Efficacy and tolerability of the fixed combination of brinzolamide 1% and timolol 0.5% in daily practice

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to document the efficacy and tolerability of the new fixed-combination (FC) brinzolamide 1%/timolol 0.5% as used in daily practice throughout Germany. METHODS: An open-label, multicenter, observational study of patients was performed that evaluated the transition from prior medication to brinzolamide/timolol FC for the reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP). Ophthalmologists measured IOP at baseline and 4–6 weeks after transition and assessed their satisfaction with brinzolamide/timolol FC. Patients assessed the tolerability of both their previous and new regimens, judged their satisfaction with brinzolamide/timolol, and reported their preference between their previous and new regimens. Patients transitioning from other FC products to brinzolamide/timolol FC were analyzed separately. RESULTS: Data from 14,025 patients from 1161 centers were analyzed. Four to 6 weeks after transition to brinzolamide/timolol, patients experienced a mean IOP decrease of 3.9 ± 4.3 mm Hg (P < 0.0001). All of the predefined patient subgroups (grouped by previous therapy) demonstrated a significant mean IOP reduction following transition to brinzolamide/timolol (P < 0.0001). Patients judged brinzolamide/timolol tolerability more positively than they did their previous therapies (87.2% vs 53.7% favorable assessments) and reported a high satisfaction rating with brinzolamide/timolol (93.4%). Brinzolamide/timolol was preferred over previous therapy at a ratio of almost 9:1. Patients who transitioned from dorzolamide/timolol to brinzolamide/timolol (n = 2937) demonstrated a significant decrease in mean IOP (P < 0.0001), rated brinzolamide/timolol more tolerable than dorzolamide/timolol (88.9% vs 28.9%), and preferred brinzolamide/timolol at a ratio of more than 9:1. Patients who transitioned from brimonidine/timolol (n = 209) demonstrated a significant decrease in mean IOP (P < 0.0001), rated brinzolamide/timolol more tolerable (86.5% vs 32.1%), and preferred brinzolamide/timolol at a ratio of 11.5:1. CONCLUSIONS: The FC brinzolamide 1%/timolol 0.5% produced better IOP control than all previous therapies analyzed and demonstrated favorable tolerability and a high satisfaction rating, resulting in a strong patient preference for brinzolamide/timolol over previous therapies.