Version July 2025
Elevated intraocular pressure: Ophthalmic: Instill 1 drop in affected eye(s) twice daily.
Dosage adjustment for concomitant therapy: Significant drug interactions exist, requiring dose/frequency adjustment or avoidance. Consult drug interactions database for more information.
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer’s labeling.
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer’s labeling.
Refer to adult dosing.
The following adverse drug reactions and incidences are derived from product labeling unless otherwise specified.
>10%: Ophthalmic: Burning sensation of eyes, conjunctival edema, conjunctival hyperemia, eye irritation, lacrimation
Frequency not defined: Ophthalmic: Blepharoconjunctivitis, blepharoptosis, blurred vision, cloudy vision, corneal sensitivity, corneal staining, night blindness, photophobia
Postmarketing:
Cardiovascular: Cardiac arrhythmia, chest tightness (Wu 2019), palpitations, second-degree atrioventricular block (Ruiz-Ruiz 2002)
Gastrointestinal: Dysgeusia
Nervous system: Asthenia, dizziness, headache, insomnia
Respiratory: Dyspnea (Wu 2019), sinusitis
Hypersensitivity to carteolol or any component of the formulation; sinus bradycardia; second- or third-degree atrioventricular block; cardiogenic shock; bronchial asthma or history of bronchial asthma; severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; overt cardiac failure.
Concerns related to adverse events:
• Anaphylactic reactions: Use caution with history of atopy or a history of severe anaphylaxis to a variety of allergens; patients taking beta-blockers may become more sensitive to repeated challenges. Treatment of anaphylaxis (eg, epinephrine) in patients taking beta-blockers may be ineffective or promote undesirable effects.
• Choroidal detachment: Beta-blockade and/or other aqueous suppressive therapy have been associated with choroidal detachment following filtration procedures.
Disease-related concerns:
• Diabetes: Use with caution in patients with diabetes mellitus (especially labile diabetes); may potentiate hypoglycemia and/or mask signs and symptoms.
• Heart failure (HF): Use with caution in patients with compensated heart failure and monitor for a worsening of the condition; may lead to heart failure in patients without a history of heart failure. Use is contraindicated in overt heart failure. In a scientific statement from the American Heart Association, carteolol has been determined to be an agent that may exacerbate underlying myocardial dysfunction (magnitude: major) (AHA [Page 2016]).
• Myasthenia gravis: Use with caution in patients with myasthenia gravis; may worsen disease or other myasthenic symptoms (diplopia, ptosis, and generalized weakness).
• Peripheral vascular disease and Raynaud disease: Can precipitate or aggravate symptoms of arterial insufficiency in patients with peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and Raynaud disease. Use with caution and monitor for progression of arterial obstruction.
• Respiratory disease: In general, patients with bronchospastic disease should not receive beta-blockers; if used at all, should be used cautiously with close monitoring. Severe respiratory reactions, including fatalities due to bronchospasm in patients with asthma, have been reported with ophthalmic use. Use is contraindicated in bronchial asthma or history of bronchial asthma and severe COPD.
• Thyroid disease: May mask signs of hyperthyroidism (eg, tachycardia). If thyrotoxicosis is suspected, carefully manage and monitor; abrupt withdrawal may exacerbate symptoms of hyperthyroidism or precipitate thyroid storm.
Special populations:
• Contact lens wearers: Some products may contain benzalkonium chloride, which may be absorbed by soft contact lenses; remove lens prior to administration and wait 15 minutes before reinserting.
Dosage form specific issues:
• Absorption: Systemic absorption of carteolol and adverse effects may occur with ophthalmic use, including respiratory and cardiovascular effects (eg, bradycardia and/or hypotension).
• Appropriate use: Should not be used alone in angle-closure glaucoma (has no effect on pupillary constriction). Multidose vials have been associated with development of bacterial keratitis; avoid contamination.
• Surgery: May block systemic effects of beta agonists (eg, epinephrine, norepinephrine); notify anesthesiologist if patient is receiving ophthalmic beta blocker therapy. Patients undergoing planned major surgery should be gradually tapered off therapy (if possible) prior to procedure. If necessary during surgery, effects of beta blocker therapy may be reversed by adrenergic agonists.
