Evaluation of efficacy of the fixed vs unfixed combination of latanoprost and timolol in patients of open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension insufficiently controlled on timolol and latanoprost monotherapy
Journal Title: National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology - Year 2017, Vol 7, Issue 8
Abstract
Background: Glaucoma is a term describing a group of ocular disorders with multifactorial etiology united by a clinically characteristic intraocular pressure (IOP) associated optic neuropathy. Elevated IOP is identified as the only known risk factor which can be modified by anti-glaucomatous treatments. Patients who do not achieve target IOP levels with a single ocular hypotensive agent often are prescribed concomitant therapy with a medication that has a different mechanism of action. Aims and Objectives: The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of the fixed and unfixed combinations of latanoprost and timolol in patients of open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension (OH). Materials and Methods: A comparative randomized open-label trial was conducted on newly diagnosed patients of open-angle glaucoma and OH who were receiving either latanoprost 0.005% once daily or either timolol SR 0.5% once or twice daily in the preceding 4 weeks and whose IOP was not controlled with the prior monotherapy of latanoprost or timolol and remained ≥21 mmHg were included in the study. Patients were randomized to two groups to receive the following medication - Group I: Fixed combination eye drops of latanoprost (0.005%) and timolol SR (0.5%), once a day, in the dose of 1 drop at 9 LTFC and Group II: Unfixed combination of latanoprost (0.005%), once a day in the dose of 1 drop at 9 pm and timolol SR (0.5%), once a day in the dose of 1 drop at 9 am (LTuFC). Patients were evaluated at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 12 weeks for the assessment of IOP and Visual acuity. Results: Both LTFC (Group I) and LTuFC (Group II) caused a reduction in IOP which was statistically highly significant (P < 0.01) at all the intervals but on comparison both the groups affected the IOP in a similar fashion and demonstrated no difference statistically (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Both the regimens on comparison revealed similar efficacy thereby failing to prove superiority over each other. Thus, the clinicians have a wider choice of fixed or unfixed combinations of latanoprost and timolol, when monotherapy of either drug fails
Authors and Affiliations
Rohini Gupta, Brij Mohan Gupta, Dinesh Gupta, Pavan Malhotra, Zahida Parveen
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