Carteolol Ophthalmic

Half-Life: 6 hr

Duration: 12 hr

Excretion: urine

Mechanism of Action

Beta-adrenergic receptor blocker

Use this medicine as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• For the eye only.
• Use carteolol at the same time of day.
• Use as you have been told, even if your signs get better.
• Do not touch the container tip to the eye, lid, or other skin.
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Tilt your head back and drop drug into the eye.
• After use, keep your eyes closed. Put pressure on the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 1 to 2 minutes. This keeps the drug in your eye.
• Blot extra solution from the eyelid.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Use a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not use 2 doses or extra doses.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Eye irritation.
• Burning.
• Tearing.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.

Solution, Ophthalmic, as hydrochloride:

Generic: 1% (5 mL, 10 mL, 15 mL)

Elevated intraocular pressure: Treatment of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma and intraocular hypertension.

For topical ophthalmic use only. Wash hands before use. To avoid contamination, do not touch dropper tip to eyelids or other surfaces when placing drops in eyes. Remove contact lenses prior to administration; wait 15 minutes before reinserting if using products containing benzalkonium chloride.

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.

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.

Data not available

Data not available

Caution is recommended. Excreted into human milk: Unknown Excreted into animal milk: Yes Comments: The effects in the nursing infant are unknown.