Levobunolol ophthalmic (for the eyes) is a beta-blocker that is used to treat open-angle glaucoma and other causes of high pressure inside the eye.

Levobunolol ophthalmic may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use levobunolol ophthalmic if you have asthma, severe COPD, slow heartbeats, or a heart condition called "AV block."

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Do not use while wearing soft contact lenses. A preservative in levobunolol ophthalmic could permanently stain the lenses. Use the medicine at least 15 minutes before inserting your contact lenses.

Wash your hands before using eye medication.

To apply the eye drops: Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the dropper above the eye and squeeze a drop into this pocket. Close your eyes for 1 or 2 minutes.

Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed.

Do not touch the tip of the eye dropper or place it directly on your eye. A contaminated dropper can infect your eye, which could lead to serious vision problems.

Store at room temperature away from heat and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any eye injury or infection. If you have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using levobunolol ophthalmic. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Usual Adult Dose for Intraocular Hypertension:

0.25% solution: One to two drops in the affected eye(s) twice a day
0.5% solution: One to two drops in the affected eye(s) once a day

Comments:
-In patients with more severe or uncontrolled glaucoma, the 0.5% solution can be administered twice a day.
-If intraocular pressure is not at a satisfactory level, concomitant therapy with dipivefrin and/or epinephrine, and/or pilocarpine and other miotics, and/or systemically administered carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, such as acetazolamide, can be instituted.
-Patients should not use two or more topical ophthalmic beta-adrenergic blocking drugs concomitantly.

Use: Lowering intraocular pressure in patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma and intraocular hypertension

Usual Adult Dose for Glaucoma (Open Angle):

0.25% solution: One to two drops in the affected eye(s) twice a day
0.5% solution: One to two drops in the affected eye(s) once a day

Comments:
-In patients with more severe or uncontrolled glaucoma, the 0.5% solution can be administered twice a day.
-If intraocular pressure is not at a satisfactory level, concomitant therapy with dipivefrin and/or epinephrine, and/or pilocarpine and other miotics, and/or systemically administered carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, such as acetazolamide, can be instituted.
-Patients should not use two or more topical ophthalmic beta-adrenergic blocking drugs concomitantly.

Use: Lowering intraocular pressure in patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma and intraocular hypertension

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to levobunolol, or if you have:

• asthma, or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);

• slow heartbeats; or

• a heart condition called "AV block."

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• breathing problems such as bronchitis or emphysema;

• heart problems;

• peripheral vascular disease such as Raynaud's syndrome;

• diabetes;

• a thyroid disorder; or

• a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include slow heart rate, feeling light-headed, or shortness of breath.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how levobunolol ophthalmic will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Levobunolol ophthalmic may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe swelling, itching, burning, redness, pain, or discomfort in or around your eye;

• bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing);

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• slow heart rate, weak pulse; or

• numbness, cold feeling, or pale appearance of your fingers or toes.

Common side effects of levobunolol ophthalmic may include:

• mild burning, stinging, or eye discomfort;

• feeling like something is in your eye;

• blurred vision;

• dizziness, weakness;

• headache; or

• rash or itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially heart or blood pressure medications.

Other drugs may affect levobunolol ophthalmic, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Keep all appointments with your doctor. Your doctor will order certain eye tests to check your response to levobunolol eye drops.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.