Adjunctive therapy with brinzolamide in patients on travoprost treatment

INTRODUCTION: This study was aimed at evaluating the safety and efficacy of brinzolamide 1% suspension (Azopt 1%) and travoprost 0.004% (Travatan) combined therapy in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who are in need of additional intraocular pressure lowering. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a prospective, three-month, open-label, clinical study. Forty patients (80 eyes) with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension on Travatan treatment and with unsatisfactory results in lowering intraocular pressure were included in the study. The qualifying intraocular pressure on previous treatment with Travatan (at least 6 weeks) was 22-36 mmHg in at least one eye at 8 a.m. intraocular pressure measurements at three eligibility visits. The patients received brinzolamide 1% twice a day in addition to travoprost 0.004% given once a day in the evening for 3 months. The follow-up examinations assessing the safety and efficacy of combined therapy of brinzolamide 1% and travoprost 0.004% were performed after 1 and 3 months. RESULTS: Adjunctive therapy with brinzolamide resulted in statistically significant reductions in intraocular pressure from the travoprost baseline at all visits. Treatment with brinzolamide/travoprost caused statistically significant sustained reduction in intraocular pressure with the reduction of 17.39% (p < 0.001) after 4 weeks and 20.08% (p < 0.001) after 12 weeks. The intraocular pressure change from the baseline ranged from -3.9 mmHg after 4 weeks to -4.48 mmHg after 12 weeks. The most frequently related adverse effect was abnormal taste and blurred vision. CONCLUSION: Brinzolamide 1% (b.i.d) used adjunctively with travoprost 0.004% (q.d.) lowers intraocular pressure significantly compared to travoprost alone. Both drugs were well tolerated and safe in the studied patients.