Source: Anti-Cancer Drugs  |  Posted 10 years ago

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL -- May 8, 2002 -- Switching to Xalatan? (latanoprost ophthalmic solution) once daily from monotherapy with other medications, including prostaglandin derivatives, for open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension resulted in improved or maintained intraocular pressure (IOP) control, according to new data presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting in Fort Lauderdale. Mean IOP in the 825 patients who completed the study improved by 3.0+/-3.4 mmHg after switching from another medication to six weeks treatment with Xalatan. The study also found low discontinuation rates (3.0%) of Xalatan due to adverse events over the treatment period.

"Xalatan is an appropriate choice when considering a change in glaucoma medication, since it consistently lowered IOP in these patients," said Dr. TJ Zimmerman, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY. "A good adverse event profile may help improve patient compliance."

Study participants switched to Xalatan because they or their physician were not satisfied with previous monotherapy due to lack of efficacy, adverse events, inconvenience or cost. Of the 599 patients who switched to Xalatan due to inadequate IOP control, 83 percent had >1 mmHg further reduction in IOP. Of the 139 patients who switched to Xalatan due to adverse events, 90 percent experienced resolution of the adverse event and maintained IOP control. 67 percent of the 150 patients who switched due to non-compliance, inconvenience, or cost of previous therapy experienced >1 mmHg reduction in IOP after switching.

A total of 825 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension completed the ongoing, multicenter, prospective, open-label study. All patients administered Xalatan once daily into their affected eye(s) for six weeks. IOP was measured before the switch to Xalatan and after six weeks of therapy with Xalatan.

The most common adverse events among the 27 patients who discontinued the study due to adverse events were generally consistent with the established adverse event profile for Xalatan.

Pharmacia Corporation manufactures Xalatan? (latanoprost ophthalmic solution), the world?s number one brand of glaucoma medication based on value share. Xalatan is indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open angle glaucoma, chronic angle closure glaucoma, and ocular hypertension.

The most commonly reported side effects in eyes of patients treated with Xalatan for 6 months in clinical trials include eye irritation, eyelid redness, irritation of the clear front part surface of the eye, eyelid inflammation, darkening of eye colour, and eye pain. Xalatan may gradually change the eye colour in the treated eye by increasing the amount of brown colour; this colour change may be permanent.

Notes to Editors
Glaucoma is a complex group of eye disorders having a common feature of optic nerve damage. Conditions commonly associated with glaucoma include elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), cupping of the optic disc and loss of peripheral vision. There are usually no warning signs with glaucoma.

Xalatan is a prostaglandin analog that is a modification of a naturally occurring substance present in various forms throughout the body. In the eye, prostaglandins appear to reduce IOP by increasing drainage of aqueous humor.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness and vision loss affecting more than 60 million people worldwide.

Pharmacia Corporation markets several ophthalmic pharmaceutical and surgical products including Xalatan?, which is now available in more than 50 countries and is one of the company?s top-selling global products.

Pharmacia Corporation is a top-tier global pharmaceutical company with a leading agricultural subsidiary. Pharmacia?s innovative medicines and other products save lives and enhance health and wellness. Pharmacia?s 59,000 people work together with many diverse stakeholders to bring these benefits to people around the world, and to create new health solutions for the future.

Xalatan? is a registered trademark of Pharmacia Corporation.
Websites: www.pharmacia.com and www.xalatan.com

Media Contact:
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SOURCE: Pharmacia Corp.