Betaxolol
Betaxolol is a selective beta1 receptor blocker used in the treatment of hypertension and glaucoma. Being selective for beta1 receptors, it typically has fewer systemic side effects than non-selective beta-blockers, for example, not causing bronchospasm (mediated by beta2 receptors) as timolol may.  Betaxolol also shows greater affinity for beta1 receptors than metoprolol. In addition to its effect on the heart, betaxolol reduces the pressure within the eye (intraocular pressure). This effect is thought to be caused by reducing the production of the liquid (which is called the aqueous humor) within the eye. The precise mechanism of this effect is not known. The reduction in intraocular pressure reduces the risk of damage to the optic nerve and loss of vision in patients with elevated intraocular pressure due to glaucoma.
It was patented in 1975 and approved for medical use in 1983.

Medical uses
Oral: for the management of hypertension
Ophthalmic: for the management of glaucoma
the drug seems to have an effect of neuroprotection in glaucoma treatment

Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the drug
Patients with sinus bradycardia, heart block greater than first degree, cardiogenic shock, and overt cardiac failure

Side effects
History
Betaxolol was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ocular use as a 0.5% solution (Betoptic) in 1985 and as a 0.25% solution (Betoptic S) in 1989.

Society and culture
Brand names
Brand names include Betoptic, Betoptic S, Lokren, Kerlone.

See also
Levobetaxolol
Cicloprolol

References
External links
Kerlone prescribing information