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What is Carteolol Ophthalmic? 

Carteolol is a beta-blocker that reduces pressure inside the eye. 

Carteolol ophthalmic (for the eyes) is used to treat open-angle glaucoma and other causes of high pressure inside the eye. 

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

What  is the most important information I should know about carteolol ophthalmic? 

Do not use this medication if  you are allergic to carteolol, or if  you have asthma, or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or a heart condition called "AV block." 

Before using this medication, tell  your doctor if you have breathing problems such as bronchitis or emphysema, a history of heart disease or congestive heart failure, diabetes, history of stroke, blood clot, or circulation problems, a thyroid disorder, or a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis. 

Do not allow the dropper  to touch any surface, including the eyes or hands. If the dropper becomes contaminated it could cause an infection in your eye, which can lead  to vision loss or serious damage to the eye. 

Carteolol ophthalmic is sometimes given together with other eye medications to treat glaucoma.  Do not use any other eye medication unless your doctor has prescribed it for you.  If you use another eye medication, use  it at least 10 minutes before or after using carteolol ophthalmic. Do not use the medications at the same time. 

Carteolol ophthalmic can  cause blurred vision. Be careful if you drive  or do anything that requires you to be able to see clearly. Do not use this medication while you are wearing contact lenses. Carteolol ophthalmic may contain a preservative that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using carteolol before putting your contact lenses in. 

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using carteolol ophthalmic? 

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to carteolol, or if you have: 

  • asthma, or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); 
  • slow heartbeats; or 
  • a heart condition called "AV block." 
  • If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication: 
  • breathing problems such as bronchitis or emphysema; 
  • a history of heart disease or congestive heart failure; 
  • diabetes;
  • history of stroke,  blood clot, or circulation problems; 
  • a thyroid disorder; or 
  • a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis. 
Carteolol ophthalmic is FDA pregnancy category C. It  is not known whether carteolol ophthalmic is harmful to an unborn baby. Before using this medication, tell  your doctor if you are pregnant  or plan  to become pregnant during treatment.  It is not known whether carteolol passes into breast milk or if it could harm  a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling  your doctor if  you are breast-feeding a baby. 

How should I use  Carteolol Ophthalmic? 

Use carteolol ophthalmic exactly as it was prescribed for you.  Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use  it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label. 

Wash your hands before using the eye drops.  Do not use this medication while you are wearing contact lenses. Carteolol ophthalmic may contain a preservative that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using carteolol before putting  your contact lenses in. 

To apply the eye drops: 
  • Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid. Hold the dropper above the eye with the dropper tip down. Look up and away from the dropper as you squeeze out a drop, and then close your eye. 
  • Gently press your finger to the inside corner of the eye (near your nose) for about 1 minute to keep the liquid from draining into your tear duct. If you use more than one drop in the same eye, wait about 5 minutes before putting in the next drop. 
  • Do not allow the dropper tip to touch any surface, including the eyes or hands. If the dropper becomes contaminated it could cause an infection in your eye, which can lead to vision loss or serious damage to the eye. 
  • Do not use the eye drops if the liquid has changed colors or has particles  in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription. 
  • Tell your doctor right away if you have any eye injury or infection. If you have any type of surgery, including eye surgery, tell  the surgeon ahead  of time that you are using carteolol ophthalmic. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.  Store this medication  at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not  in use. 
What happens if I miss a dose? 

Use  the medication as soon as you remember. If it  is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine  to make up  the missed dose. 

What happens if I overdose? 

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much  of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include slow heart rate, wheezing, feeling short of breath, swelling, rapid weight gain, or fainting. 

What should I avoid while using carteolol ophthalmic? 

Carteolol ophthalmic can cause blurred vision. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be able to see clearly. 

Carteolol ophthalmic is sometimes given together with other eye medications to treat glaucoma. Do not use any other eye medication unless your doctor has prescribed it for you. If you use another eye medication, use it at least 10 minutes before or after using carteolol ophthalmic. Do not use the medications at the same time.
Carteolol ophthalmic side effects
 

  • Get emergency medical help if you have any  of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of  your face, lips, tongue,  or throat. Stop using this medication and  call your doctor  at once if you have any of these serious side effects: 
  • severe swelling, itching, burning, redness, pain, or discomfort in or around your eye; 
  • drainage, crusting, or oozing of your eyes or eyelids; 
  • bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing); 
  • slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing (breathing may stop); 
  • fast or pounding heartbeats; 
  • feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion; or 
  • Swelling, rapid weight gain. 
  • Less serious side effects may include: 
  • mild burning, stinging, itching, or watering of your eyes; 
  • blurred or cloudy vision; 
  • mildly swollen or puffy eyes; 
  • increased sensitivity of  your eyes  to light; 
  • trouble seeing at night; 
  • droopy eyelids; 
  • headache, dizziness, depression ; 
  • muscle weakness; 
  • sleep problems (insomnia); 
  • stuffy nose; or 
  • Nausea, altered sense of taste. 
This is not a complete list of side effects and others  may occur. Tell  your doctor about any unusual  or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA 

Carteolol Ophthalmic Dosing Information 

Usual Adult Dose for Intraocular Hypertension:
Instill 1 drop in the affected eye(s) twice daily. 

Usual Adult Dose for Glaucoma (Open Angle): 

Instill 1 drop in the affected eye(s) twice daily. 

What other drugs will affect carteolol ophthalmic? 

Before using carteolol ophthalmic, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs: 
  • oral carteolol (Blocadren); 
  • digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin); 
  • reserpine;
  • insulin or diabetes medications you take by mouth; 
  • any other beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol (Zebeta), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), timolol (Blocadren), and others; 
  • a calcium channel blocker such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Tiazac, Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Nifedical, Procardia, Adalat), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); or 
  • Medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), mesoridazine (Serentil), or thioridazine (Mellaril). 
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with carteolol ophthalmic. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. 

Where can I get more information? 
  • Your pharmacist can provide more information about carteolol ophthalmic. 
  • Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. 
  • Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. 

Notes:
DrJMinor
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EditText of this page (last edited January 9, 2010)

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