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)
Yes
Solution (Carteolol HCl Ophthalmic)
1% (per mL): $4.01
Disclaimer: A representative AWP (Average Wholesale Price) price or price range is provided as reference price only. A range is provided when more than one manufacturer's AWP price is available and uses the low and high price reported by the manufacturers to determine the range. The pricing data should be used for benchmarking purposes only, and as such should not be used alone to set or adjudicate any prices for reimbursement or purchasing functions or considered to be an exact price for a single product and/or manufacturer. Medi-Span expressly disclaims all warranties of any kind or nature, whether express or implied, and assumes no liability with respect to accuracy of price or price range data published in its solutions. In no event shall Medi-Span be liable for special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from use of price or price range data. Pricing data is updated monthly.
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.
Elevated intraocular pressure: Treatment of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma and intraocular hypertension.
Carteolol may be confused with carvedilol
Substrate of CYP2D6 (Minor); Note: Assignment of Major/Minor substrate status based on clinically relevant drug interaction potential;
Note: Interacting drugs may not be individually listed below if they are part of a group interaction (eg, individual drugs within “CYP3A4 Inducers [Strong]” are NOT listed). For a complete list of drug interactions by individual drug name and detailed management recommendations, use the drug interactions program by clicking on the “Launch drug interactions program” link above.
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors: May increase bradycardic effects of Beta-Blockers. Risk C: Monitor
Alpha2-Agonists: Beta-Blockers may increase rebound hypertensive effects of Alpha2-Agonists. This effect can occur when the Alpha2-Agonist is abruptly withdrawn. Alpha2-Agonists may increase AV-blocking effects of Beta-Blockers. Sinus node dysfunction may also be enhanced. Management: Closely monitor heart rate during treatment with a beta blocker and clonidine. Withdraw beta blockers several days before clonidine withdrawal when possible, and monitor blood pressure closely. Recommendations for other alpha2-agonists are unavailable. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Amiodarone: May increase bradycardic effects of Beta-Blockers. Possibly to the point of cardiac arrest. Amiodarone may increase serum concentration of Beta-Blockers. Risk C: Monitor
Antidiabetic Agents: Beta-Blockers (Nonselective) may increase hypoglycemic effects of Antidiabetic Agents. Beta-Blockers (Nonselective) may increase adverse/toxic effects of Antidiabetic Agents. Specifically, beta-blockers may mask the hypoglycemic symptoms of antidiabetic agents. Risk C: Monitor
Antipsychotic Agents (Phenothiazines): May increase hypotensive effects of Beta-Blockers. Beta-Blockers may decrease metabolism of Antipsychotic Agents (Phenothiazines). Antipsychotic Agents (Phenothiazines) may decrease metabolism of Beta-Blockers. Risk C: Monitor
Beta2-Agonists: Beta-Blockers (Nonselective) may decrease bronchodilatory effects of Beta2-Agonists. Risk X: Avoid
Bradycardia-Causing Agents: May increase bradycardic effects of Bradycardia-Causing Agents. Risk C: Monitor
Cafedrine: May increase bradycardic effects of Beta-Blockers. Beta-Blockers may decrease therapeutic effects of Cafedrine. Risk C: Monitor
Cannabis: Beta-Blockers may increase adverse/toxic effects of Cannabis. Specifically, the risk of hypoglycemia may be increased. Risk C: Monitor
Ceritinib: Bradycardia-Causing Agents may increase bradycardic effects of Ceritinib. Management: If this combination cannot be avoided, monitor patients for evidence of symptomatic bradycardia, and closely monitor blood pressure and heart rate during therapy. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Cholinergic Agonists: Beta-Blockers may increase adverse/toxic effects of Cholinergic Agonists. Of particular concern are the potential for cardiac conduction abnormalities and bronchoconstriction. Risk C: Monitor
