Tafluprost/Timolol: A Review in Open-Angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension

A once-daily preservative-free fixed combination ophthalmic solution containing tafluprost 0.0015 % and timolol 0.5 % (hereafter referred to as tafluprost/timolol) [Taptiqom(®)] has been developed to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) whilst avoiding damage to the ocular surface associated with preservatives such as benzalkonium chloride. Tafluprost/timolol is available in various EU countries for the reduction of IOP in adults with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who are insufficiently responsive to topical monotherapy with β-adrenergic receptor antagonists or prostaglandin analogues and require a combination therapy, and who would benefit from preservative-free eye drops. In two multinational, phase III studies, tafluprost/timolol was superior to monotherapy with either preservative-free tafluprost 0.0015 % once daily or preservative-free timolol 0.5 % twice daily, and noninferior to concomitant therapy with preservative-free tafluprost 0.0015 % once daily plus preservative-free timolol 0.5 % twice daily in lowering IOP in adults with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Tafluprost/timolol was well tolerated in these studies, with a tolerability profile consistent with that of its individual components and with no new adverse reactions observed. Thus, preservative-free fixed combination tafluprost/timolol is an effective treatment option for the reduction of IOP in adults with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, providing a useful alternative for those patients who would benefit from preservative-free eye drops.