Betagan Side Effects

Generic name: levobunolol ophthalmic

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 27, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Betagan.

Applies to levobunolol ophthalmic: ophthalmic solution Side Effects associated with levobunolol ophthalmic. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Betagan.

Applies to levobunolol ophthalmic: ophthalmic solution.

Precautions

It is very important that your eye doctor (ophthalmologist) check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

Do not use this medicine if you are also using a beta-blocker medicine that is taken by the mouth.

If itching, redness, swelling, or other signs of eye or eyelid irritation occur, check with your doctor right away. This may mean that you are allergic to this medicine.

Levobunolol may cause heart failure in some patients. Check with your doctor right away if you are having chest pain or discomfort, dilated neck veins, extreme fatigue, irregular breathing, an irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, or weight gain.

This medicine may cause changes in your blood sugar levels. It may also cover up signs of low blood sugar, such as a rapid pulse rate. Check with your doctor if you have these problems or if you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests.

This medicine may cause choroidal detachment (bleeding inside the eye). Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of Betagan

Along with its needed effects, levobunolol ophthalmic (the active ingredient contained in Betagan) 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 levobunolol ophthalmic:

Other side effects of Betagan

Some side effects of levobunolol ophthalmic 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:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to levobunolol ophthalmic: ophthalmic solution.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported side effects were ocular burning/stinging, blepharoconjunctivitis, eye irritation, and eye pain.^[Ref]

Ocular

• Very common (10% or more): Eye irritation, eye pain
• Common (1% to 10%): Blepharitis, conjunctivitis
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Iridocyclitis
• Frequency not reported: Conjunctival/ocular hyperemia, allergic conjunctivitis, decreased corneal reflex, keratitis, blurred vision, punctate keratitis, eye/eyelids pruritus, eye/eyelid edema, eye discharge, increased lacrimation, dry eye, choroidal detachment following filtration surgery, corneal erosion, diplopia, ptosis, corneal calcification, decreased corneal sensitivity, blepharoptosis, eye allergy, foreign body sensation^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Frequency not reported: Asthma, dyspnea, throat irritation, nasal discomfort, bronchospasm (predominantly in patients with pre-existing bronchospastic disease), cough, respiratory failure, nasal congestion^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Frequency not reported: Raynaud's phenomenon, syncope, bradycardia, atrioventricular block, palpitations, hypotension, arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, cardiac failure, chest pain, congestive heart failure, cold hands and feet^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic reaction, systemic allergic reactions including angioedema^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Transient ataxia
• Frequency not reported: Confusion, dizziness, somnolence, lethargy, headache, memory loss, cerebral ischemia, cerebrovascular accident, increases in signs and symptoms of myasthenia gravis, paresthesia, dysgeusia^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Frequency not reported: Nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dry mouth, dyspepsia, vomiting^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Frequency not reported: Decreased libido, sexual dysfunction, impotence^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Frequency not reported: Myalgia^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Depression, insomnia, nightmares^[Ref]

Other

• Frequency not reported: Edema, fatigue, asthenia^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, urticaria, contact dermatitis (including allergic contact dermatitis), rash, skin exfoliation, lichenoid keratosis, pruritus, erythema of eyelid, eyelid eczema, alopecia, psoriasiform rash, exacerbation of psoriasis^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Hypoglycemia, masked symptoms of hypoglycemia in insulin-dependent diabetics^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Betagan side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer