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Home > Drug Category > Glaucoma Medications > Betagan Eye Drops and Equivalent

Betagan Eye Drops Information

Betagan eye drops (Levobunolol hydrochloride) are used to treat glaucoma or other eye diseases (such as ocular hypertension) by lowering the pressure that builds up in the eye. Your eyeball contains a watery liquid, which is constantly being drained out of the eye, and new liquid is made to replace this. Glaucoma can occur when the liquid does not drain out quickly enough leading to raised pressure within the eyeball which can eventually damage your sight. Betagan works by reducing the production of liquid which helps in reducing the pressure inside the eye. Betagan belongs to a group of medicines called beta blockers. Betagan is not recommended for use in children

Betagan eye drops Side Effects

The most common side effects of Betagan eye drops may include eye irritation; eye pain; mild burning; inflammation of the eyelids and outermost layer of the eye; blurred vision; headache; dizziness; weakness.

Call your doctor right away if you have any of the serious side effects such as:
• Breathing difficulties (including asthma, chest tightness, wheezing);
• Loss of consciousness (or feeling like this);
• Low blood pressure;
• Rash, swallowing or breathing difficulties, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue (these could be signs of a serious allergic reaction);
• Numbness, cold feeling, or pale appearance of your fingers or toes;
• Unusual or slow heart beat.

Betagan eye drops Precautions

Do not use Betagan eye drops if you are allergic to levobunolol or benzalkonium chloride or to any other ingredients in this medication or if you have or have had asthma or other lung diseases where you have difficulty breathing; have or have had heart problems. Before you start taking this medication, tell your doctor about your medical history, including if you have heart problems; low blood pressure; asthma; breathing problems or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; poor blood circulation disease; diabetes; overactivity of the thyroid gland; any allergies; eye surgery to lower the pressure in your eye(s). If you have a history of breathing problems or heart disease your doctor may monitor you more closely as in rare cases death has been reported following taking levobunolol. If you suffer from allergies, or have a severe allergic reaction be aware that the usual dose of adrenaline may need to be increased.

Tell your doctor before you have an operation that you are using Betagan as levobunolol may change effects of some medicines used during anaesthesia. Tell your doctor about all the medications you take including prescription, OTC, herbal supplements and vitamins. Tell your doctor before you start using Betagan if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Betagan should not be used during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Betagan may cause tiredness, dizziness or blurred/abnormal vision. Do not drive or use machinery until these symptoms have cleared. A preservative in Betagan (called benzalkonium chloride) may cause eye irritation and is also known to discolour soft contact lenses. Therefore, do not use the drops while your contact lenses are in your eyes.

Do I need a prescription to order Betagan Eye Drops?

Yes, a prescription is required from your physician to order Betagan Eye Drops.