$Unique_ID{BRK01853}
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$Title{BETAXOLOL (SYSTEMIC)}
$Subject{Kerlone (Searle)}
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Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


BETAXOLOL (SYSTEMIC)
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BRAND NAME (Manufacturer):
     Kerlone (Searle)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Beta-adrenergic blocking agent
INGREDIENT:
     betaxolol
DOSAGE FORM:
     Tablets (10 mg and 20 mg)
STORAGE:
     Betaxolol should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed
       container.

USES

     Betaxolol is prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure.
Betaxolol belongs to a group of medicines known as beta-adrenergic blocking
agents or, more commonly, beta blockers.  These drugs work by controlling
impulses along certain nerve pathways.

TREATMENT

     Betaxolol can be taken with a glass of water, with meals, immediately
following meals, or on an empty stomach, depending on your doctor's
instructions.  Try to take the medication at the same time(s) each day.
     Try not to miss any doses of this medication.  If you do miss a dose of
the medication, take the missed dose as soon as possible.  However, if the
next scheduled dose is within eight hours (if you are taking this medication
only once a day) or within four hours (if you are taking this medication more
than once a day), do not take the missed dose at all; just return to your
regular dosing schedule.  Do not double the next dose of the medication.
     It is important to remember that betaxolol does not cure high blood
pressure, but it will help to control the condition as long as you continue to
take it.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Decreased sexual ability, diarrhea, fatigue, headache, indigestion, or
nausea.  These side effects should diminish as your body adjusts to the
medication.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
breathing difficulty or wheezing; cold hands or feet due to decreased blood
circulation to the skin, fingers, and toes; confusion; dizziness; fever and
sore throat; hair loss; hallucinations; light-headedness; mental depression;
nightmares; reduced alertness; skin rash; swelling of the ankles, feet, or
lower legs; or unusual bleeding or bruising.

INTERACTIONS

     Betaxolol interacts with a number of other types of medications:
     1. Indomethacin, other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, aspirin, or
other salicylates may decrease the blood-pressure-lowering effects of beta
blockers.
     2. Calcium channel blockers (nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem,
lisinopril) may be used with beta blockers such as betaxolol unless the
patient has heart trouble.  Very low blood pressure and heart failure have
been observed in patients with impaired heart function who take beta blockers.
     3. Side effects may also be increased if beta blockers are taken with
epinephrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, phenothiazine tranquilizers,
reserpine, clonidine, prazosin, or monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors.  At
least 14 days should separate the use of a beta blocker and the use of an MAO
inhibitor.
     4. Beta blockers may antagonize (work against) the effects of
theophylline, aminophylline, albuterol, isoproterenol, metaproterenol, and
terbutaline.
     5. Beta blockers can also interact with insulin or oral antidiabetic
agents--raising or lowering blood sugar levels or masking symptoms of low
blood sugar.
     6. The action of beta blockers may be increased if they are used with
furosemide or hydralazine, which could have a negative effect.
     7. Alcohol, barbiturates, and rifampin can decrease blood concentrations
of this drug, which can result in a decrease in effectiveness.
     8. If you are on both betaxolol and clonidine, and both of these
medications are to be discontinued, it is recommended that the betaxolol be
tapered off over several days before the gradual reduction of clonidine.
     9. In patients who have congestive heart failure treated with digitalis
glycosides (for example, digoxin or digitoxin), caution should be used as both
betaxolol and digitalis products may slow heart conduction.
     Before starting to take betaxolol, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any
medications you are already taking, especially any of the medications listed
above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about any unusual or allergic reactions you have had
to any medications, especially to betaxolol or any other beta blocker
(acebutolol, atenolol, carteolol, esmolol, labetolol, metoprolol, nadolol,
penbutalol, pindolol, propranolol, timolol).
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had asthma,
bronchitis, diabetes mellitus, heart block, heart failure, kidney disease,
liver disease, peripheral vascular disease (poor circulation in the fingers or
toes), severe bradycardia (slowed heart rate), or thyroid disease.
     * Betaxolol therapy may increase the risk of cardiac failure in some
patients.  Report any abnormal heart function to your doctor.  Patients with
severe bronchospastic disease (such as asthma) should, in general, not receive
beta blockers.  Inform your physician if you experience breathing
difficulties.
     * In diabetics, betaxolol may block some of the warning signs of low
blood sugar (hypoglycemia), such as rapid pulse rate, but not others, such as
dizziness or sweating.
     * You may want to check your pulse while taking this drug.  If your pulse
is much slower than your usual rate (or if it is less than 50 beats per
minute), check with your doctor.  A pulse that is too slow may cause
circulation problems.
     * This medication may affect your body's response to exercise.  Ask your
doctor what an appropriate amount of exercise would be for you, taking into
account your medical condition.
     * It is important that you do not stop taking this medication without
first checking with your doctor.  Some conditions such as angina pectoris may
become worse when the medication is stopped suddenly, and the danger of a
heart attack is increased in some patients.  Your doctor may want you to
gradually reduce the amount of medication you take before stopping completely.
Make sure that you have enough medication on hand to last through vacations,
holidays, and weekends.
     * Tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication before
having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment.  Often, this
medication will be discontinued 48 hours prior to any major surgery.
     * While taking this medication, do not use any over-the-counter
(nonprescription) allergy, asthma, cough, cold, sinus, or diet preparation
without first checking with your doctor or pharmacist.  The combination of
these medications with a beta blocker can result in high blood pressure.
     * Betaxolol may reduce intraocular pressure and give a misleading
negative glaucoma test.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Animal studies have
shown that some beta blockers can cause problems in pregnancy when used at
very high doses.  Adequate studies have not been conducted in humans, but
there has been some association between beta blockers used during pregnancy
and low birth weight, as well as breathing problems and slow heart rate in the
newborn.  Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.
Although this medication has not been shown to cause problems in breast-fed
infants, some of the medication may pass into breast milk, so caution is
warranted.
     * The safety of this medication has not been established in children.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
