Betagan Side Effects

Generic name: levobunolol ophthalmic

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 9, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Betagan Side Effects associated with levobunolol ophthalmic. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Betagan.

Applies to levobunolol ophthalmic: ophthalmic solution.

Serious side effects of Betagan

Along with its needed effects, levobunolol ophthalmic (the active ingredient contained in Betagan) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking levobunolol ophthalmic:

More common side effects

• burning or stinging in the eye
• drainage from the eye
• redness, swelling, or itching of the eye and eyelid

Less common side effects

• blurred vision
• chest pain or discomfort
• confusion
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• slow or irregular heartbeat
• sweating
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare side effects

• eye pain
• headache
• hives or welts, itching, or skin rash
• redness of the skin
• shakiness and unsteady walk
• tearing
• unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
• unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness

Incidence not determined

• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• chills
• cough
• decreased urine output
• diarrhea
• difficult or labored breathing
• difficulty in chewing, swallowing, or talking
• dilated neck veins
• disturbed color perception
• double vision
• drooping eyelids
• extreme tiredness or weakness
• fast, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• fever
• halos around lights
• hoarseness
• inability to speak
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• muscle pain or weakness
• night blindness
• no blood pressure or pulse
• noisy breathing
• overbright appearance of lights
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• seeing double
• seizures
• severe numbness, especially on one side of the face or body
• severe or sudden headache
• slurred speech
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• stopping of the heart
• swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, fingers, feet, or lower legs
• temporary blindness
• tightness in the chest
• tunnel vision
• unconsciousness
• weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe
• weight gain

Other side effects of Betagan

Some side effects of levobunolol ophthalmic may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not determined

• decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• discouragement
• feeling of having something in the eye
• feeling sad or empty
• inability to have or keep an erection
• irritability
• lack of appetite
• lack or loss of strength
• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• loss of interest or pleasure
• nausea
• stuffy nose
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping

For healthcare professionals

Applies to levobunolol ophthalmic: ophthalmic solution.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported side effects were ocular burning/stinging, blepharoconjunctivitis, eye irritation, and eye pain.^[Ref]

Ocular

• Very common (10% or more): Eye irritation, eye pain
• Common (1% to 10%): Blepharitis, conjunctivitis
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Iridocyclitis
• Frequency not reported: Conjunctival/ocular hyperemia, allergic conjunctivitis, decreased corneal reflex, keratitis, blurred vision, punctate keratitis, eye/eyelids pruritus, eye/eyelid edema, eye discharge, increased lacrimation, dry eye, choroidal detachment following filtration surgery, corneal erosion, diplopia, ptosis, corneal calcification, decreased corneal sensitivity, blepharoptosis, eye allergy, foreign body sensation^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Frequency not reported: Asthma, dyspnea, throat irritation, nasal discomfort, bronchospasm (predominantly in patients with pre-existing bronchospastic disease), cough, respiratory failure, nasal congestion^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Frequency not reported: Raynaud's phenomenon, syncope, bradycardia, atrioventricular block, palpitations, hypotension, arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, cardiac failure, chest pain, congestive heart failure, cold hands and feet^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic reaction, systemic allergic reactions including angioedema^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Transient ataxia
• Frequency not reported: Confusion, dizziness, somnolence, lethargy, headache, memory loss, cerebral ischemia, cerebrovascular accident, increases in signs and symptoms of myasthenia gravis, paresthesia, dysgeusia^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Frequency not reported: Nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dry mouth, dyspepsia, vomiting^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Frequency not reported: Decreased libido, sexual dysfunction, impotence^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Frequency not reported: Myalgia^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Depression, insomnia, nightmares^[Ref]

Other

• Frequency not reported: Edema, fatigue, asthenia^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, urticaria, contact dermatitis (including allergic contact dermatitis), rash, skin exfoliation, lichenoid keratosis, pruritus, erythema of eyelid, eyelid eczema, alopecia, psoriasiform rash, exacerbation of psoriasis^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Hypoglycemia, masked symptoms of hypoglycemia in insulin-dependent diabetics^[Ref]

Further information

Betagan side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer