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AimsTo compare intraocular pressure (IOP) reductions with fixed-combination (FC) latanoprost/timolol once daily in the evening vsFC dorzolamide/timolol twice daily.MethodsThis evaluator-masked, multicentre, controlled clinical trial randomized subjects with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension with IOP insufficiently responsive to β-blocker therapy (screening IOP>21 and <37 mm Hg) to FC latanoprost–timolol (N=135) or FC dorzolamide/timolol (N=135). At screening, baseline, and after 4 and 12 weeks of therapy, IOP was measured three times at 0800, 1200, and 1600 hours. Adverse events were recorded at each visit. The primary efficacy end point was whether either FC could be shown to be inferior to the other with respect to change in mean daytime IOP from baseline to week 12.ResultsMean daytime IOP levels were similar at baseline. Mean reductions in daytime IOP from baseline to week 12 were −9.7 mm Hg for FC latanoprost–timolol and −9.5 mm Hg for FC dorzolamide/timolol. The difference between FC latanoprost/timolol–FC dorzolamide–timolol was −0.2 mm Hg (95% confidence interval (CI), −0.8 to –0.4 mm Hg). The upper bound of the 95% CI was <1.5 mm Hg, indicating that neither FC is inferior to the other. However, a significantly greater percentage of subjects treated with FC latanoprost/timolol achieved IOP levels 16 and 15 mm Hg (P0.01). Both treatments were well tolerated.ConclusionsWhen β-blocker therapy is inadequate, either FC may achieve the desired IOP level, but FC latanoprost/timolol more oftenly achieves a pressure of 16 mm Hg. Both FCs were well tolerated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe two cases of rhabdomyolysis in patients taking lovastatin that were precipitated by the use of the newer macrolide antibiotics clarithromycin and azithromycin., Case Summaries: In each case, the patients were treated over 5 years with lovastatin and developed rhabdomyolysis that coincided with the completion of a prescribed regimen of a newer macrolide antibiotic. Following intravenous hydration and administration of bicarbonate, the patients' condition resolved without permanent' sequelae., Discussion: Rhabdomyolysis is a clinical syndrome resulting from the destruction of skeletal muscle that may progress to renal failure Several drugs have been associated with rhabdomyolysis, including lovastatin, a hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor. Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that may increase the risk of lovastatin-induced rhabdomyolysis. To our knowledge, these cases are the first published reports of lovastatin-induced rhabdomyolysis associated with azithromycin and clarithromycin., Conclusions: The risk of drug-induced rhabdomyolysis due to the potential interaction between lovastatin and azithromycin or clarithromycin should be considered before the concomitant use of these agents.