The significance of reactions to betaxolol reported by patients

Some patients may experience respiratory side effects on betaxolol in spite of the greater safety which is claimed for this ocular hypotensive drug compared with timolol. Six of 29 patients using betaxolol complained of wheeze or respiratory distress and five of these patients were rechallenged with betaxolol and a placebo in a double-masked clinical study, respiratory function being measured before and after each medication according to the American Thoracic Society guidelines. No patient showed any change in respiratory function either with betaxolol or the placebo. The findings further support the safety of betaxolol even in patients with respiratory disease, though some caution should be observed.