Nimesulide oral administration increases the intraocular pressure-lowering effect of latanoprost in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To verify the short-term influence of an orally administered nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug on the intraocular pressure (IOP) of primary open-angle glaucoma patients in therapy with a topical prostaglandin analog.

DESIGN

Randomized cross-over double-blind study.

METHODS

Sixteen adults with primary open-angle glaucoma, receiving 0.005% latanoprost eyedrops once daily, were treated with a single dose of either 100 mg nimesulide or placebo. IOP was recorded at baseline and at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours.

RESULTS

After nimesulide administration, there was a decrease in IOP (with a fall at the second hour, P<.01) that remained significant 8 hours later (P<.05). At 12 and 24 hours, there were unremarkable IOP differences between the two regimens.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with primary open-angle glaucoma, single-dose nimesulide significantly enhances the latanoprost-induced IOP-lowering effects during the short plasma half-life of this non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.