title: [Combination therapy in the medical treatment of                     glaucoma].
abstract: A combination of antiglaucoma medications is indicated if monotherapy is not                         sufficient to achieve the predefined target pressure and/or in case of a                         progression of glaucomatous damage or conversion from ocular hypertension to                         glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Most recently many fixed combinations with                         two active compounds have become available for the medical treatment of                         glaucoma. Compared to non-fixed combinations, these drugs offer a much                         easier use for the patients. Fixed combinations have to be applied less                         frequently which may improve adherence. Furthermore, they most likely                         contain a lower amount of toxic preservatives compared to non-fixed                         combinations. And finally, fixed combinations may eliminate the risk of a                         "washout" of the first medication by using the second product of a non-fixed                         combination too soon after the first drop has been installed. This review                         aims to examine the most important aspects of IOP-lowering fixed and                         non-fixed combinations in glaucoma management with a clear focus on the                         results obtained with fixed combinations. In Germany, fixed combinations                         with the compositions dorzolamide/timolol (FCDT), brinzolamide/timolol                         (FCBRINT), latanoprost/timolol (FCLT), travoprost/timolol (FCTT),                         bimatoprost/timolol (FCBIMT), brimonidine/timolol (FCBT),                         pilocarpine/timolol (FCPT) and metipranolol/timolol (FCMT) are approved for                         the medical management of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. The results of                         clinical studies comparing fixed combinations with their active ingredients                         and with the corresponding non-fixed combinations will be discussed.                         Furthermore - if available - the results of direct comparisons of the                         efficacy and safety of different IOP-lowering fixed combinations are                         summarised.
authors: Augenheilkunde, Ordination, Albertgasse 39/10 + 11, Vienna, Austria. a.hommer@aon.at
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Hommer
mesh_terms: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001682:Biological Availability; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D018450:Disease Progression; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions