in marketing experience.^[Ref]

Frequency not reported: Anorexia, increased appetite, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, hyperkalemia, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia, hypokalemia, weight gain, weight loss, increased LDH, acidosis, diabetes^[Ref]

Ocular

Scotoma, ocular hemorrhage, iritis, dry eyes, conjunctivitis, cataract, blepharitis, abnormal lacrimation, and abnormal vision occurred in less than 2% of patients treated with this drug in open and controlled long-term clinical studies or in marketing experience.^[Ref]

Frequency not reported: Scotoma, ocular hemorrhage, iritis, dry eyes, conjunctivitis, cataract, blepharitis, abnormal lacrimation, abnormal vision^[Ref]

Other

Frequency not reported: Fever, malaise, pain, rigors, asthenia, fatigue, earache, labyrinth disorders, deafness, thirst, breast pain, tinnitus^[Ref]

Fever, malaise, pain, rigors, earache, labyrinth disorders, deafness, thirst, breast pain, and tinnitus occurred in less than 2% of patients treated with this drug in open and controlled long-term clinical studies or in marketing experience.^[Ref]

Renal

Frequency not reported: Renal pain, oliguria, cystitis, abnormal renal function^[Ref]

Renal pain, oliguria, cystitis, and abnormal renal function occurred in less than 2% of patients treated with this drug in open and controlled long-term clinical studies or in marketing experience.^[Ref]

Hepatic

Frequency not reported: Increased liver transaminases^[Ref]

Increased liver transaminases occurred in less than 2% of patients treated with this drug in open and controlled long-term clinical studies or in marketing experience.^[Ref]

Oncologic

Frequency not reported: Breast fibroadenosis^[Ref]

Breast fibroadenosis occurred in less than 2% of patients treated with this drug in open and controlled long-term clinical studies or in marketing experience.^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Allergy occurred in less than 2% of patients treated with this drug in open and controlled long-term clinical studies or in marketing experience.^[Ref]

Frequency not reported: Allergy^[Ref]