Comparison of Efficacy and Safety of Xalatan(R) with Generic Latanoprost (Xalabiost) in Patients with Glaucoma: A Pilot Study

To compare the efficacy and safety of Xalatan(R) with generic Latanoprost (Xalabiost) in glaucoma. In this randomized crossover study, 17 patients with primary open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension were randomized into 2 groups. Group A received Xalatan for 6 weeks followed by Xalabiost for 10 weeks. Group B received Xalabiost for 6 weeks which was then crossed over to Xalatan for 10 weeks. At the baseline visit and the end of weeks 6 and 16, intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured at 9, 12 and 15 o’clock and the patients were asked and examined for adverse effects of the drugs. IOP at baseline was 20.83±3.34 mmHg in group A and 23.33±6.71 mmHg in group B (P=0.155). After 6 weeks IOP (% reduction) was 15.57±3.81 mmHg (24.05%) in group A and 17.62±3.43 mmHg (18.83%) in group B (P=0.373). At the end of week 16, mean IOP was 14.26±2.68 mmHg (28.60%) in group A and 16.90±2.74 mmHg (21.11%) in group B (P=0.167). The most common adverse effects with both drugs were hyperemia and itching; although more frequent while receiving Xalatan, the difference was not significant. In our study, Both Xalatan and Xalabiost decreased IOP significantly and similarly, and the incidence of adverse effects was not significantly different between the two drugs.