ABSTRACT
Carteolol is a synthetic quinolinone derivative and nonselective β-adrenoceptor blocking agent with anti-glaucoma activity. It is indicated for the treatment of intraocular hypertension and chronic open-angle glaucoma. In a hospital in Slovenia, in an undefined period before 2015, 55 patients with suspected contact allergy to topical drugs used for treatment of glaucoma were retrospectively analyzed. In Leuven, Belgium, in the period 1990-2014, iatrogenic contact dermatitis was diagnosed in 2600 individuals (17% of the total patch test population) 96% of all positive patch test reactions to topical drugs and antiseptics were considered to be relevant. Carteolol (5% water) was tested in 26 patients and there were 2 positive reactions to it. Possible cross-reactivity to levobunolol. A woman sensitized to befunolol had co-reactivity to carteolol, which she had never used before. A male patient sensitized tot timolol and befunolol later had a recurrence of dermatitis from eye drops containing carteolol, which was considered to be the result of cross-sensitivity.
