title: A comparison of the efficacy of various metipranolol-pilocarpine combinations in patients with ocular hypertension and primary open-angle glaucoma.
abstract: We compared the ocular hypotensive effects of four fixed-dose metipranolol-pilocarpine combinations in nineteen ocular hypertensive subjects and glaucoma patients. Each patient was tested with all of the study medications: vehicle alone, 0.1% metipranolol HCl + 2% pilocarpine HCl, 0.1% metipranolol HCl + 4% pilocarpine HCl, 0.3% metipranolol HCl + 2% pilocarpine HCl, and 0.3% metipranolol HCl + 4% pilocarpine HCl, in a single dose, randomized, double-masked, cross-over placebo-controlled trial. In addition, another eight age and baseline intraocular pressure (IOP)-matched subjects received 0.1% or 0.3% metipranolol HCl, while a similar group of 14 volunteers received 2% or 4% pilocarpine HCl. A two week washout period was instituted between the various groups of treatments. All four metipranolol-pilocarpine combinations were more effective than placebo or either medication alone in reducing the average IOP for up to 8 hours (p < 0.05 for each treatment group). Metipranolol HCl 0.3%, regardless of the pilocarpine concentration, demonstrated the most significant IOP lowering effect, reducing the IOP by 4.9 mm Hg or about 20% from baseline. However, 0.1% metipranolol HCl in combination with 4% pilocarpine HCl was found almost as effective with a 18.5% reduction in IOP from baseline, but a shorter duration of action. In conclusion, all metipranolol-pilocarpine combinations were more efficacious than either medication alone in a single-dose trial. Additional multiple-dose studies are needed to determine the long-term effectiveness and tolerance of combining 0.3% metipranolol HCl with either 2% or 4% pilocarpine HCl.
authors.affiliation: Kentucky Lions Eye Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Louisville.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharir
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Zimmerman
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: del Negro
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Kooner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D014290:Metipranolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010862:Pilocarpine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010862:Pilocarpine; D014290:Metipranolol