This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Reply to article  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Citing articles on Web of Science (53)  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

Incidence of Allergic Reactions

Patrick Butler, MD; Molly Mannschreck, MD; Shan Lin, MD; Ivan Hwang, MD; Jorge Alvarado, MD

Arch Ophthalmol. 1995;113(3):293-296.

Abstract
Objective
To identify the incidence and characteristics of allergic reactions associated with the long-term use of 1% apraclonidine hydrochloride.

Methods
We undertook a retrospective analysis of 64 patients receiving long-term 1% apraclonidine therapy at the University of California—San Francisco Glaucoma Service. Patients were excluded if the duration of treatment was less than 2 weeks. Demographic data, initial intraocular pressure response, and incidence and characteristics of allergic reactions were obtained through chart review. Student's t test and ² analysis were used to analyze the demographic data, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to estimate the long-term incidence of local reactions.

Results
Sixty-four patients met the criteria for the study. Of these, 31 (48%) developed an allergic reaction (responders) that led to discontinuation of treatment with the medication, with a mean latency of 4.7 months. Mean follow-up was 13.3 months. Patients free of local reactions (nonresponders) for at least 10 months were able to successfully continue apraclonidine use. Responders tended to be older and female.

Conclusions
Our data are specific for the 1% preparation; however, physicians prescribing apraclonidine on a long-term basis should be aware of possible allergic reactions. A substantial percentage of patients developed this side effect, but most tolerated the medication for up to 4 months, and those without a local reaction after 10 months appeared to be able to continue apraclonidine use indefinitely. This allergic reaction is likely related to the adrenergic agent itself, and not to preservatives.

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Ophthalmology, University of California—San Francisco. Dr Butler is now with the Division of Ophthalmology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Reduced Ocular Allergy With Fixed-Combination 0.2% Brimonidine-0.5% Timolol
Alvarado
Arch Ophthalmol 2007;125:717-717.
FULL TEXT  

Aqueous Humor Flow in Normal Human Eyes Treated With Brimonidine and Timolol, Alone and in Combination
Larsson
Arch Ophthalmol 2001;119:492-495.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Iopidine allergy causing lower eyelid ectropion progressing to cicatricial entropion
BRITT and BURNSTINE
Br J Ophthalmol 1999;83:987f-987.
FULL TEXT  

Medical Management of Glaucoma
Alward
NEJM 1998;339:1298-1307.
FULL TEXT  

A 1-Year Study of Brimonidine Twice Daily in Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension: A Controlled, Randomized, Multicenter Clinical Trial
Schuman et al.
Arch Ophthalmol 1997;115:847-852.
ABSTRACT  

A 90-Day Study of the Efficacy and Side Effects of 0.25% and 0.5% Apraclonidine vs 0.5% Timolol
Stewart et al.
Arch Ophthalmol 1996;114:938-942.
ABSTRACT  

High Incidence of Topical Allergic Reactions to 1 % Apraclonidine
Feibel
Arch Ophthalmol 1995;113:1579-1579.
ABSTRACT