Effect of ophthalmic administration of S-596 (Arotinolol) on intraocular pressure and haemodynamics in health volunteers: comparison with timolol.

The effects on intraocular pressure (IOP) and haemodynamics of two beta-blockers, arotinolol and timolol, administered topically to the eye, were studied in 6 healthy volunteers in a cross-over trial. 0.5% timolol or 0.5% arotinolol ophthalmic solutions drop was instilled in both eyes of the volunteers at an interval of 48 hours. Timolol lowered IOP by about 31.9% 1 hour after administration and the effect continued until 3 h, whilst arotinolol lowered it significantly 2 h after instillation and the same maximum effect as that of timolol was obtained after 3 h. Arotinolol was detected in blood in all subject and timolol in blood in one subject, although it was found in all subjects in urine. Both drugs lowered heart rate at rest and attenuated the increase in the double product (products of blood pressure and heart rate) at exercise. The effect of timolol on the double products was larger. Thus, arotinolol and timolol decreased IOP to similar extent, although the maximal effect of arotinolol was delayed. Arotinolol as well as timolol affected haemodynamics through absorption into circulation, but the former had less effect on haemodynamics during exercise.