[Interaction between a prostaglandin F2 alpha derivative, UF-021, and pilocarpine in ocular hypotensive therapy]

We investigated the ocular hypotensive effect of concomitant use of pilocarpine and UF-021, a prostaglandin-related compound, in 10 cases (20 eyes) of primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Following a 2- to 4-week-washout of all anti-glaucoma medication, 0.12% UF-021 was instilled twice daily into both eyes of 5 patients and 1% pilocarpine four times daily in 10 eyes of the remaining 5 patients for 2 weeks. Then both eye-drops were used concomitantly for the subsequent 2 weeks. Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement and slit-lamp examination were carried out from one hour prior to the instillation to 4 hours after the instillation at the end of the washout period, the single-use period, and the concomitant-use period. Although no significant difference was found between IOPs of the single-use and concomitant use periods at each measurement time point, a significant difference was found between them when all the measured IOP values were pooled. No changes in episcleral venous pressure nor adverse effects were noted. We concluded that the concomitant use of pilocarpine and UF-021 causes an additive ocular hypotensive effect in clinical settings.