Effect of vehicle on pilocarpine-induced ocular hypotension.
The effect of 1.4% polyvinyl alcohol and castor oil vehicles on pilocarpine-induced hypotension was studied in 50 patients with open-angle glaucoma. Diurnal tension curves showed that the mean intraocular pressure was lower and the maximum diurnal variation smaller during the treatment with oily drops of 2% and 4% pilocarpine instilled 2-3 times daily than when 2% and 4% pilocarpine in polyvinyl alcohol was instilled 3-4 times daily. The differences were statistically significant. In long-term treatment no marked pilocarpine tolerance developed in cases treated with oily drops of pilocarpine. It is concluded that in the treatment of patients with open-angle glaucoma, the hypotensive effect of pilocarpine in an oily vehicle instilled 2-3 times daily is greater and more even than that of pilocarpine of corresponding strength in polyvinyl alcohol administered 3-4 times daily.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002368:Castor Oil / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008916:Miotics; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles / Q000494:pharmacology; D010862:Pilocarpine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000494:pharmacology*
D008916:Miotics; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D010862:Pilocarpine; D002368:Castor Oil; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol