Article: A dose-response study of oral atenolol administered once daily in patients with raised intra-ocular pressure

Oral atenolol (25, 50 and 100mg) and placebo administered once daily were tested in a double-masked, randomized cross-over study. Ten patients (18 eyes) who had untreated intraocular pressure (IOP) greater than or equal to 22 mm Hg participated. A fall in IOP was observed 2 h after administration, with a mean maximum after 2-5 h. The decrease in IOP was dose-dependent and persisted 24 h during treatment with the higher doses. After 7-day treatment a significant decrease in IOP was still noted 24 h after intake of 50 and 100 mg. The mean maximum decrease in IOP was observed at the same time as on day 1, but the fall in IOP was slightly diminished. During the treatment period a reduction in pulse rate was seen with all the doses tested. A fall in systemic blood pressure was also observed with the higher doses. Two patients reported side effects that could be related to haemodynamic influence.

Citing Articles

A Small Molecule Inhibitor of VE-PTP Activates Tie2 in Schlemm's Canal Increasing Outflow Facility and Reducing Intraocular Pressure.

Li G, Nottebaum A, Brigell M, Navarro I, Ipe U, Mishra S Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2020; 61(14):12.

PMID: 33315051 PMC: 7735951. DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.14.12.

Systemic medication and intraocular pressure in a British population: the EPIC-Norfolk Eye Study.

Khawaja A, Chan M, Broadway D, Garway-Heath D, Luben R, Yip J Ophthalmology. 2014; 121(8):1501-7.

PMID: 24702754 PMC: 4109027. DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2014.02.009.

References

1.

Elliot M, Cullen P, Phillips C . Ocular hypotensive effect of atenolol (Tenormin, I.C.I.). A new beta-adrenergic blocker. Br J Ophthalmol. 1975; 59(6):296-300. PMC: 1042624. DOI: 10.1136/bjo.59.6.296. View

2.

Nilsson O, Karlberg B, Ohlsson O, Thulin T, Tolagen K . Atenolol administered once daily in primary hypertension. Effects on blood pressure in relation to pre-treatment plasma renin activity. Acta Med Scand. 1979; 206(4):303-8. View

3.

MacDonald M, Cullen P, Phillips C . Atenolol versus propranolol. A comparison of ocular hypotensive effect of an oral dose. Br J Ophthalmol. 1976; 60(11):789-91. PMC: 1042840. DOI: 10.1136/bjo.60.11.789. View

4.

Brenkman R . Long-term hypotensive effect of atenolol 4% eyedrops. Br J Ophthalmol. 1978; 62(5):287-91. PMC: 1043215. DOI: 10.1136/bjo.62.5.287. View

5.

Norell S, Granstrom P . Self-medication with pilocarpine among outpatients in a glaucoma clinic. Br J Ophthalmol. 1980; 64(2):137-41. PMC: 1039365. DOI: 10.1136/bjo.64.2.137. View

6.

Wettrell K . Intraocular pressure reduction during treatment with pilocarpine and systemic propranolol. A comparative double-masked study. Albrecht Von Graefes Arch Klin Exp Ophthalmol. 1977; 204(1):1-7. DOI: 10.1007/BF02387411. View

7.

Wettrell K, Pandolfi M . Effect of topical atenolol on intraocular pressure. Br J Ophthalmol. 1977; 61(5):334-8. PMC: 1042964. DOI: 10.1136/bjo.61.5.334. View

8.

Wettrell K, Pandolfi M . Early dose response analysis of ocular hypotensive effects of propranolol in patients with ocular hypertension. Br J Ophthalmol. 1976; 60(10):680-3. PMC: 1042808. DOI: 10.1136/bjo.60.10.680. View

9.

Zimmerman T, Boger 3rd W . The beta-adrenergic blocking agents and the treatment of glaucoma. Surv Ophthalmol. 1979; 23(6):347-62. DOI: 10.1016/0039-6257(79)90228-5. View

10.

Barrett A, Carter J, Fitzgerald J, Hull R, Le Count D . A new type of cardioselective adrenoceptive blocking drug. Br J Pharmacol. 1973; 48(2):340P. PMC: 1776195. View

11.

Heel R, Brogden R, Speight T, Avery G . Timolol: a review of its therapeutic efficacy in the topical treatment of glaucoma. Drugs. 1979; 17(1):38-55. DOI: 10.2165/00003495-197917010-00002. View

12.

Phillips C, Howitt G, Rowlands D . Propranolol as ocular hypotensive agent. Br J Ophthalmol. 1967; 51(4):222-6. PMC: 506370. DOI: 10.1136/bjo.51.4.222. View

A Dose-response Study of Oral Atenolol Administered Once Daily in Patients with Raised Intra-ocular Pressure