Insidious-onset, non-wheezing carteolol-induced asthma in an atopic patient without asthma history.

Abstract

Carteolol, a non-selective beta-antagonist with a potential risk of severe bronchial constriction in patients with asthma, is one of the most commonly prescribed medication for managing ocular pressure in glaucoma. We present a case of a 24-year-old woman with a history of atopy but no known asthma who presented an insidious onset of clinical manifestations compatible with drug-induced asthma after the initiation of carteolol for ocular hypertension control. The patient developed progressive chest tightness and dyspnoea for 2 months before the pulmonary function test revealed a positive bronchoprovocation response. She reported significant improvement of respiratory symptoms within 2 weeks after the discontinuation of carteolol, and a negative provocation response was later confirmed by repeat pulmonary function test. In conclusion, eye drops with non-selective beta-antagonising effect can induce asthmatic symptoms in patients without a previous diagnosis of asthma and should be administered with caution in patients with associated risk factors.

• Authors: Jo-Hsuan Wu, Jih-Shuin Jerng, Chien-Chia Su
• Journal: BMJ case reports (BMJ Case Rep) Vol. 12 Issue 4 (Apr 04 2019) ISSN: 1757-790X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 30948417 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
• Copyright: © BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2019. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

Chemical References

• Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
• Carteolol

Topics

• Administration, Ophthalmic
• Adrenergic beta-Antagonists (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Asthma (chemically induced)
• Bronchoconstriction (drug effects)
• Carteolol (adverse effects, pharmacology)
• Humans
• Ocular Hypertension (diagnostic imaging, drug therapy)
• Tomography, Optical Coherence
• Young Adult