Source: Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) Revision Year: 2012 Publisher: Alcon Laboratories (UK) Ltd Pentagon Park Boundary Way HemelHempstead Herts. HP2 7UD
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Ophthalmologicals: Antiglaucoma Preparations & Miotics.
ATC Code: S01ED02
Betaxolol is a cardioselective Beta1 receptor blocker which, when applied topically to the eye, lowers intraocular pressure. It is thought to produce this effect by reducing the rate of production of aqueous humour.
Several studies have indicated that betaxolol may have a beneficial effect on visual function for up to 48 months in patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma and up to 60 months in patients with ocular hypertension. Moreover there is evidence that betaxolol maintains or increases ocular blood flow/perfusion.
Betaxolol is highly lipophilic which results in good permeation of the cornea, allowing high intraocular levels of the drug. Betaxolol is characterised by its good oral absorption, low first pass loss and a relatively long half-life of approx 16-22 hours. The elimination of betaxolol is primarily by the renal rather than faecal route. The major metabolic pathways yield two carboxylic acid forms plus unchanged betaxolol in the urine (approx. 16% of the administered dose).
There are no preclinical data of relevance to the prescriber which are additional to that already included in other sections of the SPC.
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