The invention relates to a coated balloon catheter with a catheter substrate and a coating on the catheter substrate. The coating comprises a pharmaceutically active ingredient embedded in a binder matrix. The binder matrix consists of a polyethylene glycol-polyvinyl alcohol copolymer (PEG-PVA copolymer) and optionally shellac or a shellac derivative and additional pharmaceutically acceptable additives. A composition for coating the balloon catheter comprises the pharmaceutically active ingredient and a binder consisting of a PEG-PVA copolymer and optionally shellac or a shellac derivative. The active ingredient and the binder are dissolved in a solvent consisting of water, DMSO and at least one additional organic solvent indefinitely miscible with water.