Carteolol Ophthalmic Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 9, 2024.

Applies to carteolol ophthalmic: ophthalmic solution.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, carteolol ophthalmic may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking carteolol ophthalmic:

Less common side effects

• blurred vision
• chest pain or discomfort
• confusion
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
• shortness of breath
• slow or irregular heartbeat
• sweating
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not determined

• blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• blurred, cloudy, or yellow vision
• change in color vision
• confusion
• cough
• decreased urine output
• decreased vision after sunset and before sunrise
• difficult or labored breathing
• difficulty seeing at night
• dilated neck veins
• discoloration of white part of eye
• disturbed color perception
• drainage from the eye
• drooping upper eyelids
• double vision
• extreme fatigue
• eye redness, irritation, pain, burning, or tearing
• fast heartbeat
• fever
• halos around lights
• hives
• hoarseness
• inability to speak
• increase in blood flow to the whites of the eyes
• increased sensitivity of eyes to sunlight
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• irritation
• itching
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• loss of vision
• night blindness
• noisy breathing
• overbright appearance of lights
• pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones
• pounding or rapid pulse
• rash
• redness of skin
• redness, swelling, and/or itching of eye and eyelid
• seeing double
• seizures
• severe numbness, especially on one side of the face or body
• severe or sudden headache
• slurred speech
• stuffy or runny nose
• swelling of eyelids, face, fingers, lips, hands, feet, or lower legs
• temporary blindness
• tightness in chest
• tiredness
• troubled breathing
• tunnel vision
• unusual feeling in the eyes
• weakness in arm and/or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe
• weight gain
• wheezing

Other side effects

Some side effects of carteolol ophthalmic may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not determined

• change in taste or bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
• discouragement
• feeling sad or empty
• headache
• irritability
• lack of appetite
• lack or loss of strength
• loss of interest or pleasure
• nausea
• sleeplessness
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping
• unable to sleep

For healthcare professionals

Applies to carteolol ophthalmic: ophthalmic solution.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported side effects were transient eye irritation, burning, tearing, conjunctival hyperemia, and edema.^[Ref]

Ocular

• Very common (10% or more): Transient eye irritation (25%), burning (25%), tearing (25%), conjunctival hyperemia (25%), edema (25%)
• Frequency not reported: Blurred/cloudy vision, photophobia, decreased night vision, ptosis, ocular signs (including blepharoconjunctivitis, abnormal corneal staining, corneal sensitivity), keratitis, blepharoptosis, visual disturbances including refractive changes (due to withdrawal of miotic therapy in some cases), diplopia, sensation of foreign body, conjunctivitis, choroidal detachment following filtration surgery, dry eyes, corneal erosion^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Frequency not reported: Bradycardia, palpitations, arrhythmia, syncope, heart block, cerebral vascular accident, cerebral ischemia, congestive heart failure, chest pain, atrioventricular block, cardiac arrest, cardiac failure, hypotension, Raynaud's phenomenon, cold hands and feet^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Angioedema, urticaria, localized and generalized rash, pruritus, anaphylactic reaction^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Alopecia, psoriasiform rash or exacerbation of psoriasis^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Frequency not reported: Dyspnea, sinusitis, bronchospasm (predominantly in patients with pre-existing bronchospastic disease), respiratory failure, cough^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Frequency not reported: Headache, dizziness, taste perversion, memory loss, syncope, increases in signs and symptoms of myasthenia gravis, paresthesia, dysgeusia^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Insomnia, depression, nightmares^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Frequency not reported: Nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, abdominal pain, vomiting, dyspepsia^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Frequency not reported: Sexual dysfunction, decreased libido^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Hypoglycemia, masked symptoms of hypoglycemia in insulin-dependent diabetics^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Frequency not reported: Myalgia^[Ref]

Other

• Frequency not reported: Asthenia, malaise, discomfort, edema, fatigue^[Ref]

Further information

Carteolol ophthalmic side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer