Switch to latanoprost monotherapy from combined treatment with beta-antagonist and other antiglaucoma agents in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects on intraocular pressure (IOP) and the occurrence of adverse events upon switching directly to latanoprost monotherapy from multiple drug therapy, including a beta-antagonist, for glaucomatous eyes.


METHODS
Patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension and receiving long-term therapy with two or three topical ocular hypotensive drugs (including one topical beta-antagonist) were switched to latanoprost monotherapy for 12 weeks without any intervening washout period. Observations were performed before switching (baseline) and at weeks 4, 8, and 12 after switching to latanoprost monotherapy.


RESULTS
Of the 29 enrolled patients, 26 (90%) completed this protocol. Three patients had excessive IOP elevation, and these patients were withdrawn. The switch to latanoprost monotherapy was followed by a significant ( P < 0.0001) mean reduction of 3.9 mmHg at week 12 in per-protocol cases ( n = 26) and a significant ( P = 0.0016) mean reduction of 2.8 mmHg at last postswitch visit in patients in the intent-to-treat analysis group ( n = 29). Adverse ocular events other than IOP elevation were mild.


CONCLUSIONS
The switch to latanoprost monotherapy in glaucoma patients receiving multiple drug therapy resulted in an additional, significant IOP reduction.
Ito
Kunio
K
Department of Ophthalmology, Mie University School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan. itokunio@clin.medic.mie-u.ac.jp
Goto
Ryotaro
R
Matsunaga
Koichi
K
Sugimoto
Kota
K
Uji
Yukitaka
Y
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / 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; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019233:Retreatment
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; D000077338:Latanoprost