title: The influence of diclofenac ophthalmic solution on the intraocular pressure-lowering effect of topical 0.5% timolol and 0.005% latanoprost in primary open-angle glaucoma patients.
abstract: The aim of this randomized, prospective, masked clinical study has been to verify the influence of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ophthalmic solution on intraocular pressure reduction induced by 0.5% timolol and 0.005% latanoprost eyedrops in patients affected by primary open-angle glaucoma. Thirty-two glaucomatous patients, compensated with 0.5% timolol, were randomized into two study groups (A and B). Timolol was continued for the first 2 weeks in all subjects. On the 15th day, in both groups timolol was replaced by latanoprost, and this regimen lasted up to the end of the follow-up (8 weeks). At the beginning of the 2nd week of the study, group A additionally started a 5-week therapy with topical 0.1% diclofenac; during the same period, group B received placebo eyedrops with identical modalities. Intraocular pressure was recorded at 7-day intervals during the first 7 weeks and at the 10th week. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and placebo did not modify the effect of timolol on intraocular pressure. In both groups, latanoprost induced a significant decrease in intraocular pressure. Diclofenac-treated patients exhibited a marked fall in intraocular pressure (p<0.01), whereas in placebo-treated patients, this diminution was less noticeable (p<0.05). After diclofenac withdrawal, in group A intraocular pressure significantly increased (p<0.01), remaining approximately at the same level up to the end of the study. In group B, at the same checks no significant variations in intraocular pressure occurred. In primary open-angle glaucoma patients, diclofenac significantly enhances the hypotensive effect of latanoprost, without influence on timolol efficacy. Because non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are widely employed in medical practice, supplementary ophthalmologic checks should be scheduled during the co-administration of these compounds and prostaglandin analogues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy. costaciro@libero.it
authors.forename: Ciro
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Costagliola
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Parmeggiani
authors.forename: Paolo Pio
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Antinozzi
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caccavale
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cotticelli
authors.forename: Adolfo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sebastiani
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D000077338:Latanoprost; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018401:Sample Size; D013999:Timolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; D004008:Diclofenac; D000077338:Latanoprost; D013999:Timolol