Pronunciation: be-TAX-oh-lol
Generic Name: Betaxolol
Brand Name: Kerlone
If you have angina or have had heart problems, DO NOT suddenly stop taking Kerlone without first consulting with your doctor. Severe chest pain, heart attack, very fast heart rate, and irregular heart rhythm may occur. If your doctor decides you should no longer take Kerlone, the dosage should be gradually reduced according to your doctor's instructions. You should be closely watched by your doctor and limit physical activity, particularly if you have certain kinds of heart disease. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Kerlone.
Kerlone is used for:
Treating high blood pressure. It may be used alone or with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Kerlone is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent. It works by slowing down the heart and reducing blood pressure, which helps it pump more efficiently and reduces the workload on the heart. It may also interfere with the action of adrenalin and other similar chemicals in the brain preventing migraine headaches.
Do NOT use Kerlone if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Kerlone
- you have a very slow heartbeat, heart block, uncontrolled heart failure, or shock caused by heart failure, or you have had a heart attack and have very low blood pressure
- you have asthma or Raynaud phenomenon
- you are a child with diabetes or heart failure
- you are taking mibefradil
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Kerlone:
Some medical conditions may interact with Kerlone. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine (eg, medicines to treat colds or congestion), herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances or are taking medicine for allergies
- if you have or have ever had an adrenal gland tumor; anaphylaxis; asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, or other lung disease; congestive heart failure; blood vessel problems; slow heartbeat; diabetes; kidney problems; low blood sugar; or overactive thyroid
- if you have Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
- if you are having surgery
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Kerlone. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, flecainide, quinidine), antipsychotics (eg, chlorpromazine, haloperidol), bupivacaine, calcium channel blockers (eg, mibefradil, nifedipine, verapamil), catecholamine-depleting agents (eg reserpine), cimetidine, digoxin, ketanserin, mefloquine, or thioamines (eg, tapazole) because potentially life-threatening heart-related side effects may occur, including very slow heart rate; abnormal heartbeat; lightheadedness, especially upon standing; difficulty breathing, especially when lying down; loss of function in the heart and lungs; and swelling of ankles
- Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), clonidine, phenytoin, rifampin, or thyroid hormones (eg, levothyroxine) because they may decrease Kerlone's effectiveness
- Certain stimulants (adrenalin, pseudoephedrine), hydralazine, insulin, lidocaine, quinazolines (eg, doxazosin), rizatriptan, or theophylline because their actions and the risk of their side effects may be increased by Kerlone
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Kerlone may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Kerlone:
Use Kerlone as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Kerlone by mouth with or without food.
- Do not take an antacid that has aluminum in it within 2 hours of Kerlone.
- Kerlone works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
- Continue to use Kerlone even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
- If you miss a dose of Kerlone, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Kerlone.
Important safety information:
- Kerlone may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Kerlone with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Kerlone may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
- Do not suddenly stop taking Kerlone without first checking with your doctor.
- Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
- Kerlone may mask the signs of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). If thyroid patients stop taking these medicines too suddenly, symptoms of hyperthyroidism (eg, a rapid pulse) may occur.
- Patients with a history of severe allergic reactions may be more sensitive to allergens while taking Kerlone. These patients may not respond to the usual dose of epinephrine (adrenalin).
- Kerlone may interfere with the glaucoma screening test.
- Diabetes patients - Kerlone may hide signs of low blood sugar, such as a rapid heartbeat. Be sure to watch for other signs of low blood sugar. Low blood sugar may make you anxious, sweaty, weak, dizzy, drowsy, or faint. It may also make your vision change; give you a headache, chills, or tremors; or make you more hungry. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Kerlone before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Lab tests, including blood pressure, may be performed while you use Kerlone. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Kerlone with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially slow heartbeat.
- Kerlone should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Kerlone while you are pregnant. Kerlone is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Kerlone, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
If you stop taking Kerlone suddenly, you may have WITHDRAWAL symptoms. These may include worsening chest pain along with possible heart attack.
Possible side effects of Kerlone:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Constipation; depression; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; fatigue; hallucinations; lightheadedness; nausea; sleeplessness; stomach cramps; tiredness; vision problems; vivid dreams; vomiting; weakness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); shortness of breath; slow or irregular heartbeat.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Kerlone side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, especially when lying down; lightheadedness, especially upon standing; pale or blue skin; seizures (convulsions); shortness of breath; swelling of ankles; unconsciousness, possibly leading to lack of heartbeat or breathing; very slow heart rate; wheezing.
Proper storage of Kerlone:
Store Kerlone between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Kerlone out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Kerlone, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Kerlone is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Kerlone. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Kerlone resources
- Kerlone Side Effects (in more detail)
- Kerlone Dosage
- Kerlone Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Kerlone Drug Interactions
- Kerlone Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Kerlone - Add your own review/rating
- Kerlone Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Kerlone Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Kerlone Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)
- Kerlone Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Betaxolol Prescribing Information (FDA)
Compare Kerlone with other medications
- Angina Pectoris Prophylaxis
- High Blood Pressure
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