Patients should remain in the supine position for 2 hours following insertion, but thereafter may be ambulatory. Carteolol is a noncardioselective beta-blocker with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity and very weak membrane stabilizing activity. Blocking beta receptors reduces intraocular pressure through inhibition of aqueous humor production in the ciliary body. The mechanism by which aqueous humor production is reduced is not known. Adverse effects are similar to those observed with other beta-blocker ophthalmic solutions.
Local effects are eye pain and discomfort, burning, tearing, conjunctival hyperemia and edema.
Systemic effects may include bradycardia, decreased blood pressure, headache, cardiac arrhythmias, dyspnea, and dizziness. In addition, carteolol induces less bradycardia than timolol and metipranolol, although all three agents were noted to produce some degree of bradycardia and bronchoconstriction. Other studies have shown carteolol to be similar to timolol in regard to systemic beta-blocking activity. Differences in the incidence and severity of adverse effects between carteolol ophthalmic and other ophthalmic beta-blockers have not been well demonstrated. As with other agents in this class, carteolol should be administered with caution in patients predisposed to the adverse effects of systemic beta-blocking agents.