The additive intraocular pressure-lowering effect of latanoprost in combined therapy with other ocular hypotensive agents

Abstract

Latanoprost, a prostaglandin F2 alpha analogue prodrug, has been shown to be an effective ocular hypotensive agent when used alone on ocular hypertensive or open angle glaucoma patients. In various studies, the ocular hypotensive effects of latanoprost have also been evaluated when used in addition to, or in combination with, other ocular hypotensive agents. Latanoprost produces an additional reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) when used in combination with timolol, pilocarpine, acetazolamide and dipivefrin. These represent four different classes of glaucoma drugs-beta-adrenergic antagonists, cholinergic agonists, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and adrenergic agonists-all of which reduce the IOP by different mechanisms (reduction of aqueous humor production, increased outflow facility, or by a mixed effect on aqueous humor dynamics). All the available evidence shows that latanoprost produces a clinically significant additive ocular hypotensive effect when used in combination with any currently available ocular hypotensive agent.