TOPICALLY EFFECTIVE OCULAR HYPOTENSIVE ACETAZOLAMIDE AND ETHOXYZOLAMIDE FORMULATIONS IN RABBITS

The effect of topically active 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-b eta-CyD) eye-drop formulations containing solutions of acetazolamide, ethoxyzolamide or timolol on the intra-ocular pressure (IOP) was inves tigated in normotensive conscious rabbits. Both acetazolamide and etho xyzolamide were active but their IOP-lowering effect was less than tha t of timolol. The IOP-lowering effects of acetazolamide and ethoxyzola mide and that of timolol appeared to be to some extent additive. Combi nation of acetazolamide and timolol or ethoxyzolamide and timolol in o ne HP-beta-CyD formulation resulted in a significant increase in the d uration of activity compared with HP-beta-CyD formulations containing only acetazolamide, ethoxyzolamide or timolol. Also, it was possible t o increase the IOP-lowering effect of acetazolamide by formulating the drug as a suspension in an aqueous HP-beta-CyD vehicle.