The short-term effect of adding brimonidine 0.2% to timolol treatment in patients with open-angle glaucoma.
Brimonidine, a highly selective alpha(2)-adrenoceptor agonist, was studied to determine its ocular hypotensive effect and side effects in patients with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) while on continuing therapy with timolol. This was a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study in 15 patients with primary open-angle or pseudoexfoliation glaucoma on therapy receiving timolol 0.5% twice daily, with IOP greater than or equal to 22 mm Hg in one eye. IOP measurements, blood pressure and pulse rate were assessed on 2 days at a baseline and 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 h later. A single drop of brimonidine 0.2% or placebo was added to treatment with timolol. The reductions in IOP at all time intervals observed with brimonidine + timolol were significantly greater than those with timolol + placebo. The maximum mean net decrease in IOP was 19.23 +/- 10.60% at 4 h. Statistically significant decreases in systemic blood pressure and pulse rate without clinical symptoms were observed in the group receiving brimonidine + timolol. This study suggests that a combination of brimonidine and timolol may have potential in the treatment of glaucoma. Further clinical trials with brimonidine are indicated to assess its further role as adjunctive agent.
Yüksel
N
N
Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey.
Altintaş
O
O
Karabaş
L
L
Alp
B
B
Cağlar
Y
Y
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013999:Timolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011810:Quinoxalines; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate; D013999:Timolol