Carteolol

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Use this medication in the affected eye(s) as directed by your doctor, usually 1 drop twice daily. Use in the eye only. Do not swallow or inject. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Follow your doctor's directions on how to use this medication. To apply eye drops, wash your hands first. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface. Before using, check this product visually for brown discoloration, cloudiness, or particles. If any of these is present, do not use the eye drops. The preservative in this product may be absorbed by contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses, remove them before using your eye drops. Wait at least 15 minutes after using this medication before putting your contact lenses back in. Tilt your head back, look upward, and pull down the lower eyelid to make a pouch. Hold the dropper directly over the eye and place one drop in the pouch. Look downward and gently close your eyes for 1-2 minutes. Place one finger at the corner of the eye near the nose and apply gentle pressure. This will prevent the medication from draining out. Try not to blink and do not rub the eye. Repeat these steps for your other eye if directed by your doctor. Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap after each use. If you are using another kind of eye medication (such as drops or ointments), wait at least 10 minutes before applying other medications. Use the eye drops before eye ointments to allow the eye drops to enter the eye. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day. It is important to continue using this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high pressure in the eye do not feel sick.

The effects of some drugs can change if you take other drugs or herbal products at the same time. This can increase your risk for serious side effects or may cause your medications not to work correctly. These drug interactions are possible, but do not always occur. Your doctor or pharmacist can often prevent or manage interactions by changing how you use your medications or by close monitoring. To help your doctor and pharmacist give you the best care, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before starting treatment with this product. While using this product, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any other medicines you are using without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: alpha blockers (such as prazosin), beta blockers taken by mouth (such as atenolol, metoprolol), clonidine, digoxin, epinephrine, certain drugs for high blood pressure (such as methyldopa, reserpine). This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use. Share this list with your doctor and pharmacist to lessen your risk for serious medication problems.

Do not share this medication with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as eye exams, heart rate monitoring) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If swallowing or overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: slow/irregular heart beat, dizziness, fainting, difficulty breathing.

Before using carteolol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other beta blockers (such as timolol); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as preservatives) which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: lung disease/breathing problems (such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD), slow/irregular heartbeat (such as bradycardia, AV block), heart disease (such as chest pain, heart attack, heart failure), diabetes, overactive thyroid (such as hyperthyroidism), blood circulation problems (such as Raynaud's disease, peripheral vascular disease), low blood flow to the brain (cerebral insufficiency, stroke), mental/mood disorders (such as depression), certain nerve/muscle problems (such as myasthenia gravis), history of severe allergic reactions (such as anaphylaxis, atopy). If you develop an eye infection or injury, or have eye surgery, check with your doctor about whether you should continue to use your current bottle of carteolol. You may be advised to start using a new bottle. This drug may cause temporary blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). If you have diabetes, this product may prevent the fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually feel when your blood sugar level falls too low (hypoglycemia). Other symptoms of low blood sugar level, such as dizziness and sweating, are unaffected by this drug. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not freeze. Different brands of this medication have different storage needs. Check the product package for instructions on how to store your brand, or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Temporary blurred vision or temporary burning/stinging/itching/redness of the eye may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: eye pain/swelling/discharge, eye sensitivity to light, mental/mood changes (such as depression), slow/irregular heartbeat, dizziness, sudden unexplained weight gain, swelling ankles/feet, unusual tiredness. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but serious side effects occur: wheezing/difficulty breathing, chest/jaw/left arm pain, shortness of breath, unusual sweating, fainting, weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, seizures, confusion, sudden vision changes. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.