skip to content
Dovepress - Open Access to Scientific and Medical Research
View our mobile site

8852

Fixed combination of topical brimonidine 0.2% and timolol 0.5% for glaucoma and uncontrolled intraocular pressure

Review

(2678) Views  (558) Full article downloads

Authors: Anne J Lee, Peter McCluskey

Published Date October 2008 Volume 2008:2(3) Pages 545 - 555
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S3840

Anne J Lee1, Peter McCluskey1,2

1Department of Ophthalmology, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, NSW, Australia; 2Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia

Abstract: Lowering IOP is the most readily modifiable risk factor to delay the development and progression of glaucoma (POAG). The fixed combination of brimonidine tartrate 0.2% and timolol maleate 0.5% (FCBT) combines a highly selective α2-adrenergic agonist (brimonidine) with a non-selective β-blocker (timolol). FCBT reduces aqueous production and enhances uveoscleral outflow. Concomitant brimonidine and timolol have additive effects on reducing intraocular pressure (IOP). Multi-center randomized control trials have documented superiority of FCBT twice daily on IOP control compared with monotherapy with the individual components, and equal efficacy compared with concomitant therapy. IOP reduction with FCBT versus fixed combination dorzolamide 2% and timolol 0.5% (FCDT) was similar in a small study. Other studies (n > 293) evaluating concomitant brimonidine and timolol have shown that it is not inferior to FCDT. However, concomitant brimonidine and timolol administered twice daily was significantly less efficacious in IOP reduction than fixed combination latanoprost 0.005% and timolol 0.5% (FCLT). There are no published studies comparing FCBT with FCLT. The side effect profile for FCBT reflects that of its individual components. FCBT was generally well tolerated, with less ocular side effects than brimondine alone, but more than timolol alone. Documented systemic effects were few, although this could be confounded by selection bias. FCBT is a safe and effective IOP lowering agent for POAG and ocular hypertension.

Keywords: brimonidine, timolol, combigan, glaucoma, combination, ocular hypertension








Readers of this article also read:

A study of the safety and efficacy of travoprost 0.004%/timolol 0.5% ophthalmic solution compared to latanoprost 0.005% and timolol 0.5% dosed concomitantly in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension
Oriental oculopalpebral dimensions: Quantitative comparison between Orientals from Japan and Brazil
Optic nerve sheath fenestration in cryptococcal meningitis
Preliminary results following the use of a fixed combination of timolol–brimonidine in patients with ocular hypertension and primary open-angle glaucoma
Considerations in glaucoma therapy: fixed combinations versus their component medications
Computed axial tomography evidence of left atrial enlargement: a predictor of elevated pulmonary capillary wedge pressure in pulmonary hypertension
Development of clinical utility of zoledronic acid and patient considerations in the treatment of osteoporosis
The efficacy of herbal therapy on quality of life in patients with breast cancer: self-control clinical trial
Clinical utility and differential effects of prostaglandin analogs in the management of raised intraocular pressure and ocular hypertension
Twelve-week, randomized, multicenter study comparing a fixed combination of brimonidine-timolol with timolol as therapy adjunctive to latanoprost