What Is Betoquin Used For?

Betoquin contains betaxolol hydrochloride, which belongs to a class of medicines called beta-adrenergic blocking agents. Your doctor has prescribed this medication because the pressure inside your eye(s) is higher than normal.

Primary Uses

Betoquin is used to lower raised pressure within your eye(s), known as intraocular pressure. This raised pressure may damage your eyesight and lead to glaucoma. Glaucoma usually has no symptoms, but if left untreated, it can lead to serious problems including total blindness. Betoquin is used either alone or in combination with other medicines to treat this condition.

How It Works

Betoquin works by reducing the amount of fluid produced within your eye(s), which helps lower the pressure. Although Betoquin helps control your glaucoma, it does not cure it, so you must keep using it until your doctor tells you to stop.

How to Take Betoquin

Follow all directions given by your doctor or pharmacist carefully. Using your eye drops at the same time each day will have the best effect on your eye pressure and help you remember when to use them.

Dosage Instructions

The usual dose is one drop in the affected eye(s) two times each day. Do not use more often than prescribed. If changing from other eye drops, follow your doctor’s changeover instructions carefully as it may take several days. Wait at least 5 minutes before putting any other eye drops in your eye(s). Do not use while wearing soft contact lenses – wait 15 minutes after using Betoquin before reinserting contact lenses.

What If You Miss a Dose?

If you forget to use Betoquin, put the missed drops in as soon as you remember, then go back to using them normally. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when due.

Available Tablet Strengths

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

• discomfort or pain in your eye(s)
• loss of feeling to the surface of your eye(s)
• redness, inflammation, irritation and/or itching in eyes or eyelids
• blurred vision and/or problems seeing clearly
• feeling that something is in your eye(s)
• eyelid spasms
• increase in tearing or eye discharge
• dry eye(s)
• crusty eyelashes or eyelids
• discomfort due to greater sensitivity to light
• weakness or easily fatigued eyes

Important Warnings

There are important conditions and situations where Betoquin should not be used or requires special caution.

Who Should Not Take Betoquin

Do not use if you have an allergy to betaxolol or any ingredients, very slow or irregular heartbeat, cardiac failure, or any other serious heart conditions. Do not use if expired, damaged, or if safety seal is broken.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have: respiratory or breathing disorders (wheezing, asthma), diabetes, overactive thyroid gland, muscle weakness, heart problems including heart failure or heart block, severe circulation disorders like Raynaud’s disease, phaeochromocytoma (brain tumor), or metabolic acidosis. Also inform your doctor if you’re having major surgery or eye surgery.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, intend to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or intend to breastfeed. Your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefits of using Betoquin during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Some medicines may interfere with Betoquin or affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines.

• other beta-blockers
• calcium blockers, including amiodarone
• digitalis glycosides
• certain medicines used to treat lower blood pressure (e.g. reserpine)
• some medicines used to treat major mental illnesses

Alcohol & Driving

Be careful when driving or operating machinery until you know how Betoquin affects you.

Driving and Operating Machinery

As with any eye medicines, temporary blurred vision or other visual disturbances may affect your ability to drive and use machinery. If blurred vision occurs when you use your drops, wait until your vision is clear before driving.

Storage

Keep Betoquin Eye Drops in a cool place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Do not freeze. Protect from light and store the bottle in the outer carton. Do not leave in bathroom, near a sink, on a window sill, or in the car as heat and dampness can destroy the medicine. Keep where children cannot reach it – a locked cupboard at least one-and-half metres above the ground is a good place. Discard each bottle 4 weeks after opening and write the opening date on the label as a reminder.

Overdose Information

If you accidentally put too many drops in your eye(s), immediately rinse your eye(s) with warm water or normal saline. If anyone accidentally swallows Betoquin Eye Drops, immediately telephone your doctor, the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26, or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital.

Frequently Asked Questions