Betaxolol Ophthalmic Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 25, 2024.

Applies to betaxolol ophthalmic: ophthalmic solution, ophthalmic suspension.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, betaxolol ophthalmic 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 ophthalmic:

More common

• eye pain

Rare

• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• blurred vision
• change in color vision
• chest pain, tightness, or discomfort
• chills
• cough
• crusting of eyelashes
• decreased urine output
• decreased vision
• diarrhea
• different size pupils of the eyes
• difficulty in breathing, chewing, swallowing, or talking
• difficulty seeing at night
• dilated neck veins
• double vision
• drainage from eyes
• drooping eyelids
• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• feeling of having something in the eye
• hives, itching skin, or rash
• increased sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• irritation or inflammation of the eye
• itching, dryness of the eyes
• joint or muscle pain
• lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• muscle weakness
• noisy breathing
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, irritated eyes
• severe tiredness
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• sweating
• swelling of the eyelids
• swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
• tearing
• thickened mucous from the lungs
• trouble breathing
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• weight gain

Other side effects

Some side effects of betaxolol 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:

Rare

• bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
• change in sense of smell
• change in taste
• discouragement
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• feeling sad or empty
• hair loss
• headache
• irritability
• lack of appetite
• loss of interest or pleasure
• redness, swelling, or soreness of tongue
• sensation of spinning
• tiredness
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping
• unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness

For healthcare professionals

Applies to betaxolol ophthalmic: ophthalmic solution, ophthalmic suspension.

General

The most commonly reported side effect was eye discomfort.^[Ref]

Ocular

• Very common (10% or more): Eye discomfort (16%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Foreign body sensation in eyes
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tearing on instillation of the drops, punctate keratitis, asthenopia, eye discharge, eyelid margin crusting, conjunctival disorder, conjunctival edema, ocular hyperemia
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Signs and symptoms of ocular irritation (e.g., burning, stinging, itching, tearing, redness), pain, corneal punctuate staining, decreased corneal sensitivity, dry eyes, blepharitis, keratitis, blurred vision, anisocoria, photophobia, blepharoconjunctivitis, cataract, refraction disorder
• Frequency not reported: Choroidal detachment following filtration surgery, corneal erosion, ptosis, diplopia^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Systemic allergic reactions including angioedema, urticaria, localized and generalized rash, pruritus, anaphylactic reaction^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Bradycardia, atrioventricular block, cardiac failure, hypotension, Raynaud's phenomenon, cold hands and feet, exacerbation of intermittent claudication
• Frequency not reported: Congestive heart failure, chest pain, palpitations, edema, arrhythmia, cardiac arrest^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rhinitis
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Bronchospasm (predominantly in patients with pre-existing bronchospastic disease), dyspnea, asthma, rhinorrhea
• Frequency not reported: Cough, thickened bronchial secretions, respiratory failure, antral lavage^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Insomnia, sleep disorders, depression, hallucinations, psychoses, confusion, nightmares^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Dizziness, paresthesia, headache
• Frequency not reported: Memory loss, syncope, cerebrovascular accident, cerebral ischemia, increases in signs and symptoms of myasthenia gravis, dysgeusia, vertigo, lethargy^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Frequency not reported: Dyspepsia, dry mouth, abdominal pain, glossitis^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Alopecia, skin rash
• Frequency not reported: Psoriasiform rash or exacerbation of psoriasis, hives, toxic epidermal necrolysis, hair loss, periorbital edema^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Masking of the symptoms of thyrotoxicosis^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Sexual dysfunction
• Frequency not reported: Decreased libido^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Increase in anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA)^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypoglycemia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Frequency not reported: Myalgia^[Ref]

Other

• Frequency not reported: Asthenia^[Ref]

Further information

Betaxolol ophthalmic 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.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer