A cross-over trial comparing once daily levobunolol with once and twice daily timolol

• Published in: European journal of ophthalmology Vol. 5; no. 3; p. 172
• Main Authors: Akafo, S K, Thompson, J R, Rosenthal, A R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.07.1995
• Subjects: Adrenergic beta-Antagonists - administration & dosage; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists - therapeutic use; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cross-Over Studies; Double-Blind Method; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Glaucoma, Open-Angle - drug therapy; Humans; Intraocular Pressure - drug effects; Levobunolol - administration & dosage; Levobunolol - therapeutic use; Male; Middle Aged; Ocular Hypertension - drug therapy; Ophthalmic Solutions; Timolol - administration & dosage; Timolol - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 1120-6721
• DOI: 10.1177/112067219500500305

The intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering efficacy of once-daily levobunolol 0.5% was compared with timolol 0.5% twice-daily and timolol 0.5% once-daily in 20 chronic open angle glaucoma and 5 ocular hypertensive patients. The design used was a randomised double blind cross-over trial with three periods each of 8 weeks separated by 2 weeks of no treatment. We found that following levobunolol a two week washout was not sufficient for the IOP to return to its original baseline level suggesting that levobunolol is a longer acting drug than timolol. Adjusting for this carryover effect, we found on significant difference in the IOP lowering effect among the three regimes (p = 0.53). Reduced cost, less ocular discomfort and better compliance are the main potential advantages of the once daily treatments.