Intraocular pressure reduction using a fixed combination of timolol maleate 0.5% and brimonidine tartrate 0.2% administered three times daily

Elad Moisseiev, Shimon Kurtz, Moshe Lazar, Gabi Shemesh

Department of Ophthalmology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a fixed combination of timolol maleate 0.5% + brimonidine tartrate 0.2% (Combigan^®) for reduction for intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma when the dose frequency is increased from twice to three times daily.
Methods: The patients included had either primary open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Those who were previously on treatment completed a drug washout period prior to inclusion. IOP was measured at baseline, after 4 weeks of treatment with Combigan twice daily, and again after a further 4 weeks of Combigan three times daily. Blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation were also recorded at each assessment.
Results: Thirty-one eyes from 31 patients were included. Increasing the Combigan dose frequency resulted in a statistically significant (P < 0.001) additional reduction in IOP of 2.25 ± 1.18 mmHg, corresponding to a further 10.3% reduction in IOP from baseline. No local or systemic adverse effects were documented.
Conclusion: Treatment with Combigan three times daily was more effective in reducing IOP than the twice-daily regimen, with no increase in adverse effects.

Keywords: Combigan^®, timolol, brimonidine, glaucoma, dose frequency