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Uses

What is carteolol ophthalmic (eye) used for?

Carteolol ophthalmic is commonly used to lower pressure inside the eye in people with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. These conditions cause increased pressure inside the eye.

Carteolol ophthalmic may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does carteolol ophthalmic work (mechanism of action)?

High pressure inside the eye can lead to nerve damage and vision loss. Carteolol ophthalmic helps to lower pressure inside the eye. It works by reducing the amount of fluid in your eye.

How is carteolol ophthalmic supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Ocupress

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 1% ophthalmic solution (eye drops)

How should I store carteolol ophthalmic?

Carteolol ophthalmic should be stored at room temperature, between 59 F to 77 F (15 C to 25 C). Protect from light and keep the cap on the bottle when not in use. 

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of carteolol ophthalmic?

The most common side effects of carteolol ophthalmic are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Burning and stinging after you put the drop in your eye
  • Blurry or cloudy vision
  • Redness, tearing, fluid buildup, or other irritation in the eye area 
  • Headache

There may be other side effects of carteolol ophthalmic that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of carteolol ophthalmic?

While less common, the most serious side effects of carteolol ophthalmic are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

New or Worsening Heart Failure. Carteolol ophthalmic mainly works in the eye, but may be absorbed into the blood and affect other parts of the body, such as the heart. While rare, carteolol ophthalmic may cause or worsen heart failure, which is a condition where the heart is not pumping as well as it should. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of heart failure.

  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially while lying down
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Unusually fast weight gain
  • Unusual tiredness

Breathing Problems. While rare, carteolol ophthalmic may cause the muscles around the airways to tighten (bronchospasm). Stop using carteolol ophthalmic and get help right away if you have sudden breathing problems.

Low Blood Pressure. Carteolol ophthalmic may rarely cause low blood pressure (hypotension). If you feel faint or dizzy, lie down. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of low blood pressure.

  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Confusion
  • Feeling weak or tired

Heart Rate Changes. Carteolol ophthalmic may rarely make your heart beat slower than normal (bradycardia). Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms. 

  • Feeling lightheaded, dizziness, or fainting
  • Confusion
  • Feeling weak or easily tired 
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath

Severe Allergic Reactions. Carteolol ophthalmic may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using carteolol ophthalmic and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use carteolol ophthalmic?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use carteolol ophthalmic.

  • Carteolol
  • Ocupress
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific carteolol ophthalmic products they stock.

Breathing Problems. Carteolol ophthalmic should not be used by people with asthma or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Certain Heart Problems. Carteolol ophthalmic should not be used by people with the following heart conditions.

  • Heart failure, which is when your heart is not pumping as well as it should
  • Bradycardia, which is when your heart is beating too slow
  • Heart block, which is when the electrical signals in your heart are slowed
  • Cardiogenic shock, which is when your heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of your body

What should I know about carteolol ophthalmic before using it?

Do not use carteolol ophthalmic unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Use it as prescribed.

Do not share carteolol ophthalmic with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep carteolol ophthalmic out of the reach of children.

Carteolol ophthalmic is an eye drop medicine. Make sure that you or a caregiver understands how to properly administer eye drops. If you have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider.

If you use more than one eye medicine, administer them at least five to ten minutes apart. Ask your healthcare provider if you are unsure about when to use your eye medicines.

Eye infections may occur if your carteolol eye drop container gets contaminated with bacteria or other germs. In some cases, eye infections may become severe and lead to vision loss. To help prevent eye infections, be careful not to let the tip of the eye drop container touch your eye, fingers, or any other surfaces. Wash your hands before each use. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have an eye infection, eye injury, vision changes, or need to have eye surgery. Symptoms of an eye infection may include pink or itchy eyes, blurry vision or irritation, eye discharge, swollen eyelids, and fever.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using carteolol ophthalmic?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if carteolol ophthalmic is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • Heart problems
  • Breathing problems
  • Diabetes
  • Thyroid disorders
  • Myasthenia gravis
  • Angle-closure glaucoma

Planned Surgery. Using carteolol ophthalmic may increase the risks with medicines commonly used during major surgery (anesthesia). Tell your healthcare provider if you have major surgery planned.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Carteolol ophthalmic may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using carteolol ophthalmic, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how carteolol ophthalmic could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if carteolol ophthalmic passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use carteolol ophthalmic while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does carteolol ophthalmic interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between carteolol ophthalmic and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect carteolol ophthalmic.

Does carteolol ophthalmic interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

 In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are taking any of the following medicines before using carteolol ophthalmic.

  • A beta-blocker that you take by mouth, such as atenolol (Tenormin) or metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, and others), which is a medicine commonly used for high blood pressure or certain heart conditions
  • Other beta-blocker eye drops, such as levobunolol (AKBeta, Betagan) or betaxolol (Betoptic)
  • Epinephrine injection (Epipen, Auvi-Q, and others)

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with carteolol ophthalmic. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much carteolol ophthalmic?

If you or someone else has used too much carteolol ophthalmic, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of carteolol ophthalmic?

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only use the next dose. Do not use double or extra doses.