title: 12-week study comparing the fixed combination of brimonidine and timolol with concomitant use of the individual components in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fixed-combination brimonidine tartrate 0.2%/timolol 0.5% ophthalmic solution dosed BID and demonstrate non-inferiority to concomitant use of brimonidine tartrate 0.2% BID and timolol 0.5% BID in glaucoma and ocular hypertension patients with intraocular pressure (IOP) uncontrolled on monotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, multicenter, double-masked, parallel-group study involving 371 patients with inadequate IOP control (IOP from 22 to 34 mmHg) after > or =3 weeks of run-in on any monotherapy. Patients were treated with fixed-combination brimonidine/timolol BID (fixed-combination group, n = 188) or concomitant brimonidine BID and timolol BID (concomitant group, n = 183). IOP was assessed pre-dose and 2 hours after morning dosing at weeks 2, 6, and 12.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 355 patients (96%) completed the study. Patient demographics, run-in monotherapy, and baseline mean IOP on monotherapy were comparable between treatment groups. During follow-up, the mean reduction from baseline IOP was significant (p < 0.001) at all time points and ranged from 4.4 to 5.3 mmHg in each group. Brimonidine/timolol fixed combination was as effective as concomitant therapy with respect to mean IOP and mean change from baseline IOP at all time points and visits. Between-group differences were < or =0.35 mmHg for mean IOP and < or 0.30 mmHg for mean change from baseline IOP; none were significant. No unexpected side effects were associated with the fixed combination. Both treatments were well tolerated with no difference in adverse events between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Brimonidine/timolol fixed-combination therapy is as safe and effective as concomitant treatment with the individual components. Its simplified dosing regimen has the potential to improve compliance.
authors.affiliation: Servei Integrat Oftalmologia Vallés Oriental, Hospital Granollers, Mollet, Sant Celoni and IMO, Universitat Autonoma Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. francisgoni@yahoo.com
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Goñi
mesh_terms: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / 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 / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013999:Timolol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011810:Quinoxalines; D000068438:Brimonidine Tartrate; D013999:Timolol