Levobetaxolol is a drug used to lower the pressure in the eye in treating conditions such as

glaucoma Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that result in damage to the optic nerve (or retina) and cause vision loss. The most common type is open-angle (wide angle, chronic simple) glaucoma, in which the drainage angle for fluid within the eye rem ...

. It is marketed as a 0.25 or 0.5% ophthalmic solution of levobetaxolol hydrochloride under the

trade name A trade name, trading name, or business name, is a pseudonym used by companies that do not operate under their registered company name. The term for this type of alternative name is a "fictitious" business name. Registering the fictitious name w ...

Betaxon. Levobetaxolol is a

beta-adrenergic Adrenergic means "working on adrenaline (epinephrine) or noradrenaline (norepinephrine)" (or on their receptors). When not further qualified, it is usually used in the sense of enhancing or mimicking the effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine in ...

receptor inhibitor (

beta blocker Beta blockers, also spelled β-blockers, are a class of medications that are predominantly used to manage abnormal heart rhythms, and to protect the heart from a second heart attack after a first heart attack ( secondary prevention). They are ...

Indications

It is indicated for intraocular pressure reduction in patients with

open-angle glaucoma Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that result in damage to the optic nerve (or retina) and cause vision loss. The most common type is open-angle (wide angle, chronic simple) glaucoma, in which the drainage angle for fluid within the eye rem ...

ocular hypertension Ocular hypertension is the presence of elevated fluid pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure), usually with no optic nerve damage or visual field loss. For most individuals, the normal range of intraocular pressure is between 10 mmHg and 2 ...

Effect

Levobetaxolol inhibits the beta-1-adrenergic receptor. When applied topically, it reduces intra-ocular pressure (IOP) by 16-23% depending on time of day and the individual. It also has neuroprotective effects. Levobetaxolol has fewer cardiovascular side effects than other beta blockers.

Contraindications and side effects

Levobetaxolol should not be used by people who have

sinus bradycardia Sinus bradycardia is a sinus node dysfunction giving a heart rate that is lower than the normal 60–100 beats per minute (bpm) in humans. Bradycardia is generally defined to be a heart rate of under 60 bpm. Signs and symptoms The decreased hea ...

atrioventricular block Atrioventricular block (AV block) is a type of heart block that occurs when the electrical signal traveling from the atria, or the upper chambers of the heart, to ventricles, or the lower chambers of the heart, is impaired. Normally, the sinoatr ...

, cardiogenic shock, or overt cardiac failure. The drug has been associated with bradycardia and hypertension.

History

Levobetaxolol was developed in the 1980s. It was FDA approved in 2000.

References

{{Antiglaucoma preparations and miotics Beta blockers N-isopropyl-phenoxypropanolamines Enantiopure drugs Isopropyl compounds Cyclopropanes