Prolonged Central Nervous System and Respiratory Depression in Preterm Neonates After Exposure to Brimonidine Tartrate and Timolol Maleate Ophthalmic Drops

Overview

Journal GMS Ophthalmol Cases

Specialty Ophthalmology

Date 2020 Jul 18

PMID 32676270

Citations 2

Authors

Corrina P Azarcon

Darby E Santiago

Affiliations

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Abstract

We report three cases of preterm neonates who presented with central nervous system (CNS) and respiratory depression after inadvertent exposure to brimonidine tartrate 0.2% and timolol maleate 0.5% fixed-combination ophthalmic drops. CNS and respiratory depression were observed in the three neonates within two hours of administration of brimonidine tartrate 0.2% and timolol maleate 0.5% eye drops. Respiratory support was initiated upon admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The effects of the drug combination lasted for 24 to 48 hours. This case series suggests that the drug combination of brimonidine tartrate and timolol maleate causes a prolonged depression of the central nervous and respiratory systems in preterm neonates.

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