FDA approves combination suspension for glaucoma

Basel, Switzerland-The FDA has approved Simbrinza suspension (Alcon) for the reduction of elevated IOP in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

The medication is a fixed-dose combination that offers a wide range of treatment possibilities due to its strong efficacy and ability to decrease elevated IOP by 21% to 35%. In addition, it is the only available, fixed-dose combination therapy for glaucoma in the United States that does not contain a beta blocker.

“Given its excellent efficacy, established safety profile, and the fact that it is the only available fixed-dose combination without a beta blocker approved in the United States, Simbrinza has the potential to re-shape the treatment paradigm for glaucoma,” said Robert Warner, area president, United States and Canada for Alcon.

The new ophthalmic suspension is a fixed-dose combination of a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (brinzolamide 1.0%) and an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist (brimonidine tartrate 0.2%) combined into one multi-dose bottle.

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