Experience with dipivalyl epinephrine. Its effectiveness, alone or in combination, and its side effects

Dipivalyl epinephrine was as effective as adrenaline as an eyedrop for glaucoma. It was responsible for fewer side effects, through side effects did occur. It had an additive effect when used with timolol maleate and, in 12 of 14 patients on long-term medication with both drugs, a rise of pressure of 3 mmHg or more occurred when dipivalyl epinephrine was stopped. As sole therapy dipivalyl epinephrine was effective in chronic simple open-angle glaucoma, ocular hypertension and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma, and may be useful on its own in the latter two conditions. In low-tension glaucoma it seemed the best therapy when combined with timolol. Headache and ocular pain were uncommon but prominent side effects.