Betaxolol: A comprehensive profile

Betaxolol is a relatively cardioselective β-adrenoceptor blocking drug, with no partial agonist (intrinsic sympathomimetic) activity and weak membrane-stabilizing (local anesthetic) activity. Betaxolol selectively and competitively binds to and blocks beta-1 (β1) adrenergic receptors in the heart, thereby decreasing cardiac contractility and rate. This leads to a reduction in cardiac output and lowers blood pressure. When applied topically in the eye, this agent reduces aqueous humor secretion and lowers the intraocular pressure (IOP). In addition, betaxolol prevents the release of renin, a hormone secreted by the kidneys that causes constriction of blood vessels. Betaxolol (S)-(-)-enantiomer shows higher pharmacological activity. This chapter provides a complete review of nomenclature, physiochemical properties, methods of preparation, identification techniques and various qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques as well as pharmacology of betaxolol. In addition, the chapter also includes review of several methods for enantiomeric separation betaxolol using chromatographic techniques.