Dipyridamole: May increase bradycardic effects of Beta-Blockers. Risk C: Monitor
Disopyramide: May increase bradycardic effects of Beta-Blockers. Beta-Blockers may increase negative inotropic effects of Disopyramide. Risk C: Monitor
DOBUTamine: Beta-Blockers may decrease therapeutic effects of DOBUTamine. Risk C: Monitor
Dronedarone: May increase bradycardic effects of Beta-Blockers. Dronedarone may increase serum concentration of Beta-Blockers. This likely applies only to those agents that are metabolized by CYP2D6. Management: Use lower initial beta-blocker doses; adequate tolerance of the combination, based on ECG findings, should be confirmed prior to any increase in beta-blocker dose. Increase monitoring for clinical response and adverse effects. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
EPHEDrine (Systemic): Beta-Blockers may decrease therapeutic effects of EPHEDrine (Systemic). Risk C: Monitor
EPINEPHrine (Nasal): Beta-Blockers (Nonselective) may increase hypertensive effects of EPINEPHrine (Nasal). Risk C: Monitor
EPINEPHrine (Oral Inhalation): Beta-Blockers (Nonselective) may increase hypertensive effects of EPINEPHrine (Oral Inhalation). Risk C: Monitor
EPINEPHrine (Systemic): Beta-Blockers (Nonselective) may increase hypertensive effects of EPINEPHrine (Systemic). Risk C: Monitor
Ergot Derivatives (Vasoconstrictive CYP3A4 Substrates): Beta-Blockers may increase vasoconstricting effects of Ergot Derivatives (Vasoconstrictive CYP3A4 Substrates). Risk C: Monitor
Etilefrine: Beta-Blockers may decrease therapeutic effects of Etilefrine. Etilefrine may increase bradycardic effects of Beta-Blockers. Risk C: Monitor
Etofylline: Beta-Blockers may decrease therapeutic effects of Etofylline. Risk X: Avoid
Etrasimod: May increase bradycardic effects of Bradycardia-Causing Agents. Risk C: Monitor
Fexinidazole: Bradycardia-Causing Agents may increase arrhythmogenic effects of Fexinidazole. Risk X: Avoid
Fingolimod: Bradycardia-Causing Agents may increase bradycardic effects of Fingolimod. Management: Consult with the prescriber of any bradycardia-causing agent to see if the agent could be switched to an agent that does not cause bradycardia prior to initiating fingolimod. If combined, perform continuous ECG monitoring after the first fingolimod dose. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Grass Pollen Allergen Extract (5 Grass Extract): Beta-Blockers may increase adverse/toxic effects of Grass Pollen Allergen Extract (5 Grass Extract). More specifically, Beta-Blockers may inhibit the ability to effectively treat severe allergic reactions to Grass Pollen Allergen Extract (5 Grass Extract) with epinephrine. Some other effects of epinephrine may be unaffected or even enhanced (e.g., vasoconstriction) during treatment with Beta-Blockers. Management: Consider alternatives to either grass pollen allergen extract (5 grass extract) or beta-blockers in patients with indications for both agents. Canadian product labeling specifically lists this combination as contraindicated. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Insulin: Beta-Blockers (Nonselective) may increase hypoglycemic effects of Insulin. Beta-Blockers (Nonselective) may decrease therapeutic effects of Insulin. Risk C: Monitor
Isoproterenol: Beta-Blockers may decrease therapeutic effects of Isoproterenol. Risk C: Monitor
Ivabradine: Bradycardia-Causing Agents may increase bradycardic effects of Ivabradine. Risk C: Monitor
Lacosamide: Bradycardia-Causing Agents may increase AV-blocking effects of Lacosamide. Risk C: Monitor
Landiolol: Bradycardia-Causing Agents may increase bradycardic effects of Landiolol. Risk X: Avoid
Mavacamten: Beta-Blockers may increase adverse/toxic effects of Mavacamten. Specifically, negative inotropic effects may be increased. Risk C: Monitor
Methacholine: Beta-Blockers may increase adverse/toxic effects of Methacholine. Risk C: Monitor
Midodrine: May increase bradycardic effects of Bradycardia-Causing Agents. Risk C: Monitor
Mivacurium: Beta-Blockers may increase therapeutic effects of Mivacurium. Risk C: Monitor
NIFEdipine (Topical): May increase adverse/toxic effects of Beta-Blockers. Risk C: Monitor
