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The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness and safety of brimonidine 0.2% (Alphagan, Allergan Inc., Irvine, CA) as mono-, combination, or replacement therapy for reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The study method was an open-label, comparative clinical evaluation involving 2335 patients. During the two-month trial, data were collected at baseline (visit 1), month 1 (visit 2), and month 2 (visit 3). Various parameters were evaluated, including glaucoma medications (visit 1), IOP (visit 1-visit 3), and adverse events. A subset cohort of 1254 patients was selected that met specific study criteria. Data from these 1254 patients were used to evaluate adverse events and the change in IOP from visit 1 to visit 3. Patient data were grouped according to specific drug regimen, and drug regimens were categorized into supergroups of mono-, combination, and replacement therapy. The results of the study revealed that the overall mean change in IOP for: (1) monotherapy (n=240) was -5.07 mmHg (-20.2%); (2) combination therapy (n=554) was -4.01 mmHg (-16.9%); (3) replacement therapy (n=460) was -2.33 mmHg (-9.8%); and (4) overall (n=1254) was -3.59 mmHg (-14.9%) (p < 0.001 for all changes). Overall, 6.0% of the subjects reported adverse events, with no hypersensitivity or unexpected systemic or ocular adverse events. Eighty-five percent of clinicians rated brimonidine as 'good' to 'excellent'. In conclusion, brimonidine is safe and effectively lowers IOP when used as mono-, combination, or replacement therapy as observed in a large community population.
Dr. D.A. Lee, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine, Jules Stein Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90095-7004, USA leeda@jsei.ucla.edu
11.3.3 Apraclonidine, brimonidine (Part of: 11 Medical treatment > 11.3 Adrenergic drugs)