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Betoptic (BETAXOLOL)
Betaxolol works by blocking the beta-1 adrenergic receptor in the heart and eyes, reducing heart rate and pressure, and decreasing intraocular pressure.
Betoptic (Betaxolol) is a beta-adrenergic blocker developed by Alcon and currently owned by Sandoz. It targets the beta-1 adrenergic receptor to treat hypertensive disorders, ocular hypertension, and open-angle glaucoma. Betoptic is a small molecule with a half-life of 17.0 hours and 85% bioavailability. It is off-patent with six generic manufacturers. Key safety considerations include its potential to worsen heart failure and bronchospasm in susceptible patients.
At a glance
| Generic name | BETAXOLOL |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Novartis |
| Drug class | beta-Adrenergic Blocker |
| Target | Beta-1 adrenergic receptor |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Cardiovascular |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
| First approval | 1985 |
Mechanism of action
Betaxolol HCl, cardioselective (beta-1-adrenergic) receptor inhibitor, does not have significant membrane-stabilizing (local anesthetic) activity and is devoid of intrinsic sympathomimetic action. Orally administered beta-adrenergic receptor inhibitors reduce cardiac output in healthy subjects and patients with heart disease. In patients with severe impairment of myocardial function, beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists may inhibit the sympathetic stimulatory effect necessary to maintain adequate cardiac function.When instilled in the eye, BETOPTIC has the action of reducing elevated IOP, whether or not accompanied by glaucoma. Ophthalmic betaxolol has minimal effect on pulmonary and cardiovascular parameters.Elevated IOP presents major risk factor in glaucomatous field loss. The higher the level of IOP, the greater the likelihood of optic nerve damage and visual field loss. Betaxolol has the action of reducing elevated as well as normal IOP and the mechanism
Approved indications
- Hypertensive disorder
- Ocular hypertension
- Open-angle glaucoma
Common side effects
- Bradycardia
- Hypertension
- Hypotension
- Myocardial infarction
- Thrombosis
- Angina pectoris
- Arrhythmia
- Atrioventricular block
- Heart failure
- Syncope
- Allergy
- Fever
Drug interactions
- chlorpropamide
- clonidine
- disopyramide
- epinephrine
- felodipine
- glibenclamide
- glipizide
- indomethacin
- piroxicam
- sulindac
- tolazamide
- tolbutamide
Key clinical trials
- Retinal Ganglion Cell Neuroprotection Under Prostaglandin Analogues
- N-of-1 for Beta-Blockers in Cardiac Amyloidosis (PHASE4)
- A Preliminary Study for INFORMED (PHASE4)
- Pilot Deprescribing N-of-1 Trials for Beta-blockers in HFpEF (PHASE4)
- Impact of Beta-blockers on Physical Function in HFpEF (PHASE4)
- Levobetaxolol Hydrochloride Eye Drops for Treatment of Primary Open-angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension (PHASE3)
- Beta Blockers Plus Intravenous Flecainide for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: a Real-world Chios Registry (BETAFLEC-CHIOS)
- ACEI or ARB and COVID-19 Severity and Mortality in US Veterans
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| FDA label | Mechanism, indications, dosing, boxed warnings, drug interactions |
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Betoptic CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Betoptic updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Novartis portfolio CI