Purpose: To evaluate brimonidine (AlphaganR-Allergan) monotherapy for IOP lowering effectiveness compared with the patient’s dual glaucoma therapy, latanoprost (XalatanR-Pharmacia and Upjohn) and a beta-blocker.
Methods: Prospective, open-label, 8-week study. Patients on latanoprost with a beta-blocker (N=37) were evaluated at baseline and at two and eight weeks after switching to brimonidine-BID monotherapy. Patients were queried for quality-of-life effects including: comfort, convenience of dosing regimen, any noticeable change in vision, ease of remembering to use drops, and overall satisfaction at baseline and at the follow-up visits. At week 8, the patient’s physician made his/her recommendation if the patient should remain on brimonidine monotherapy.
Results: At week 8, 57% (21/37) of completed patients achieved the same or lower IOP on brimonidine monotherapy compared with baseline on dual-therapy. 81% (17/21) of these patients were recommended to remain on brimonidine monotherapy. 43% (16/37) of completed patients had an increase in IOP, and the majority of these patients (9/16) were recommended by their doctors to remain on brimonidine monotherapy due to increased patient satisfaction. Overall, 70% of patients were recommended to remain on brimonidine monotherapy due to IOP control and increased quality-of-life effects.
Conclusion: Many patients using latanoprost with a beta-blocker can be more effectively controlled with brimonidine monotherapy taking efficacy, quality-of-life effects, and cost into account.
CR: C5 Supported in part by an unrestricted grant from Allergan.