Betaxolol

Administration

• Type: Beta blocker
• Dosage Forms: 10, 20 mg
• Routes of Administration: Oral
• Common Trade Names: Kerlone

Adult Dosing

• 10-20 mg PO qd
  • Start: 10 mg PO qd
  • Max: 40 mg/day
  • Consider starting 5 mg PO qd in elderly pts
  • Taper dose over 2 weeks to D/C

Pediatric Dosing

N/A

Special Populations

• Pregnancy Rating: C; Caution advised in 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Risk of intrauterine growth restriction and neonatal adverse effects including bradycardia and hypoglycemia.
• Lactation risk: L3; Safety unknown

Renal Dosing

• Adult: Severe impairment: Start 5 mg PO qd. May increase by 5 mg/day q 2 weeks to max 20 mg/day.
• Pediatric: N/A

Hepatic Dosing

• Adult: No adjustement
• Pediatric: N/A

Contraindications

• Allergy to class/drug
• Sinus bradycardia
• 2nd or 3rd degree AV block
• Decompensated heart failure
• Cardiogenic shock
• Sick sinus syndrome w/o pacemaker
• Pheochromocytoma, untreated
• Avoid abrupt withdrawal

Adverse Reactions

Serious

• CHF
• Bradycardia, severe
• Heart block
• Angina exacerbation with abrupt D/C
• MI if abrupt D/C
• Ventricular arrhythmia if abrupt D/C
• Bronchospasm
• Hypersensitivity reaction
• Raynaud's phenomenon
• Psoriasis exacerbation
• Lupus erythematosus

Common

• Bradycardia
• Headache
• Dyspepsia
• Dizziness
• Arthralgia
• Fatigue
• Lethargy
• URI
• Dyspnea
• Chest pain
• Pharyngitis
• Diarrhea

Pharmacology

• Half-life: 14-22 hr
• Metabolism: Liver extensively; CYP450: Unknown
• Excretion: Urine > 80% (15% unchanged)

Mechanism of Action

Selectively antagonizes beta-1 adrenergic receptors.