Efficacy of the combination of carteolol hydrochloride + latanoprost in the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The only evidence-based mechanism for prevention and treatment of glaucomatous optic neuropathy is decreasing the intraocular pressure (IOP). Prescribing multiple ocular hypotensive agents, such as the combination of carteolol and latanoprost, may synergistically improve IOP; however, doing so may increase the complexity of a medication regimen, in turn, impairing patient adherence. Fixed-combination glaucoma medications offer convenience and effectiveness. New to this class of glaucoma medication is fixed combination carteolol-latanoprost (FCCL).

Area covered: This review intends to give the reader a better understanding of the efficacy of the combination of carteolol and latanoprost separately, and where FCCL fits into the vast medical arsenal of IOP drops. Furthermore, it outlines the particular pharmacologic mechanisms targeted, the pharmacokinetics, effectiveness, the advantages of fixed-combination administration, and tolerability.

Expert opinion: The combination of carteolol and latanoprost, separately or in a fixed-combination, is more effective than either drug alone. Given the early stage in development of FCCL, it has yet to be determined how FCCL compares to other fixed-combination medications. However, pending further approval, fixed-combination carteolol-latanoprost may represent a reasonable alternative for a patient whose IOP is inadequately controlled on a prostaglandin analog alone and for whom a simplified combination is preferred.

KEYWORDS:

• Adherence
• beta-adrenergic antagonis
• Carteolol
• fixed-combination carteolol-latanoprost
• Glaucoma
• Latanoprost
• Ocular hypertension
• Prostaglandin analogues
• tolerability

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose

Box 1. Drug summary box.

Additional information

Funding

This manuscript was not funded.