The data show that the IOP-lowering benefit of adjunctive therapy with XALATAN once daily was sustainable over 5 years. IOP was reduced by an average of 6.3 mmHg at 36 months, 5.9 mmHg at 48 months, and 6.0 mmHg at 60 months. During the 5-year study, IOP was well controlled without treatment modification or the need for surgery in 72 percent of patients.
"This study shows that XALATAN is effective and well tolerated both locally and systemically for long-term management of elevated IOP in open-angle glaucoma as adjunctive therapy," said Professor Albert Alm, Department of Ophthalmology, Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden.
The study was conducted as a two-year extension of a three-year open-label trial in 519 patients with OAG and uncontrolled IOP, despite previous treatment; there were 380 participants in the two-year extension. IOP was measured regularly every four months until month 48, and then every six months.
Increased iris pigmentation was reported during the study - an effect which is seen with all ophthalmic prostaglandin OAG therapies - particularly in patients with green-brown, yellow-brown or blue-grey/brown irides.
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