What is carteolol?
Carteolol is in a group of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins).
Carteolol is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).
Carteolol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about carteolol?
Do not stop taking carteolol without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.
If you need to have any type of surgery, you may need to temporarily stop using carteolol. Be sure the surgeon knows ahead of time that you are using carteolol.
Carteolol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which could increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking carteolol.
Carteolol is only part of a complete program of treatment for hypertension that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely if you are being treated for hypertension.
Hypertension often has no symptoms, so you may not even feel that you have high blood pressure. Continue using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking carteolol?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to carteolol, or if you have:
a history of asthma or severe COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease);
severe liver disease; or
a serious heart condition such as heart block, sick sinus syndrome, or slow heart rate (unless you have a pacemaker).
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication:
diabetes (taking carvedilol can make it harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar);
low blood pressure;
congestive heart failure;
depression;
kidney or liver disease;
a thyroid disorder;
myasthenia gravis;
pheochromocytoma; or
problems with circulation (such as Raynaud's syndrome).
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether carteolol is harmful to an unborn baby. Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether carteolol passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.