| |
|
| PROSTAGLANDINS |
Lumigan, Travatan,
Xalatan |
| Dosage |
Once a day, at bedtime |
| Reduction in pressure
1 |
28-33% (Lumigan, and Travatan may be
slightly stronger than Xalatan |
| Wholesale cost per day
2 |
Lumigan ($ 0.95), Travatan ($ 1.01),
Xalatan ($ 1.25) |
| Significant side
effects |
Redness and dryness
in the first 4-6 weeks of use is common and usually goes away. Longer
lasting symptoms may include: red eyes and eyelids, dryness, longer,
thicker eyelashes, may darken light brown or green colored eyes, dark
circles around the eyes. The darkening effects may be permanent. Lumigan
may be more irritating than Xalatan. |
| |
|
| BETA- BLOCKERS |
Timolol (Timoptic,
Betimol, Istalol), Metipranolol (Optipranolol), Betaxolol (Betoptic),
Carteolol (Ocupress) |
| Dosage |
Once or Twice daily |
| Reduction in pressure
1 |
Timolol, Optipranolol, 25% Betaxolol is a little
weaker |
| Wholesale cost per day
2 |
Timoptic,
Optipranolol ($ 0.38-0.50)
Betagan, Betoptic S,
Ocupress, Istalol ($ 0.88-1.11) |
| Significant side
effects |
Should not be used by
asthmatics or patients with emphysema. May result in slow heart rate,
congestive heart failure or arrhythmia (may be very serious in
susceptible individuals). Low blood pressure. Fatigue. |
| |
|
| ALPHA- AGONISTS |
Brimonidine (Alphagan, Alphagan P) |
| Dosage |
Two or Three times daily (every 8
hours or every 12 hours, as directed) |
| Reduction in pressure
1 |
18-25% |
| Wholesale cost per day
2 |
Alphagan P® ($ 1.29) |
| Significant side
effects |
Cannot be used with
certain medications for depression (monoamine oxidase inhibitors or
tricyclic antidepressants). Red, itchy eyes and eyelids. Generic
brimonidine is more likely to cause irritations than Alphagan P® |
| |
|
| CAI- DROPS or
PILLS |
Dorzolamide (Trusopt),
Brinzolamide(Azopt), Acetazolamide (Diamox pills) |
| Dosage |
Two or Three times daily (every 8
hours or every 12 hours, as directed) |
| Reduction in pressure
1 |
Dorzolamide 17-22%, and Brinzolamide
17% |
| Wholesale cost per day
2 |
Azopt ($ 0.69-1.04) Trusopt ($
0.89-1.33) |
| Significant side
effects |
May experience a
bitter, sour, or unusual taste. Should not be used by patients allergic
to sulfonamides. Should not be used in patients with G6PD. Kidney
stones. Rarely severe anemia.
CAI pills are more likely to cause side
effects than CAI drops. |
| |
|
| MIOTICS |
Pilocarpine drops, Pilopine Gel HS,
carbachol, phospholine iodide |
| Dosage |
One to four times daily as prescribed. |
| Reduction in pressure
1 |
30% |
| Wholesale cost per day
2 |
Pilocarpine drops ($ 0.27-0.36),
Pilopine gel HS ($1.13) |
| Significant side
effects |
Headaches or achy eyebrows. Should not be
used by patients with inflammatory eye diseases. May predispose to
retinal detachment in higher doses. |
| |
|
| COMBINATION
DROPS |
Cosopt (Timolol +
Dorzolamide) |
| Dosage |
Twice daily |
| Reduction in pressure
1 |
A little better than either drug alone |
| Wholesale cost per day
2 |
Cosopt ($1.09) |
| Significant side
effects |
see Beta Blockers AND CAI- drops |
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