Travoprost 0,004% and Timolol Maleate 0.5% in Alternate Days Compared to Standard Monotherapy: Study of Intraocular Pressure–efficiency of a New Therapy Modality

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To evaluate the intraocular pressure lowering–efficacy of travoprost 0.004% q.d. and male ate of timolol 0.5% b.i.d. in alternate days compared to standard monotherapy with these drugs Methods: One hundred and one patients with primary open–angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension were randomly assigned to a) Alternate Therapy (AT), consisting in (Day 1) – timolol maleate 0.5% (1drop at 8am) and travoprost 0.004% (1 drop at 8pm) and on the following day (Day 2) – timolol maleate 0.5% (1 drop at 8pm); or b) standard monotherapy with travoprost 0.004% q.d., or c) timolol maleate 0.5% b.i.d. Diurnal IOP curves were performed at baseline, two and six weeks following randomization. Results: Mean baseline diurnal IOP for the treatment groups were 22.2 + 5.0 (travoprost group), 23.1 + 3.1 (timolol group) and 22.2 + 2.8 (AT group) (p>0.05). Mean IOPs at six weeks were 13.9 + 1.8mmHg (AT group – Day 1), 11.2 + 1.9mmHg (AT group – Day 2), 16.8 + 3.5mmHg (timolol group), and 13.1 + 2.5mmHg (travoprost group). At six weeks, mean IOP reduction obtained in the AT group at Day 1 (8.3 + 1.0 mmHg) and Day 2 (11.0 + 0.9 mmHg) were greater than that obtained with timolol (6.3 + 1.6 mmHg) (p<0.001) and similar to that obtained with travoprost (9.1 + 1.9 mmHg) (p>0.05). Target pressures < 18mmHg were achieved in 100% of the patients in both AMT and travoprost groups and only in 64% of patients in timolol group (p<0.05), at six weeks. The estimated monthly cost of AT (US$ 5,51) was 53% lower than travoprost (US$ 10,24). Conclusions: This study suggests that the intraocular pressure–lowering efficiency of AT is superior to timolol and similar to that of travoprost monotherapy in patients with open–angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. AT with travoprost and timolol may be an alternative to travoprost monotherapy, at a lower cost, in selected patients.

Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: treatment/prevention assessment/controlled