Betafix 10 mg Tablet

Cardio-selective beta-blocker for:

• High blood pressure
• Angina (chest pain)
• Stable chronic heart failure (with other medicines)
• Control of fast heart rate in atrial fibrillation (off-label)

Hypertension / angina: 5–10 mg once daily (start 2.5–5 mg); maximum 20 mg/day.

Heart failure: start 1.25 mg once daily, increase slowly every 1–2 weeks (2.5 → 3.75 → 5 → 7.5 → 10 mg) as tolerated; maximum 10 mg/day.

• Take in the morning, with or without food.
• Do not stop suddenly — reduce gradually over 1–2 weeks (risk of angina or heart attack).

• Acute or decompensated heart failure, cardiogenic shock
• Second- or third-degree heart block, sick sinus syndrome (without pacemaker), very slow heart rate (below 50–60/min)
• Very low blood pressure
• Severe asthma or severe COPD
• Severe peripheral arterial disease or Raynaud's
• Untreated phaeochromocytoma
• Metabolic acidosis

Common: tiredness, dizziness, headache, cold hands and feet, slow heart rate, nausea, diarrhoea or constipation; worsening heart failure at the start.

Less common: sleep problems, depression, low blood pressure on standing, muscle weakness, breathing problems in asthma/COPD.

Rare: nightmares, hearing problems, sexual dysfunction, worsening psoriasis.

• May hide signs of low blood sugar (fast heartbeat) in diabetes.
• Can mask signs of overactive thyroid.
• Use with care in COPD, psoriasis, peripheral circulation problems.
• Tell the anaesthetist before surgery.

Use only if clearly needed; may cause slow growth and low heart rate/blood sugar in the baby — monitor. Limited data in breastfeeding; watch the baby for slow heart rate.

• Verapamil, diltiazem (slow heart rate, heart block — avoid IV use together)
• Amiodarone, digoxin, clonidine (heart-rate effects; stopping clonidine can cause rebound)
• Other blood-pressure medicines (more lowering)
• Insulin and diabetes tablets (masked hypoglycaemia)
• NSAIDs (reduce effect)

Very slow heartbeat, low blood pressure, breathlessness, low blood sugar, heart failure. Emergency care.

Store below 30°C.