Brimonidine 0.2% versus dorzolamide 2% each given three times daily to reduce intraocular pressure.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of brimonidine compared with dorzolamide given three times daily as monotherapy in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.


METHODS
In a double-masked, multicenter, crossover comparison in 40 patients, qualified patients were washed out from their previous medication and randomized to dorzolamide 2% or brimonidine 0.2% for the first 6-week treatment period. Patients then were washed out for 2 weeks and started on the opposite medication for the second 6-week period.


RESULTS
Baseline intraocular pressure for all 40 subjects (76 eyes) was 24.1 +/- 2.0 mm Hg. This study found that the 8:00 AM trough intraocular pressure after 6 weeks of therapy for dorzolamide was 20. 7 +/- 3.1 mm Hg and for brimonidine 20.8 +/- 3.2 mm Hg (P =.99). The peak intraocular pressure (2 hours after dosing) for dorzolamide was 18.6 +/- 3.4 mm Hg and for brimonidine 17.8 +/- 2.7 mm Hg (P =.10 ). Dorzolamide caused more stinging upon instillation (P <.01) and brimonidine more itching (P =.01). No statistical differences existed between groups for systemic adverse events. Six patients, all on brimonidine, were discontinued from a treatment period early. Of these, two were discontinued for inadequate pressure control, two with dizziness and fatigue, one with ocular pain, and one for lifestyle reasons (P =.07).


CONCLUSIONS
This study found similar efficacy and safety between monotherapy treatment with dorzolamide or brimonidine when each was given three times daily to patients with ocular hypertension or primary open-angle glaucoma.
Pharmaceutical Research Corporation, Charleston, South Carolina 29412-2464, USA.
W C
WC
Stewart
E D
ED
Sharpe
T S
TS
Harbin
S A
SA
Pastor
D G
DG
Day
K T
KT
Holmes
J A
JA
Stewart
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012449:Safety; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011810:Quinoxalines; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013876:Thiophenes; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate; C062765:dorzolamide