Physicians' guide to interactions between glaucoma and systemic medications.

PURPOSE

To develop a Physicians' Guide to assist clinicians in the concomitant use of glaucoma and systemic medications.

METHODS

The records of 100 consecutive patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma were retrospectively studied to determine the most common systemic medications that are prescribed in this population. The ten most common drug classes were then used to construct a guide to potential interactions and side effects when these medications are used concomitantly with glaucoma drugs.

RESULTS

Eighty-four patients were receiving 1 or more medications (a mean of 3.5) for a mean of 2.6 systemic conditions. Systemic antihypertensive agents was the most common class of drugs, being used by 48 patients. Aspirin, the most common single systemic drug, was being used by 25 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

A high percentage of patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma receive a wide variety of medications for coexisting systemic disorders. The concomitant use of glaucoma and systemic medications creates the potential for drug interactions, as well as side effects for both groups of drugs, for which the Physicians' Guide may be beneficial.