Focus on Glaucoma Medications

BETIMOL
Vistakon Pharmaceuticals, LLC

■ Timolol ophthalmic solution 0.25%, 0.5% (Betimol) is a patent-protected, branded beta-blocker currently marketed in the United States by Vistakon Pharmaceuticals, LLC. The company says that clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of Betimol as statistically equivalent to that of timolol maleate (Timoptic). The most common ocular adverse events reported in using Betimol include foreign body sensation (2%), burning/stinging (1%), dry eye (1%) and ocular discomfort (1%).
 

 Vistakon Pharmaceuticals, LLC
Phone: (904) 443-1000
http://www.vistakonpharmaceuticals.com


 

ISTALOL
ISTA Pharmaceuticals

■ Istalol (timolol maleate ophthalmic solution) 0.5% is a proprietary, once-a-day ophthalmic beta-blocker indicated for treatment of elevated IOP in patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma.

Istalol contains potassium sorbate which increases penetration into the anterior chamber and produces aqueous humor concentrations more than twofold higher than a standard timolol solution and comparable to a gel-forming product, says ISTA Pharmaceuticals. Enhanced ocular bioavailability makes QD solution dosing possible without gel-associated blurring.

Increased ocular penetration of Istalol may also reduce systemic absorption. A study comparing Istalol, instilled at twice the recommended dose, and standard timolol BID, measured systemic concentration levels of Istalol less than half those of timolol.

Its unique formulation earned Istalol a "BT" rating, meaning that standard timolol solutions are not therapeutically equivalent and should not be substituted for Istalol.

ISTA Pharmaceuticals
Phone: (949) 788-6000
http://www.istavision.com.

LUMIGAN
Allergan

■ Allergan launched Lumigan (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03% in the United States in 2001 for the reduction of elevated IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who are intolerant of or not responsive to other IOP-lowering medications.

As patient compliance with treatment has been shown to be vital to reducing the risk of disease progression and vision loss, Allergan says it is important to note that treatment adherence rates have
been shown to be nearly equal for patients on bimatoprost or for those on another lipid.

An extension of Allergan's pivotal trials concludes that bimatoprost continued to be well tolerated and effectively sustained lower IOP in patients over 4 years on continuous treatment. Lumigan has been reported to cause changes to pigmented tissues, including the eyelashes, iris and eyelid. These changes may be permanent. Allergan says patients using Lumigan may also experience some usually tolerable side effects, including temporary eye redness (hyperemia), increased eyelash growth or itchy eyes.

Allergan, Inc.
Phone: (800) 347-4500
Web: http://www.allergan.com

TRAVATAN
Alcon

■ According to Alcon data, travoprost (Travatan) lowers IOP up to 
9 mmHg over 24 hours and controls IOP as the day goes on.

Alcon says one reason travoprost lowers and controls IOP is because it's a "full FP receptor agonist." Prostaglandin FP receptor activation causes the release of matrix metallo-proteinase (MMP) enzymes. MMP enzymes degrade the extracellular matrix. This degradation increases outflow, which lowers IOP.

Alcon
Phone: (800) 862-5266
Web: http://www.travatan.com

XALATAN
Pfizer Ophthalmics

■ Xalatan (latanoprost ophthalmic solution) is indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Xalatan is the #1 prescribed IOP-lowering agent according to IMS HEALTH, NPA data for United States total prescriptions from July 1998 through July 2005. Xalatan is available in a single bottle package or as a Multi-Pack for a convenient, 3-month supply from only one pharmacy visit. Please see full prescribing information.

Pfizer Ophthalmics
Phone: (888) 691-6813
Web: http://www.xalatan.com

More Products & Services

ACUVUE OASYS WITH HYDRACLEAR PLUS
Vistakon

■ Vistakon introduces Acuvue Oasys brand contact lenses with Hydraclear Plus for contact lens wearers whose eyes feel tired and dry in challenging environments. This is the first daily-wear contact lens made from senofilcon A, a new silicone hydrogel material that is 50% smoother than currently available silicone hydrogel lenses, says Vistakon.

The new lens features an improved formulation of the Hydraclear technology that combines an oxygen-rich material with a moisture-rich wetting agent. Acuvue Oasys lenses block out greater than 96% of UVA rays and 100% of UVB rays.

Eyecare professionals can now offer their contact lens patients an option that addresses a wide range of lens-comfort issues, while delivering a high level of patient satisfaction, says Vistakon.

Vistakon
Phone: (800) 843-2020
http://www.ecp.acuvue.com

The Lumigan Compliance Aid was developed as a reminder to patients to apply their drops once daily as prescribed.

ALLERGAN, INC.
Lumigan Compliance Aid

■ Allergan, Inc. introduces the Lumigan Compliance Aid, a reminder device designed to assist with increasing patient compliance. This innovative device is part of Allergan's commitment to assisting those with patient-adherence problems. The Lumigan Compliance Aid has been developed as a reminder to patients to apply their drops once daily as prescribed.

The device, designed to fit all Lumigan bottle sizes, contains a light timed to flash and an optional sound alarm if the bottle has not been removed for dosing in 24 hours. After the bottle is removed for dosing and replaced by the patient, the device resets and will begin flashing 24 hours later if the bottle is not again removed.

Allergan, Inc.
Phone: (714) 246-4500
http://www.lumigan.com
 

ICaps MV gives patients an optimal combination of vitamins and nutrients for complete eye and body health.

ICAPS MULTIVITAMIN
Alcon Laboratories

■ Alcon's new ICaps MV multivitamin gives patients an optimal combination of vitamins and nutrients for complete eye and body health. This new product is the first AREDS-based formulation to also contain 23 essential ingredients for the body. With
10 mg of lutein and zeaxanthin, ICaps MV may help reduce the risk of the progression of AMD and is formulated without beta-carotene, which is preferred for patients who smoke.

Alcon Laboratories
Phone: (800) 862-5266
http://www.Icapsvitamins.com