Comparison of two fixed beta-blocker-pilocarpine combinations. The Carteolol-Pilocarpine Study Group.

Author(s): Bron AM, Garcher CP, Sirbat D, Allaire CM, Lablache-Combier MJ, Trinquand CJ

Affiliation(s): Department of Ophthalmology, CHU Hopital General, Dijon, France.

Publication date & source: 1997-10, Eur J Ophthalmol., 7(4):351-6.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety of a newly developed ophthalmic solution containing carteolol 2% and pilocarpine (2% (CBS341A) with a timolol 0.5% and pilocarpine 2% fixed combination. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized, double-masked, multicenter study was conducted in 209 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, whose intraocular pressure (IOP) was higher than 21 mm Hg on bet-blocker twice a day alone. The test medications were administered twice daily for 4 months. IOP was measured at 9 and 11 a.m. at the beginning of the study (with beta-blocker alone) and after one and four months of treatment. Adverse effects were recorded. RESULTS: Both combinations caused a similar, statistically significant decrease in IOP. At four months, in the CBS341A group a 2.4 mm Hg (9%) reduction in IOP was achieved at 9 a.m. and 4.1 mm Hg (17.3%) at 11 a.m. compared with respectively 3 mm Hg (11%) and 4.5 mm Hg (19.5%) in the timolol-pilocarpine group. No statistical difference was observed between the two groups in safety and efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: The carteolol-pilocarpine combination appears as safe and as effective as the timolol-pilocarpine combination in the medical treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.