Combigan is a combination drop containing brimonidine with which other agent?

Combigan is a combination drop containing brimonidine with which other agent?

• A. Timolol
• B. Latanoprost
• C. Dorzolamide
• D. Prednisolone

Answer: (A)

Combining two drugs that lower eye pressure by different mechanisms gives a greater overall effect than using either alone. Brimonidine is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that reduces aqueous humor production and can modestly boost outflow. Timolol is a nonselective beta-blocker that mainly decreases production of aqueous humor by blocking beta receptors in the ciliary body. In the fixed combination product, these two work together to produce a stronger drop in intraocular pressure than either would alone. This combination is used for open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension and is typically given as one drop twice daily. Because timolol has systemic beta-blocking effects, there can be risks like slowed heart rate or bronchospasm in susceptible individuals, so caution is advised in patients with asthma, COPD, or certain heart conditions. The other drugs listed don’t fit this combination: latanoprost is a prostaglandin analog that increases outflow, dorzolamide lowers production via carbonic anhydrase inhibition (not in this combo), and prednisolone is a corticosteroid that can raise intraocular pressure rather than lower it.

Combining two drugs that lower eye pressure by different mechanisms gives a greater overall effect than using either alone. Brimonidine is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that reduces aqueous humor production and can modestly boost outflow. Timolol is a nonselective beta-blocker that mainly decreases production of aqueous humor by blocking beta receptors in the ciliary body. In the fixed combination product, these two work together to produce a stronger drop in intraocular pressure than either would alone.

This combination is used for open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension and is typically given as one drop twice daily. Because timolol has systemic beta-blocking effects, there can be risks like slowed heart rate or bronchospasm in susceptible individuals, so caution is advised in patients with asthma, COPD, or certain heart conditions.

The other drugs listed don’t fit this combination: latanoprost is a prostaglandin analog that increases outflow, dorzolamide lowers production via carbonic anhydrase inhibition (not in this combo), and prednisolone is a corticosteroid that can raise intraocular pressure rather than lower it.