Ocular anti-inflammatory is now available, phase IIIb results completed

Tampa, FL-A topical ophthalmic corticosteroid (Durezol, Sirion Therapeutics) indicated for the treatment of inflammation and pain associated with ocular surgery is now commercially available.

Also announced by the manufacturer was the completion of two phase IIIb studies that evaluated the corticosteroid for the management of postoperative inflammation in which treatment was initiated one day prior to surgery.

"The phase IIIb studies represent an approach to therapy that is most similar to the current standard of care, meaning most physicians treat inflammation prophylactically rather than waiting for it to occur," said Steven Silverstein, MD, of Silverstein Eye Centers. Dr. Silverstein was a principal investigator in the q.i.d. study and also serves as a clinical assistant professor of ophthalmology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine and the University of Health Sciences.

"Overall, the results from these studies show that by any definition utilized, [the corticosteroid] administered both b.i.d. and q.i.d. was more effective than placebo in treating postoperative ocular inflammation and relieving ocular pain/discomfort as early as Day 3/4," Dr. Silverstein said.