patient information leaflet betoptic 0.5% eye drops

Patient Information Leaflet

BETOPTIC® 0.5% w/v

Eye Drops, Solution

Betaxolol (as hydrochloride)

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine.

This medicine has been prescribed for you personally. You should not pass it on to other people. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again. If you still have questions after reading it, please ask your doctor or your pharmacist.

The active substance is betaxolol 5 mg/ml (as hydrochloride).

Other ingredients: Benzalkonium chloride which is included as a preservative, Disodium edetate, Sodium chloride and Purified water. Hydrochloric acid and/or Sodium hydroxide may also be included in very small quantities to adjust the acidity or alkalinity of the product to ensure comfort of the product in the eye.

1. WHAT BETOPTIC EYE DROPS, SOLUTION IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR

The name of this medicine is Betoptic 0.5% w/v Eye Drops, Solution. It contains a substance called betaxolol, which is a beta-blocker that is effective in reducing the pressure in your eye(s). You may be using Betoptic on its own or your doctor may have prescribed other medicines as well to treat the pressure in your eye(s). It is important that you continue to use all the medicines prescribed by your doctor unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.

If your doctor has prescribed this medicine for you to use then you will be suffering from glaucoma or high pressure in your eye(s).

This medicine is licensed in 5 ml and 10 ml bottles with screw caps. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

2. BEFORE YOU USE BETOPTIC EYE DROPS, SOLUTION

In some circumstances this medicine may not be suitable for you and your doctor may wish to give you a different medicine.

If your doctor is unaware that you suffer from any of the following conditions please inform your doctor before starting to take this medicine.

If you have a history of heart failure, bradycardia (slow heart beat), heart block or other heart disease.
If you are diabetic.
If you have an overactive thyroid gland.
If you have any form of lung disease or any condition that causes breathing difficulties e.g. asthma.
If you are about to have an operation which requires a general anaesthetic.
If you are pregnant or intending to become pregnant.
If you are breast feeding a baby.
If you have ever had to stop taking a medicine because you were allergic to it.

Betoptic may have effects on other medicines that you are also taking e.g. adrenaline, other betablockers taken orally for heart disease or high blood pressure or other medicines taken to reduce high blood pressure e.g. reserpine. Make sure your doctor knows what other medicines you are taking.

You must not wear soft contact lenses whilst using this medicine.
If your sight is affected in any way following the use of Betoptic you should not drive or operate machinery.

3. HOW TO USE BETOPTIC EYE DROPS, SOLUTION

DOSE

Adults
The normal dose is one drop in the affected eye(s) twice daily. However, it is possible that your doctor may change the dose to suit your particular condition. The dosage instructions will be specified on the label attached to the outer carton of your medicine. If they are not or you are not sure then ask your doctor or pharmacist. It is important that you use Betoptic as instructed by your doctor.
Children
The safe use of this medicine in children has not been demonstrated. Therefore, this medicine is not recommended for use in children.

How to put the drops in your eye

By following the 10 steps listed below you will ensure that Betoptic® is being used correctly and to the best effect.

	1. Wash your hands before using BETOPTIC.
	2. Sit down in front of a mirror so that you can see what you are doing.
	3. Remove the cap from the bottle.
	4. Make sure the dropper tip does not touch anything as this may contaminate the contents.
	5. Hold the bottle upside down in one hand between your thumb and middle finger.
	6. Using the forefinger of your other hand gently pull down the lower eyelid of the affected eye.
	7. Place the dropper bottle tip close to, but not touching, your eye and gently tap the base of the bottle with your forefinger so that one drop falls into the gap between the eye and the lower lid.
	8. Now release the lower eyelid, and blink a few times to make sure the whole of the eye is covered by the liquid.
	9. Repeat steps 5 to 8, above, for the other eye, if necessary.
	10. Replace and tightly close the cap on the dropper bottle.

What you should do if you miss a dose

If you miss a dose DO NOT WORRY - just take the next dose when it is due.

What you should do if you take too much

If you take too much of this medicine it can be washed out of your eye with warm water.

4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

You may experience some or all of the following reactions in your eye(s):
- Stinging, burning, discomfort, itchy, foreign body (gritty) sensation - redness of the eye or inside the eyelid, staining or inflammation of the cornea, increased tear production, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, dryness, decreased sensitivity.
You may also experience reactions in other areas of your body including:
- Slow heart beat, heart failure, low blood pressure, breathing difficulties, sleeplessness, headaches, depression, hallucinations, phychoses, confusion, hair loss,?cold feeling or tingling in the hands or feet, tiredness, unclear vision, impotence, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and skin rash;
If you experience any of the reactions listed above or any others not listed, after using Be?optic then tell your doctor or pharmacist and follow their advice.

5. STORING BETOPTIC EYE DROPS, SOLUTION

Keep Betoptic in a safe place out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not store above 25°C.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date shown as "EXP" on the container and carton.
This medicine must be discarded one month after opening.

Medicine: betoptic 0.5% eye drops