A single dose study of topical befunolol on intraocular pressure in man
Takase, M.; Araie, M.; Matsuo, T.
Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi 86(1): 87-98
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-0203 PMID: 6123243 Document Number: 195201
Hypotensive effect of befunolol hydrochloride, a .beta. adrenergic blocking agent, was studied in 32 normal volunteers, 3 patients with primary open angle glaucoma and 8 patients with ocular hypertension. A single dose study was carried out in 1 eye after topical befunolol solution and in the other eye after topical placebo solution served as a control. The hypotensive effects were expressed by the difference of the intraocular pressure between both eyes. A single dose study of normal volunteers demonstrated a dose response for this drug using concentrations of 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0%. The slope of the duration of a hypotensive effect plotted against the logarithmic drug concentrations was computed to .apprx. 0.28/h and its extrapolation gave an average least effective concentration of 0.09%. The hypotensive effects in patients with ocular hypertension and primary open angle glaucoma were dose dependent. Befunolol solution was used at 4 dosage strengths: placebo and 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0%. The rate of effect disappearance was calculated at .apprx. 0.14/h and the least effective concentration was .apprx. 0.023%. No local or systemic adverse reactions were produced.