Fixed Combination of Carteolol and Pilocarpine Eye-Drops: A Double-Blind Randomized Cross-Over Trial versus Carteolol Alone on Intra-Ocular Pressure

Abstract

The effects of carteolol 2% and a fixed combination of carteolol 2% and pilocarpine 2% (CBS 341 A) eye-drops on intraocular pressure (I.O.P.) were compared in a multicenter double-blind, cross-over prospective trial. Twenty-eight patients were initially selected after at least three weeks of carteolol 2%, with a morning I.O.P. greater than 21-mmHg. They received 2 drops a day (b.i.d.), in a random order, alternating two weeks of carteolol 2% alone or two weeks of CBS 341 A. After each two-week period a 12-h I.O.P. curve was plotted. Compared to carteolol the combination reduced I.O.P. on average by around 20% (4 mmHg), with maximum effect 4h after instillation. The effectiveness was confirmed after twelve hours. Some side effects were reported with CBS 341 A, due to the well known pharmacological effects of pilocarpine. The new combination could be useful for second-line therapy in glaucoma.