Comparison of latanoprost monotherapy to dorzolamide combined with timolol in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension.A 3-month randomised study.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of the study was to compare the effects on intraocular pressure (IOP) of adding dorzolamide to timolol or of switching from timolol to latanoprost monotherapy in glaucoma patients inadequately controlled on timolol.


METHODS
The study was designed as a 3-month randomised, open-label, multicentre study comprising 183 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, capsular glaucoma with IOP above 22 mmHg on treatment with one or two ocular hypotensive drugs, or ocular hypertension with IOP above 27 mmHg. After a 2- to 4-week run-in period on timolol, 0.5% twice daily, the patients were randomised to treatment with either latanoprost, 0. 005% once daily, or the combination of timolol, 0.5% twice daily, and dorzolamide, 2% twice daily. The mean diurnal IOP after 3 months of treatment was compared with baseline.


RESULTS
Switching from timolol to latanoprost reduced mean diurnal IOP by 4.5+/-0.2 mmHg (mean+/-SEM, ANCOVA; 20%), and adding dorzolamide to timolol reduced mean diurnal by 4.4+/-0.2 mmHg (mean+/-SEM, ANCOVA; 20%). No serious side effects were observed with either treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Latanoprost monotherapy can be an alternative to combined treatment with two aqueous flow suppressors in patients whose IOP is insufficiently controlled by timolol alone.
Emmerich
K H
KH
Eye Clinic, Darmstadt Municipal Hospitals, D-64297 Darmstadt, Germany.
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D000077338:Latanoprost; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013999:Timolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013876:Thiophenes; D000077338:Latanoprost; D013999:Timolol; C062765:dorzolamide