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Uses

What is levobunolol used for?

Levobunolol is commonly used to lower pressure inside the eye in people with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. These conditions cause increased pressure inside the eye.

Levobunolol may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does levobunolol work (mechanism of action)?

High pressure inside the eye can lead to nerve damage and vision loss. Levobunolol helps to lower pressure inside the eye. It works by reducing the amount of fluid in your eye.

How is levobunolol supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • AKBeta
  • Betagan

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 0.5% ophthalmic solution (eye drops)

How should I store levobunolol?

Levobunolol should be stored at temperatures between 59 F to 77 F (15 C to 25 C). Protect from light and keep the cap on the bottle when not in use. 

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of levobunolol?

The most common side effects of levobunolol are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Blurry vision
  • Burning and stinging after you put the drop in your eye
  • Eye redness, itching, or irritation 
  • Headache
  • Dizziness

There may be other side effects of levobunolol that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of levobunolol?

While less common, the most serious side effects of levobunolol are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

New or Worsening Heart Failure. Levobunolol mainly works in the eye, but may be absorbed into the blood and affect other parts of the body, such as the heart. While rare, levobunolol may cause or worsen heart failure, which is a condition where the heart is not pumping as well as it should. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of heart failure.

  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially while lying down
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Unusually fast weight gain
  • Unusual tiredness

Breathing Problems. While rare, levobunolol may cause the muscles around the airways to tighten (bronchospasm). Stop using levobunolol and get help right away if you have sudden breathing problems.

Low Blood Pressure. Levobunolol may rarely cause low blood pressure (hypotension). If you feel faint or dizzy, lie down. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of low blood pressure.

  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Confusion
  • Feeling weak or tired

 Heart Rate Changes. Levobunolol may rarely make your heart beat slower than normal (bradycardia). Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms. 

  • Feeling lightheaded, dizziness, or fainting
  • Confusion
  • Feeling weak or easily tired 
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath

Severe Allergic Reactions. Levobunolol may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using levobunolol and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use levobunolol?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use levobunolol.

  • Levobunolol
  • AKBeta
  • Betagan
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific levobunolol products they stock.

Breathing Problems. Levobunolol should not be used by people with asthma or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Certain Heart Problems. Levobunolol should not be used by people with the following heart conditions.

  • Heart failure, which is when your heart is not pumping as well as it should
  • Bradycardia, which is when your heart is beating too slow
  • Heart block, which is when the electrical signals in your heart are slowed
  • Cardiogenic shock, which is when your heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of your body

What should I know about levobunolol before using it?

Do not use levobunolol unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Use it as prescribed.

Do not share levobunolol with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep levobunolol out of the reach of children.

Levobunolol is an eye drop medicine. Make sure that you or a caregiver understands how to properly administer eye drops. If you have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider.

If you use more than one eye medicine, administer them at least five or ten minutes apart. Ask your healthcare provider if you are unsure about when to use your eye medicines.

Eye infections may occur if your levobunolol eye drop container gets contaminated with bacteria or other germs. In some cases, eye infections may become severe and lead to vision loss. To help prevent eye infections, be careful not to let the tip of the eye drop container touch your eye, fingers, or any other surfaces. Wash your hands before each use. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have an eye infection, eye injury, vision changes, or need to have eye surgery. Symptoms of an eye infection may include pink or itchy eyes, blurry vision or irritation, eye discharge, swollen eyelids, and fever.

Remove contact lenses before using levobunolol eye drops. Then wait at least 15 minutes after using levobunolol before you put your contacts back in.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using levobunolol?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if levobunolol is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • Heart problems
  • Breathing problems
  • Problems with blood circulation, such as Raynaud's syndrome
  • Diabetes
  • Thyroid disorders
  • Myasthenia gravis
  • Angle-closure glaucoma

Past or Planned Surgery. Using levobunolol may raise the risk of problems following a certain type of eye surgery for glaucoma. Also, using levobunolol may increase the risks with medicines commonly used during major surgery (anesthesia). Tell your healthcare provider if you had eye surgery in the past or if you have major surgery planned.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Levobunolol may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using levobunolol, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Sulfite Sensitivity. Some people who have a sulfite sensitivity may also be sensitive to levobunolol. Sulfites are chemicals that may be added to some foods and medicines. Reactions to sulfites can vary, ranging from mild skin rashes to severe asthma attacks or serious allergic reactions. Tell your healthcare provider if you are sensitive to sulfites. Your healthcare provider can help you decide if it is safe for you to use levobunolol.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how levobunolol could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if levobunolol passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use levobunolol while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does levobunolol interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between levobunolol and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect levobunolol.

Does levobunolol interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

 In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are taking any of the following medicines before using levobunolol.

  • A beta-blocker that you take by mouth, such as atenolol (Tenormin) or metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, and others), which is a medicine commonly used for high blood pressure or certain heart conditions
  • Other beta-blocker eye drops, such as timolol (Betimol, Timoptic) or betaxolol (Betoptic)
  • A calcium channel blocker, such as nifedipine (Procardia), which is a medicine commonly used for high blood pressure or certain heart conditions
  • Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
  • Epinephrine injection (Epipen, Auvi-Q, and others)
  • A phenothiazine, such as prochlorperazine or chlorpromazine, which is a medicine used to treat nausea or mental health problems, among other uses

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with levobunolol. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much levobunolol?

If you or someone else has used too much levobunolol, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of levobunolol?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only use the next dose. Do not use double or extra doses.