Dipivefrin Hydrochloride

Dipivefrin hydrochloride ophthalmic solution is indicated as initial therapy for the control of intraocular pressure in chronic open-angle glaucoma. Patients responding inadequately to other antiglaucoma therapy may respond to addition of dipivefrin.

In controlled and open-label studies of glaucoma, dipivefrin demonstrated a statistically significant intraocular pressure lowering effect. Patients using dipivefrin twice daily in studies with mean durations of 76-146 days experienced mean pressure reductions ranging from 20-24%.

Therapeutic response to 0.1% dipivefrin twice daily is somewhat less than 2% epinephrine twice daily. Controlled studies showed statistically significant differences in lowering of intraocular pressure between 0.1% dipivefrin and 2% epinephrine. In controlled studies in patients with a history of epinephrine intolerance, only 3% of patients treated with dipivefrin exhibited intolerance, while 55% of those treated with epinephrine again developed intolerance.

Therapeutic response to 0.1% dipivefrin twice daily is comparable to 2% pilocarpine 4 times daily. In controlled clinical studies comparing 0.1% dipivefrin and 2% pilocarpine, there were no statistically significant differences in the maintenance of IOP levels for the two medications.

Dipivefrin does not produce miosis or accommodative spasm which cholinergic agents are known to produce. The blurred vision and night blindness often associated with miotic agents are not present with dipivefrin therapy. Patients with cataracts avoid the inability to see around lenticular opacities caused by constricted pupil.