Prolonged effectiveness of bepotastine besilate ophthalmic solution for the treatment of ocular symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis.

PURPOSE

This clinical trial evaluated the safety and effectiveness of bepotastine besilate ophthalmic solutions 1.0% and 1.5% compared with placebo for the treatment of ocular itching and conjunctival hyperemia (redness) using the conjunctival allergen challenge (CAC) model of allergic conjunctivitis when dosed 16 h before a CAC test.

METHODS

Subjects with a history of allergic conjunctivitis were assigned to receive placebo or bepotastine besilate ophthalmic solution 1.0% or 1.5% in a single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Eligible subjects (n=107) aged 10 years and older with a history of allergic conjunctivitis who had a reproducible positive reaction to a CAC were enrolled and dosed with test agent. The primary trial objectives included assessment of ocular itching and conjunctival redness at 16 h after instillation of test agent. Reductions in several CAC-induced secondary symptoms and signs of allergic conjunctivitis were also evaluated for tearing, ciliary and episcleral redness, eyelid swelling, chemosis, and mucous discharge.

RESULTS

Bepotastine besilate ophthalmic solution 1.5% demonstrated clinical effectiveness and statistical significance in comparison to placebo for the reduction in CAC-induced ocular itching 16 h after drug administration. Bepotastine besilate ophthalmic solution 1.0% also achieved statistical significance in comparison to placebo for reducing ocular itching at all time points 16 h after dosing. Statistically significant reduction (P≤0.05) was additionally seen in this CAC test for the secondary ocular efficacy variable of allergen-induced tearing for bepotastine besilate ophthalmic solution 1.5%. No clinical benefit was seen for reducing the coprimary efficacy variable of conjunctival redness with the CAC model of allergic conjunctivitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Bepotastine besilate ophthalmic solution 1.5% produced predefined clinically meaningful reduction in CAC-induced ocular itching and tearing in a single-site trial and was more effective than bepotastine besilate ophthalmic solution 1.0% and placebo for reducing ocular itching in a CAC test 16 h after dosing.