Hypotensive Effect of Betaxolol Hydrochloride(Betoptic) In Normal Volunteers: Comparative study With Timolol

ABSTRACT

Betaxolol Hydrochloride was compared with Timolol in view of the hypotensive effect. Thirty five normal volunteers(70 eyes) of the third decade were enrolled in this study. Thirty volunteers of experimental group were devided into three groups, -0.5% Betaxolol group, 0.25% Timolol group and 0.5% Timolol group. The remaining five volunteers(10 eyes) were used as control group. Double masked single dose study was done by instillating each eye solution into the randomly selected one eye. The intraocular pressure(IOP), Pupil size, Visual acuity, blood pressure, and pulse rate were measured before the instillation of eye solution at first and 30 minutes. 1,2,4,6,12, and 24 hours after the and the statistical significance was estimated by using the paired t-test. The following results were obtained 1. 0.5% Betaxolol showed a significant reduction of IOP from 30 minutes to 12 hours after the instillation and maximum IOP reduction(18.9 +/- 3.4%) was noted at 4 hours after the instillation. 2. Statistically significant IOP reduction was noted in the contralateral eyes of both Betaxolol and Timolol groups. 3. After the treatment with Betaxolol, the pupil size, visual acuity, blood pressure, and pulse rate were not significantly changed. Transient mild stinging sensation was noted as a local side effect after the instillation of the Betaxolol.