Effects of latanoprost and betaxolol on cardiovascular and respiratory status of newly diagnosed glaucoma patients.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the cardiovascular and respiratory effects of topical latanoprost 0.005% and topical betaxolol 0.25% monotherapy in newly diagnosed glaucoma patients.


METHODS
Fortynewly diagnosed glaucoma patients were enrolled in this prospective, observer-masked, randomized, parallel study. Patients received either latanoprost 0.005% or betaxolol 0.25% for a duration of 3 months. Baseline evaluation included intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement and cardiorespiratory examinations including pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements and spirometry. These measurements were repeated after 3 months.


RESULTS
Both latanoprost and betaxolol reduced IOP significantly (p = 0.001). After 3 months of therapy, the mean pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure values of the betaxolol group were reduced (p = 0.027, p = 0.07 and p = 0.016, respectively). No significant changes occurred in the cardiovascular measurements of the latanoprost group (p > 0.05). There were no significant changes in any of the spirometric measurements tested for both groups (p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Both latanoprost and betaxolol are safe concerning respiratory functions. Betaxolol may cause small changes in the cardiovascular system, suggesting that blood pressure and pulse rates should be checked before and in regular intervals after prescribing it for the elderly. Latanoprost seems to be a safe medication in view of absence of systemic cardiovascular and respiratory side effects.
Erkin
Esin F
EF
Department of Ophthalmology, Celal Bayar University School of Medicine, Manisa, Turkey.
Celik
Pinar
P
Kayikçioğlu
Ozcan
O
Deveci
Hulya Mutlu
HM
Sakar
Ayşin
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015784:Betaxolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D000077338:Latanoprost; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects*; D013147:Spirometry
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; D000077338:Latanoprost; D015784:Betaxolol