NIFEdipine: May increase hypotensive effects of Beta-Blockers. NIFEdipine may increase negative inotropic effects of Beta-Blockers. Risk C: Monitor
Nitrendipine: May increase therapeutic effects of Beta-Blockers. Risk C: Monitor
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents (Topical): May decrease therapeutic effects of Beta-Blockers. Risk C: Monitor
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents: May decrease antihypertensive effects of Beta-Blockers. Risk C: Monitor
Opipramol: Beta-Blockers may increase serum concentration of Opipramol. Opipramol may increase serum concentration of Beta-Blockers. Risk C: Monitor
Ozanimod: May increase bradycardic effects of Bradycardia-Causing Agents. Risk C: Monitor
Ponesimod: Bradycardia-Causing Agents may increase bradycardic effects of Ponesimod. Management: Avoid coadministration of ponesimod with drugs that may cause bradycardia when possible. If combined, monitor heart rate closely and consider obtaining a cardiology consult. Do not initiate ponesimod in patients on beta-blockers if HR is less than 55 bpm. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Reserpine: May increase hypotensive effects of Beta-Blockers. Reserpine may increase bradycardic effects of Beta-Blockers. Risk C: Monitor
Rivastigmine: May increase bradycardic effects of Beta-Blockers. Risk X: Avoid
Siponimod: Bradycardia-Causing Agents may increase bradycardic effects of Siponimod. Management: Avoid coadministration of siponimod with drugs that may cause bradycardia. If combined, consider obtaining a cardiology consult regarding patient monitoring. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Succinylcholine: Beta-Blockers may increase neuromuscular-blocking effects of Succinylcholine. Risk C: Monitor
Sulfonylureas: Beta-Blockers (Nonselective) may increase hypoglycemic effects of Sulfonylureas. Beta-Blockers (Nonselective) may decrease therapeutic effects of Sulfonylureas. Risk C: Monitor
Tasimelteon: Beta-Blockers may decrease therapeutic effects of Tasimelteon. Management: Consider avoiding nighttime administration of beta-blockers during tasimelteon therapy due to the potential for reduced tasimelteon efficacy. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Theodrenaline: May increase bradycardic effects of Beta-Blockers. Beta-Blockers may decrease therapeutic effects of Theodrenaline. Risk C: Monitor
Theophylline Derivatives: Beta-Blockers (Nonselective) may decrease bronchodilatory effects of Theophylline Derivatives. Risk C: Monitor
White Birch Allergen Extract: Beta-Blockers may increase adverse/toxic effects of White Birch Allergen Extract. Specifically, beta-blockers may reduce the effectiveness of beta-agonists that may be required to treat systemic reactions to white birch allergen extract. Risk X: Avoid
Adverse events were observed in some animal reproduction studies. The same adverse effects observed with systemic administration of beta-blockers may occur following ophthalmic use of carteolol. If ophthalmic agents are needed for the treatment of glaucoma during pregnancy, the minimum effective dose should be used in combination with punctal occlusion to decrease potential exposure to the fetus (Johnson 2001; Salim 2014; Samples 1988).
It is not known if carteolol is excreted in breast milk following ophthalmic administration. The minimum effective dose should be used in combination with punctual occlusion to decrease potential exposure to the nursing infant (Johnson 2001; Samples 1988). The manufacturer recommends that caution be exercised when administering carteolol (ophthalmic) to nursing women.
Intraocular pressure; monitor for systemic effect of beta-blockade with ophthalmic administration; blood pressure
Blocks both beta1- and beta2-adrenergic receptors and reduces intraocular pressure by reducing aqueous humor production or possibly increases the outflow of aqueous humor
Absorption: ~25% of ophthalmic dose is absorbed systemically (Chrisp 1992)
Metabolism: Hepatic via CYP2D6 (Henness 2007)
Half-life elimination: ~5 hours (urinary elimination); 13.8 hours (terminal) (Henness 2007)
Time to peak: Plasma 0.25 hours (Henness 2007)
Excretion: Urine (Henness 2007)
