BETOPTIC Ophthalmic Solution has been shown to be effective in lowering intraocular pressure and is indicated in the treatment of ocular hypertension and chronic open-angle glaucoma.

It may be used alone or in combination with other anti-glaucoma drugs.In clinical studies BETOPTIC was safely used to lower intraocular pressure in 47 patients with both glaucoma and reactive airway disease who were followed for a mean period of 15 months.

However, caution should be used in treating patients with severe reactive airway disease or a history of asthma.

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Ocular hypotony -- Abnormally low intraocular pressure often related to chronic inflammation (uveitis).

Ocular Hypertension -- A condition in which the intraocular pressure is elevated above normal and which may lead to glaucoma.

Intraocular pressure disorder --

Glaucoma -- An ocular disease, occurring in many forms, having as its primary characteristics an unstable or a sustained increase in the intraocular pressure which the eye cannot withstand without damage to its structure or impairment of its function. The consequences of the increased pressure may be manifested in a variety of symptoms, depending upon type and severity, such as excavation of the optic disk, hardness of the eyeball, corneal anesthesia, reduced visual acuity, seeing of colored halos around lights, disturbed dark adaptation, visual field defects, and headaches. (Dictionary of Visual Science, 4th ed)

Asthma -- A form of bronchial disorder with three distinct components: airway hyper-responsiveness (RESPIRATORY HYPERSENSITIVITY), airway INFLAMMATION, and intermittent AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION. It is characterized by spasmodic contraction of airway smooth muscle, WHEEZING, and dyspnea (DYSPNEA, PAROXYSMAL).

Hypersensitivity to any component of this product.

BETOPTIC Ophthalmic Solution is contraindicated in patients with sinus bradycardia, greater than a first degree atrioventricular block, cardiogenic shock, or patients with overt cardiac failure.

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Hypersensitivity -- Altered reactivity to an antigen, which can result in pathologic reactions upon subsequent exposure to that particular antigen.

Sinus bradycardia -- A heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute, with its origin in the sinus node. (NCI)

First degree atrioventricular block -- A delay in the time required for the conduction of an electrical impulse through the atrioventricular (AV) node beyond 0.2 seconds; prolongation of the PR interval beyond 200 milliseconds.

Cardiogenic shock -- Shock resulting from diminution of cardiac output in heart disease.

Heart failure -- inability of the heart to pump blood at an adequate rate to fill tissue metabolic requirements or the ability to do so only at an elevated filling pressure.

Topically applied beta-adrenergic blocking agents may be absorbed systemically.

The same adverse reactions found with systemic administration of beta-adrenergic blocking agents may occur with topical administration.

For example, severe respiratory reactions and cardiac reactions, including death due to bronchospasm in patients with asthma, and rarely death in association with cardiac failure, have been reported with topical application of beta-adrenergic blocking agents.BETOPTIC® Ophthalmic Solution has been shown to have a minor effect on heart rate and blood pressure in clinical studies.

Caution should be used in treating patients with a history of cardiac failure or heart block.

Treatment with BETOPTIC Ophthalmic Solution should be discontinued at the first signs of cardiac failure.