Preservative-free tafluprost/timolol fixed combination: a new opportunity in the treatment of glaucoma.
BACKGROUND
Medical therapy of glaucoma aims to maintain the patient's visual function and quality of life. This generally commences with monotherapy, but it is often difficult to reach the predetermined target pressure with this approach. Fixed combinations (FCs) are therefore selected as the next step of the medical therapy algorithm. By employing a prostaglandin/timolol fixed combination (PTFC) the desired target 24-hour intraocular pressure can be reached in many glaucoma patients with the convenience of once-a-day administration and the associated high rate of adherence.


METHODS
The current role and value of FCs in the medical therapy of glaucoma is critically appraised. Special attention is paid to the PTFCs and the emerging role of preservative-free PTFCs. This review summarizes existing information on the efficacy and tolerability of the new preservative-free tafluprost/timolol FC (Taptiqom®).


CONCLUSIONS
The preservative-free tafluprost/timolol FC represents a promising stepwise treatment option for those patients whose intraocular pressure is insufficiently controlled with available monotherapy options. This novel FC has the potential to substantially improve glaucoma management and through evolution of the current glaucoma treatment paradigm, to become a core therapeutic option in the future. Nonetheless, future research is needed to better delineate the therapeutic role of current and future preservative-free FCs in glaucoma therapy.
a 1st and 3rd University Departments of Ophthalmology , Aristotle University , Thessaloniki , Greece.
Anastasios G P
AG
Konstas
b Department of Ophthalmology , Semmelweis University , Budapest , Hungary.
Gabor
G
Holló
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D019468:Disease Management; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / Q000737:chemistry; D011460:Prostaglandins F / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011788:Quality of Life; D013999:Timolol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical; D011460:Prostaglandins F; C485333:tafluprost; D013999:Timolol
Glaucoma; Taptiqom®; preservative-free fixed combination therapy; tafluprost; tafluprost/timolol fixed combination; timolol