Brinzolamide 1%/timolol 0.5%: safety and efficacy of a new fixed-combination IOP-lowering product for glaucoma.
OBJECTIVE
To provide a commentary on recent studies with the new IOP-lowering fixed-combination product brinzolamide 1%/timolol 0.5%.


METHODS
Medline was searched for brinzolamide/timolol fixed-combination clinical literature (up to May 18, 2010) and the current comprehensive brinzolamide/timolol literature was reviewed.


RESULTS
Compared with another carbonic anhydrase inhibitor-containing product, dorzolamide 2%/timolol 0.5%, brinzolamide/timolol has similar IOP-lowering efficacy. Brinzolamide/timolol also produces superior comfort ratings as assessed by patients who have tried both drugs - this may be explained by the more physiologic pH of brinzolamide/timolol. A recent study reported that brinzolamide/timolol was preferred over dorzolamide/timolol at a ratio of nearly 4:1 among those expressing a preference.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that brinzolamide/timolol is equally effective and more comfortable than dorzolamide/timolol, a fact that may positively impact patient adherence, leading to an increased likelihood of reaching target IOP goals.
Januleviciene
Ingrida
I
Eye Clinic, Kaunas University of Medicine, Kaunas, Lithuania. ingrida.januleviciene@kmuk.lt
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D013843:Thiazines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D013999:Timolol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013843:Thiazines; D013999:Timolol; C111827:brinzolamide