Incidence of uveitis in glaucoma patients using metipranolol.
Metipranolol is a noncardioselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist used for more than a decade in Germany as a topical treatment of elevated intraocular pressure. In 1990 +/- 50 cases of anterior uveitis were reported in the United Kingdom. To more fully evaluate the incidence of uveitis, we conducted a large, multicenter, retrospective evaluation of chronic metipranolol use in Germany. We gathered information on 1,306 patients treated with metipranolol from 32 private practices. Approximately one-half of the patients used the 0.3% strength, one-third used the 0.1% strength, and one-sixth used the 0.6% strength. Metipranolol therapy was discontinued in 79 patients (6%). Reasons provided were inadequate efficacy (n = 33), untoward effects (n = 33), and unknown (n = 13). The most frequent untoward effects in these patients were ocular signs and symptoms of either allergy or intolerance and discomfort (n = 18). Newly diagnosed uveitis was observed in five patients (0.4%), none of which required cessation of therapy. Overall, metipranolol was effective and well tolerated. There appears to be a low risk of uveitis associated with the use of metipranolol in Germany, in contrast to the reported experience in the United Kingdom. This difference in experience may be due to the differences in formulation.
Kessler
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Medical Scientific Department, Dr. Mann Pharma, Berlin, and *Private Practice, Schorndorf, Germany Dr. Kessler is an employee of Dr. Mann Pharma, the manufacturer of metipranolol in Germany. Dr. Christ has no proprietary interest in Dr. Mann Pharma or metipranolol.
Christ
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