Effects of topical flurbiprofen on the intraocular pressure lowering effects of apraclonidine and timolol

• Published in: Archives of ophthalmology (1960) Vol. 109; no. 6; p. 807
• Main Authors: Sulewski, M E, Robin, A L, Cummings, H L, Arkin, L M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.06.1991
• Subjects: Administration, Topical; Adrenergic alpha-Agonists - pharmacology; Adult; Clonidine - analogs & derivatives; Clonidine - pharmacology; Double-Blind Method; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Flurbiprofen - pharmacology; Humans; Intraocular Pressure - drug effects; Male; Middle Aged; Premedication; Prospective Studies; Timolol - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0003-9950
• DOI: 10.1001/archopht.1991.01080060071027

We performed a prospective study that evaluated whether pretreatment with topical flurbiprofen alters the intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effects of either topical 1% apraclonidine hydrochloride or 0.5% timolol maleate. Eighteen normal volunteers participated in this six-armed, randomized, double-masked, crossover study. All subjects received the first study medication, either bilateral 0.3% flurbiprofen or placebo (its vehicle), every 30 minutes for four applications. They next received the second study medication: either 0.5% timolol maleate (Timoptic), 1% apraclonidine hydrochloride, or placebo in both eyes. We measured IOP before the instillation of the first study medication and the second study medication (baseline), and then at 1, 3, and 6 hours later. All subjects underwent all six treatment arms. Flurbiprofen alone had no effect on IOP. Maximum IOP lowering occurred between 3 and 6 hours after timolol and apraclonidine administration. There was no difference in IOP lowering between timolol- and apraclonidine-treated eyes. Pretreatment with flurbiprofen did not affect the IOP lowering that was obtained with timolol or apraclonidine administration.