Betagan Side Effects

Generic name: levobunolol ophthalmic

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 2, 2022.

Note: This document contains side effect information about levobunolol ophthalmic. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Betagan.

Summary

Common side effects of Betagan include: burning sensation of eyes. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

Applies to levobunolol ophthalmic: ophthalmic solution.

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:

More common

Burning or stinging in the eye
drainage from the eye
redness, swelling, or itching of the eye and eyelid

Less common

Blurred vision
chest pain or discomfort
confusion
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
slow or irregular heartbeat
sweating
unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare

Eye pain
headache
hives or welts, itching, or skin rash
redness of the skin
shakiness and unsteady walk
tearing
unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness

Incidence not determined

Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
blue lips, fingernails, or skin
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
chills
cough
decreased urine output
diarrhea
difficult or labored breathing
difficulty in chewing, swallowing, or talking
dilated neck veins
disturbed color perception
double vision
drooping eyelids
extreme tiredness or weakness
fast, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
fever
halos around lights
hoarseness
inability to speak
irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
muscle pain or weakness
night blindness
no blood pressure or pulse
noisy breathing
overbright appearance of lights
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
seeing double
seizures
severe numbness, especially on one side of the face or body
severe or sudden headache
slurred speech
sore throat
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
stopping of the heart
swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, fingers, feet, or lower legs
temporary blindness
tightness in the chest
tunnel vision
unconsciousness
weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe
weight gain

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:

Incidence not determined

Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
discouragement
feeling of having something in the eye
feeling sad or empty
inability to have or keep an erection
irritability
lack of appetite
lack or loss of strength
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
loss of interest or pleasure
nausea
stuffy nose
trouble concentrating
trouble sleeping

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to levobunolol ophthalmic: ophthalmic solution.

General

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]