PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to take your medicine.
If you have any questions, or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

• Betagan's active ingredient is: Levobunolol hydrochloride 0.5% w/v
• It also contains: Liquifilm® (polyvinyl alcohol), benzalkonium chloride, disodium edetate, sodium metabisulphite, sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate, potassium phosphate monobasic, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid (to adjust pH) and purified water.
• Betagan is an eye-drop and each bottle contains 5 ml of the medicine
• Betagan works by reducing the pressure in the eyeball.

Uses

Betagan is used to treat eye conditions, including glaucoma, where there is increased pressure in the eye.

Before you take this medicine

Tell your doctor:

• (a) If you suffer from, or have in the past suffered from, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, heart disease, irregular heart-beat, angina, high/low blood pressure or diabetes.
• (b) If you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
• (c) If you are taking any other medication, particularly beta-blockers taken by mouth, whether it has been purchased from a chemist or pharmacist, or prescribed for you by a doctor.
• (d) If you are allergic to the preservative benzalkonium chloride or any of the other ingredients.
• (e) If you wear soft (hydrophilic) contact lenses. (The preservative benzalkonium chloride can permanently damage this type of lens. It is known to discolour soft contact lenses.)
• (f) If you drive a car or operate machinery as Betagan® may cause occasional dizziness or fatigue.

Dosage

Betagan is usually used once or twice daily.
Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain anything that you do not understand.
This medicine controls, but does not cure, conditions such as glaucoma.
To be effective it must be taken every day.
It may be necessary to use another drug with Betagan to control your condition.
Your doctor will usually check your eye pressure 4 weeks after starting treatment.

How to use the product

Betagan comes as eyedrops. Your prescription label tells you how many drops to use at each dose.
Apply your eye drops in the following way:

• 1. Tilt your head back and look at the ceiling.
• 2. Gently pull the lower eyelid down until there is a small pocket.
• 3. Squeeze the upturned dropper bottle to release a drop into your eye.
• 4. Release the lower lid, and close your eye for 30 seconds.

Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or anything else.
Replace and tighten the cap straight after use.
The proper application of your eye drops is very important.
If you have any questions ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdosage

If you accidentally place too many drops in your eye(s), wash the eye(s) with water. Apply your next dose at the normal time. The application of too many drops is, however, unlikely to lead to unwanted side-effects. If the medicine is drunk by accident, contact your doctor since it may cause slow heart rate, low blood pressure, wheezing or shortness of breath.

Missed doses

If you forget to take a dose apply it as soon as you remember. If, however, it is almost time for your next dose, you should omit the missed dose altogether and then follow your normal routine.

Side Effects

As with all medicines, Betagan can cause unwanted effects in some users. You may experience brief stinging and/or burning when the drops are applied.
If you experience any of the following you should see your doctor:

• Difficulty in breathing
• Wheezing or shortness of breath
• Slow heartbeat
• Pins and needles
• Irregular heartbeat

The following effects have occasionally been reported - see your doctor if you experience any of these:

• Redness or itching of the eyes and swelling of the eyelids
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Excessive tiredness
• Short lasting unsteadiness
• Impaired vision
• Hallucinations
• Confusion
• Impotence
• Sleep disturbances
• Depression
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea

The following effects have rarely been reported - see your doctor if you experience any of these:

• Dry eye
• Skin rashes and itching
• Allergic reaction

You should also see your doctor if you experience any other unusual or unexpected effects.
Contact your doctor if your eyesight worsens or if you have eye pain.

Warnings

Do not use the product if the tamper-proof seal on the bottle is broken.
The product should not be used after the expiry date. (This is printed on both the label on the bottle and on the bottom of the carton that the bottle is packed in.)

Throw the bottle away 28 days after opening, even if there is solution remaining.

This medicine is for your use only. It can only be prescribed by a doctor. Never give it to anyone else.
It may harm them even if their symptoms are the same as yours.

Storage

Keep the bottle in a safe place out of the reach of children.

Further information

You may obtain further information from your doctor or pharmacist, who have more detailed information about 'Betagan' and your eye condition.