Apraclonidine hydrochloride: an evaluation of plasma concentrations, and a comparison of its intraocular pressure lowering and cardiovascular effects to timolol maleate.

We performed a prospective, placebo-controlled, cross-over study in 20 young healthy female volunteers. We evaluated both the cardiovascular and IOP effects of both timolol maleate and apraclonidine hydrochloride. In addition, we evaluated the plasma levels of various apraclonidine concentrations. We utilized 0.5% timolol and both the 0.25% and 0.50% concentrations of apraclonidine. Both timolol and apraclonidine lowered IOP comparably. Timolol lowered the resting pulse rate and blunted exercise-induced tachycardia. Apraclonidine did not affect blood pressure or heart rate any differently than placebo. We detected plasma levels of apraclonidine in many individuals for up to 8 hours. These serum levels were variable and did not appear to relate to the quantity of IOP lowering.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes