Cardiovascular effects of befunolol, betaxolol and timolol eye drops.
A double-blind cross-over study was carried out on 15 glaucoma patients so as to verify the effects of three the beta blockers, beta-1 selective betaxolol, non-selective timolol and befunolol an agent with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity on the heart rate, monitored by a Holter apparatus, and with the blood pressure measured in standing and supine positions before and after eight days of topical therapy. The results showed that timolol induced a significant decrease in minimum heart rate (-4.2 +/- 2.9) (p less than 0.001) and in diastolic blood pressure in standing position (-8.0 +/- 12.5 mmHg) (p less than 0.05), betaxolol decreased systolic pressure in orthostatism (-7.5 +/- 12.3 mmHg) and in clinostatism (-12.1 +/- 16.2 mmHg) and diastolic pressure in orthostatism (-6.25 +/- 9.4 mmHg) (p less than 0.05). Befunolol alone did not alter the heart rate or blood pressure.
Dorigo
M T
MT
University Eye Clinic, Padua, Italy.
Cerin
O
O
Fracasso
G
G
Altafini
R
R
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015784:Betaxolol / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013999:Timolol / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011412:Propanolamines; C006034:befunolol; D013999:Timolol; D015784:Betaxolol