title: Sustained reduction of intraocular pressure in humans with the calcium channel blocker verapamil.
abstract: We investigated the effect of the calcium channel blocker verapamil on intraocular pressure in human volunteers. In the initial trial, 15 subjects with untreated ocular hypertension were tested. After a baseline measurement was obtained with applanation tonometry, a 40-microliter drop of verapamil, 1.25 mg/ml, was instilled in one eye. After 30 minutes, a second reading was taken. In a subsequent trial of 12 untreated ocular hypertensive subjects, the duration of action was determined using the same dose and method of delivery. Results showed that verapamil elicited a mean +/- S.E.M. change in intraocular pressure of -3.8 +/- 0.900 mm Hg in the treated eye, and -1.6 +/- 0.400 mm Hg in the untreated eye. This reduction was statistically different in both eyes (treated eye, P = .0007; untreated eye, P = .005). This decrease in intraocular pressure remained statistically significant when compared to predrug baseline values for up to ten hours.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Eye Research Institute, Boston, MA 02114.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Abelson
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D014700:Verapamil / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D014700:Verapamil