Twelve-month evaluation of brimonidine-purite versus brimonidine in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy and safety of brimonidine-Purite (Alphagan; Allergan, Irvine, CA) 0.15% and 0.2% three times daily with brimonidine (Alphagan) 0.2% three times daily in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension.


METHODS
In this 12-month, randomized, multicenter, double-masked, parallel-group study, patients were randomly assigned to receive brimonidine-Purite 0.15% (n = 381), brimonidine-Purite 0.2% (n = 383), or brimonidine 0.2% (n = 383) three times daily. Visits were conducted before the study, at baseline, at weeks 2 and 6, and at months 3, 6, 9, and 12. Diurnal intraocular pressure was measured at 8 am, 10 am, 3 pm, and 5 pm at baseline, week 6, and at months 3, 6, and 12. Intraocular pressure was also measured at 8 and 10 am at week 2 and month 9. Safety was evaluated by adverse events and other ocular and systemic measures.


RESULTS
At baseline, mean intraocular pressure was similar in the three treatment groups. During follow-up, there were no statistically significant among-group differences in mean intraocular pressure or mean changes from baseline intraocular pressure (at peak or trough). The difference in mean intraocular pressure between the brimonidine-Purite-0.15% and brimonidine-0.2% treatment group was less than 1 mm Hg at all time points. The relative percent difference in allergic conjunctivitis was 41% lower in the brimonidine-Purite 0.15% group compared with the brimonidine 0.2% group. The comfort and satisfaction rating significantly favored brimonidine-Purite 0.15%.


CONCLUSIONS
Over 12-months, brimonidine-Purite 0.15% and 0.2% provided intraocular pressure lowering comparable with brimonidine 0.2% in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Brimonidine-Purite 0.15% showed the most favorable safety and tolerability profile with a reduced incidence of allergic conjunctivitis and better satisfaction and comfort rating.
Katz
L Jay
LJ
Brimonidine-Purite Study Groups 1 and 2, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-5599, USA. ljk22222@aol.com
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000517:prevention & control; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D011788:Quality of Life; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012449:Safety
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D011810:Quinoxalines; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate