The additive effects on intraocular pressure of combining nipradilol 0.25% and latanoprost 0.005% ophthalmic...

To investigate the effectiveness of combining nipradilol 0.25% and latanoprost 0.005% ophthalmic solutions in improving the intraocular pressures (IOPs) in glaucoma patients.

We divided the 53 patients into two groups, those who had been treated with latanoprost and those who had been treated with nipradilol. We administered to the first group one dose of latanoprost daily for 12 weeks and to the second group one dose of nipradilol daily for 12 weeks. Each group then received both solutions for another 12 weeks; the latanoprost group received nipradilol and the nipradilol group received latanoprost. IOPs were measured at each 4-week visit.

In the patients previously treated with latanoprost, the mean IOP was 19.6+/-2.5 mmHg at baseline, and 14.9+/-2.4 mmHg (23.7% reduction) after 12 weeks of latanoprost monotherapy. The addition of nipradilol decreased the IOP to 13.8+/-1.9 mmHg (29.0% reduction). In the group previously treated with nipradilol, the mean IOP was 20.2+/-3.1 mmHg at baseline, and 16.7+/-3.5 mmHg (17.1% reduction) after 12 weeks of nipradilol monotherapy. Addition of latanoprost decreased the IOP to 14.2+/-3.2 mmHg (29.5% reduction).

Latanoprost and nipradilol are more effective as a combination therapy than each one by itself.