Four years later: a clinical update on latanoprost.
OBJECTIVE
Almost five years have elapsed since the introduction of latanoprost on several markets and considering the large number of publications dealing with it, the authors felt that it was worth re-evaluating the drug.


METHODS
The criterion used to select trials for inclusion in the review was: all articles mentioning the drug in common electronic data-bases; these were then screened and considered, on the basis of methodological quality.


RESULTS
Experimental data suggest that latanoprost acts by remodeling the extracellular matrix in the ciliary muscle, thus increasing the flow of aqueous humor through the ciliary muscle bundles of the uveoscleral pathway. POAG: Latanoprost persistently improves the pulsatile ocular blood flow in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Recent trials confirmed the greater IOP-lowering efficacy of latanoprost vs. timolol, dorzolamide, brimonidine and unoprostone. Trials lasting up to 24 months showed that latanoprost is effective in long-term treatment of POAG and ocular hypertension (OH), with no signs of loss of efficacy when compared to timolol or dorzolamide. Latanoprost provides better control of circadian IOP. Non-responders to beta-blockers should preferably be switched to latanoprost monotherapy before a combination therapy is started. The possibility of a fixed combination of latanoprost and timolol has been explored, with promising results. NTG: Latanoprost is effective in normal tension glaucoma (NTG), lowering IOP, improving pulsatile ocular blood flow and increasing ocular perfusion pressure. OTHER GLAUCOMAS: Latanoprost may provide effective IOP control in angle-closure glaucoma after iridectomy, in pigmentary glaucoma, glaucoma after cataract extraction and steroid-induced glaucoma. However, latanoprost was effective in only a minority of pediatric cases of glaucoma and is contraindicated in all forms of uveitic glaucoma.


RESULTS
In the articles reviewed, new or duration-related adverse events were reported.
Ravinet
E
E
Ophthalmic Hospital Jules Gonin, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.
Mermoud
A
A
Brignoli
R
R
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000378:metabolism; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005123:Eye / Q000098:blood supply; D015812:Glaucoma, Angle-Closure / Q000188:drug therapy; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077338:Latanoprost; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012449:Safety; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013999:Timolol / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013876:Thiophenes; D000077338:Latanoprost; D013999:Timolol; C062765:dorzolamide