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Look Up > Drugs > Levobunolol
Levobunolol
Pronunciation
U.S. Brand Names
Generic Available
Synonyms
Pharmacological Index
Use
Pregnancy Risk Factor
Contraindications
Warnings/Precautions
Adverse Reactions
Overdosage/Toxicology
Drug Interactions
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics
Usual Dosage
Monitoring Parameters
Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status
Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment
Dental Health: Local Anesthetic/Vasoconstrictor Precautions
Dental Health: Effects on Dental Treatment
Patient Information
Nursing Implications
Dosage Forms

Pronunciation
(lee voe BYOO noe lole)

U.S. Brand Names
AKBeta®; Betagan® Liquifilm®

Generic Available

No


Synonyms
l-Bunolol Hydrochloride; Levobunolol Hydrochloride

Pharmacological Index

Beta Blocker, Nonselective; Ophthalmic Agent, Antiglaucoma


Use

To lower intraocular pressure in chronic open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension


Pregnancy Risk Factor

C


Contraindications

Known hypersensitivity to levobunolol; bronchial asthma, severe COPD, sinus bradycardia, second or third degree A-V block, cardiac failure, cardiogenic shock


Warnings/Precautions

Use with caution in patients with congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism; contains metabisulfite. Because systemic absorption does occur with ophthalmic administration, the elderly with other disease states or syndromes that may be affected by a beta-blocker (CHF, COPD, etc) should be monitored closely.


Adverse Reactions

>10%: Ocular: Stinging/burning eyes

1% to 10%:

Cardiovascular: Bradycardia, arrhythmia, hypotension

Central nervous system: Dizziness, headache

Dermatologic: Alopecia, erythema

Local: Stinging, burning

Ocular: Blepharoconjunctivitis, conjunctivitis

Respiratory: Bronchospasm

<1%: Rash, itching, visual disturbances, keratitis, decreased visual acuity


Overdosage/Toxicology

Symptoms of intoxication include cardiac disturbances, CNS toxicity, bronchospasm, hypoglycemia and hyperkalemia. The most common cardiac symptoms include hypotension and bradycardia; atrioventricular block, intraventricular conduction disturbances, cardiogenic shock, and asystole may occur with severe overdose, especially with membrane-depressant drugs (eg, propranolol); CNS effects include convulsions, coma, and respiratory arrest is commonly seen with propranolol and other membrane-depressant and lipid-soluble drugs

Treatment includes symptomatic treatment of seizures, hypotension, hyperkalemia and hypoglycemia; bradycardia and hypotension resistant to atropine, isoproterenol or pacing may respond to glucagon; wide QRS defects caused by the membrane-depressant poisoning may respond to hypertonic sodium bicarbonate; repeat-dose charcoal, hemoperfusion, or hemodialysis may be helpful in removal of only those beta-blockers with a small Vd, long half-life or low intrinsic clearance (acebutolol, atenolol, nadolol, sotalol).


Drug Interactions

Increased toxicity:

Ophthalmic epinephrine (increased blood pressure/loss of IOP effect)

Quinidine (sinus bradycardia)

Verapamil (bradycardia and asystole have been reported)


Mechanism of Action

A nonselective beta-adrenergic blocking agent that lowers intraocular pressure by reducing aqueous humor production and possibly increases the outflow of aqueous humor


Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics

Onset of action: Decreases in intraocular pressure (IOP) can be noted within 1 hour

Peak effect: 2-6 hours

Duration: 1-7 days

Elimination: Not well defined


Usual Dosage

Adults: Instill 1 drop in the affected eye(s) 1-2 times/day


Monitoring Parameters

Intraocular pressure, heart rate, funduscopic exam, visual field testing


Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status

May cause dizziness


Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment

May increase the effects of oral beta-blockers


Dental Health: Local Anesthetic/Vasoconstrictor Precautions

No information available to require special precautions


Dental Health: Effects on Dental Treatment

No effects or complications reported


Patient Information

May sting on instillation, do not touch dropper to eye; visual acuity may be decreased after administration; night vision may be decreased; distance vision may be altered; apply finger pressure between the bridge of the nose and corner of the eye to decrease systemic absorption; assess patient's or caregiver's ability to administer


Nursing Implications

Apply finger pressure over nasolacrimal duct to decrease systemic absorption


Dosage Forms

Solution, ophthalmic, as hydrochloride: 0.25% (5 mL, 10 mL, 15 mL); 0.5% (2 mL, 5 mL, 10 mL, 15 mL)


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