Efficacy and safety of a fixed combination of 1% brinzolamide and 0.1% brimonidine as treatment for glaucoma: a retrospective study focusing on the number of ingredients

BMJ Open Ophthalmol. 2022 Dec;7(1):e001200. doi: 10.1136/bmjophth-2022-001200.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effect based on the number of ingredients and survival rate due to adverse reactions of brinzolamide (1%)/brimonidine (0.1%) fixed combination (BBFC).

Methods and analysis: Among 424 patients newly administered BBFC from June 2020 to May 2021, 406 were retrospectively evaluated for adverse reactions and 299 were evaluated for the IOP-lowering effect of BBFC. Among those evaluated for IOP, group A (n=86) included patients whose treatment was changed to BBFC from other two ingredients, Group B (n=90) included patients who added one ingredient by switching to BBFC, and group C (n=123) included patients who added BBFC in addition to other drugs.

Results: The mean IOP (mm Hg) at BBFC initiation and at 3, 6 and 12 months after BBFC initiation was 14.1, 14.0, 14.3 and 13.8 in group A, 15.9, 14.4, 13.8 and 14.5 in group B and 17.2, 14.0, 14.1 and 14.9 in group C, respectively. Group A showed no significant difference in mean IOP from baseline to any time point after BBFC initiation, whereas groups B and C showed significant IOP reductions at all time points. Seventy-three (18%) patients discontinued treatment due to adverse reactions. The survival rate was 72% at 12 months after the start of BBFC when discontinuation due to adverse reactions was defined as failure.

Conclusion: Using BBFC, sustained IOP or decreasing IOP were observed depending on the number of ingredients. Drop-outs due to the adverse reactions should also be given attention.

Keywords: Glaucoma; Intraocular pressure.

MeSH terms

  • Antihypertensive Agents / adverse effects
  • Brimonidine Tartrate / adverse effects
  • Drug Combinations
  • Glaucoma* / drug therapy
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Ocular Hypertension* / drug therapy
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Brimonidine Tartrate
  • brinzolamide
  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Drug Combinations