Antiglaucoma medications: a review of safety and tolerability issues related to their use.
BACKGROUND
Much experience has been gained with the use of older classes of antiglaucoma agents--topical beta-adrenergic-receptor antagonists, nonselective adrenergic-receptor agonists, oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and cholinergic agents. In the past decade, new drugs and classes of drugs used to treat glaucoma have become available, including topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, prostaglandin analogues, and alpha2-adrenergic-receptor agonists. Extensive community-based use of antiglaucoma medications has led to an increased understanding of the acute and long-term safety and tolerability issues associated with their use.


OBJECTIVE
This paper reviews the side effects associated with the various classes of topical antiglaucoma drugs, with a particular focus on long-term safety issues.
Schuman
J S
JS
New England Eye Center, New England Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA. jss@mediaone.net
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077338:Latanoprost; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; D000077338:Latanoprost