Trade names Kerlone MedlinePlus a609023 CAS ID 63659-18-7 Bioavailability 89% | AHFS/Drugs.com Monograph Routes ofadministration oral, ocular Molar mass 307.428 g/mol | |
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Pregnancycategory AU: CUS: C (Risk not ruled out) ATC code C07AB05 (WHO) S01ED02 (WHO) | ||
Glaucoma drugs timolol betaxolol carteolol beta blockers
Betaxolol (trade names Betoptic, Betoptic S, Lokren, Kerlone) is a selective beta1 receptor blocker used in the treatment of hypertension and glaucoma. Being selective for beta1 receptors, it typically has fewer systemic side effects than non-selective beta-blockers, for example, not causing bronchospasm (mediated by beta2 receptors) as timolol may. Betaxolol also shows greater affininty for beta1 receptors than metoprolol. In addition to its effect on the heart, betaxolol reduces the pressure within the eye (intraocular pressure). This effect is thought to be caused by reducing the production of the liquid (which is called the aqueous humor) within the eye. The precise mechanism of this effect is not known. The reduction in intraocular pressure reduces the risk of damage to the optic nerve and loss of vision in patients with elevated intraocular pressure due to glaucoma.
Contents
- Glaucoma drugs timolol betaxolol carteolol beta blockers
- Clinical uses
- Dosage
- Contraindications
- References
Betaxolol was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ocular use as a 0.5% solution (Betoptic) in 1985 and as a 0.25% solution (Betoptic S) in 1989.