Additive effects of brimonidine tartrate 0.1%/brinzolamide 1% fixed-dose combination in prostaglandin analog-treated Japanese glaucoma patients.

Purpose: A brimonidine tartrate 0.1%/brinzolamide 1% fixed-dose combination (BBFC) was recently approved for glaucoma and ocular hypertension treatment in Japan. We investigated the efficacy and safety of BBFC used concomitantly with prostaglandin analogs (PG) or a PG/beta-blocker fixed-dose combination (PG/beta FC).

Study design: This was a prospective, open-label, multicenter study.

Patients and methods: We enrolled Japanese patients with open-angle glaucoma. BBFC (Ailamide) was concomitantly administered to either the PG or the PG/beta FC group, and intraocular pressure (IOP) and safety were evaluated at 4 and 12 weeks. The groups were stratified into low and high IOP baseline groups based on the median baseline IOP.

Results: We enrolled 100 patients, 91 of whom completed the 12-week follow-up. The mean ages were 67.1 and 65.7 years in the PG group (n = 45, baseline IOP of 15.7 ± 2.3 mmHg) and the PG/beta FC group (n = 46, baseline IOP of 16.3 ± 2.3 mmHg), respectively. After BBFC administration, IOPs at 4 and 12 weeks were 13.0 ± 2.0 and 13.0 ± 2.6 mmHg (P < 0.0001) in the PG group, respectively, and 13.7 ± 2.4 and 13.7 ± 2.2 mmHg (P < 0.0001) in the PG/beta FC group, respectively. IOP decreased by - 2.0 ± 1.8 mmHg (P < 0.0001) and -1.9 ± 1.4 mmHg (P < 0.0001) in the low baseline PG group (14.1 mmHg) and low baseline PG/beta FC group (14.8 mmHg) at 12 weeks, respectively. Sixteen adverse events were identified, all of which were common and did not affect visual acuity.

Conclusions: BBFC can be used concomitantly with PG or PG/beta FC to reduce IOP without serious complications.