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 purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use carteolol ophthalmic if you have asthma, severe COPD, or serious heart problems such as very slow heartbeats, heart failure, or "AV block."

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Do not use while wearing soft contact lenses. A preservative in carteolol ophthalmic could permanently stain the lenses. Use the medicine at least 15 minutes before inserting your contact lenses.

Wash your hands before using eye medication.

To apply the eye drops: Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the dropper above the eye and squeeze a drop into this pocket. Close your eyes for 1 or 2 minutes.

Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed.

Do not touch the tip of the eye dropper or place it directly on your eye. A contaminated dropper can infect your eye, which could lead to serious vision problems.

Wait at least 10 minutes before using any other eye drops your doctor has prescribed.

Call your doctor right away if you have any eye injury or infection.

If you need surgery (especially eye surgery), tell your surgeon ahead of time that you currently use carteolol ophthalmic. You may need to stop for a short time.

Store at room temperature away from heat and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Usual Adult Dose for Intraocular Hypertension:

One drop in the affected eye(s) twice a day

Comments:
-If the intraocular pressure is not at a satisfactory level, concomitant therapy with pilocarpine and other miotics, and/or epinephrine or dipivefrin, and/or systemically administered carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, such as acetazolamide, may be instituted.

Use: Lowering of intraocular pressure in patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma and intraocular hypertension

Usual Adult Dose for Glaucoma (Open Angle):

One drop in the affected eye(s) twice a day

Comments:
-If the intraocular pressure is not at a satisfactory level, concomitant therapy with pilocarpine and other miotics, and/or epinephrine or dipivefrin, and/or systemically administered carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, such as acetazolamide, may be instituted.

Use: Lowering of intraocular pressure in patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma and intraocular hypertension

You should not use this carteolol ophthalmic if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• asthma, or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);

• slow heartbeats that have caused you to faint;

• severe heart failure; or

• a heart condition such as "AV block" (2nd or 3rd degree).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• breathing problems such as bronchitis or emphysema;

• heart disease, congestive heart failure;

• diabetes;

• a stroke or blood clot;

• a thyroid disorder; or

• a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include slow heartbeats, wheezing, feeling short of breath, or fainting.

carteolol ophthalmic may cause blurred vision and may impair your reactions. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you.

Do not use other eye medications unless your doctor tells you to.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Carteolol ophthalmic may cause serious side effects. Stop using carteolol ophthalmic and call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe itching, burning, or irritation in or around your eye;

• bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing);

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• fast, slow, or uneven heart rate;

• heart problems--swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath; or

• signs of eye infection--swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting or drainage.

Common side effects of carteolol ophthalmic may include:

• eye redness, irritation, or burning;

• watery eyes;

• blurred or cloudy vision;

• droopy or puffy eyelids;

• headache, dizziness, weakness;

• stuffy nose, sinus pain;

• altered sense of taste;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• decreased night vision; or

• your eyes may be more sensitive to light.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• a beta blocker--atenolol, carvedilol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, nebivolol, propranolol, sotalol, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect carteolol ophthalmic, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.