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Clinicians say new combination IOP-lowering agent is safe, effective
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SAN DIEGO – Practitioners can expect to see an additional 1 mm Hg to 3 mm Hg lower IOP with a new brinzolamide and brimonidine tartrate suspension than with either product alone, according to two presenters here at an Alcon-sponsored event.
Simbrinza (brinzolamide 1%/brimonidine tartrate 0.2% suspension, Alcon) should be used to lower IOP “in patients who are progressing or who have not reached their target pressure,” Leo P. Semes, OD, said at this symposium held during Optometry’s Meeting.
“There is nothing new in the safety information,” he continued. “It is the same as for the individual ingredients.”
Co-presenter Robert Wooldridge, OD, pointed out that the two drugs have complementary mechanisms of action.
“As a topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, brinzolamide decreases aqueous production, while the alpha agonist brimonidine both reduces aqueous production and increases aqueous outflow,” he said.
Semes said Simbrinza, which is indicated for open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension, will deliver 25% to 35% IOP lowering efficacy.
“It’s an innovation in terms of the formulation,” he said. “This has been well tested, and the experience with these individual components is well known.”
Semes said he would use it as adjunctive therapy for patients who have not met their target pressure or in advanced patients with visual field progression.
Wooldridge added that he would use Simbrinza as primary therapy in patients who cannot tolerate a prostaglandin.
Disclosures: Semes is a member of the Alcon Advisory Board and Speaker's Bureau. Wooldridge received an honorarium for speaking at this event.