General Information

Zioptan (tafluprost ophthalmic solution) is a fluorinated analog of prostaglandin F2a. It acts on the same receptors in the eye as the natural prostaglandins. It causes an increase in the drainage of aqueous humour out of the eyeball, which decreases the pressure within the eye.

Zioptan was specifically approved for reducing elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Zioptan is supplied as a solution for intraocular injection. The recommended initial dose is one drop in the conjunctival sac of the affected eye(s) once daily in the evening.

Clinical Results

FDA Approval
The FDA approval of Zioptan was based on clinical studies up to 24 months in duration. Subjects with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension and baseline pressure of 23 - 26 mm Hg were treated with Zioptan dosed once daily in the evening. Zioptan demonstrated reductions in intraocular pressure at 3 and 6 months of 6 to 8 mmHg and 5 to 8 mmHg, respectively.

Side Effects

Adverse events associated with the use of Zioptan may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• conjunctival hyperemia
• ocular stinging/irritation
• ocular pruritus including allergic conjunctivitis
• cataract
• dry eye
• ocular pain
• eyelash darkening
• growth of eyelashes
• vision blurred

Mechanism of Action

Zioptan (tafluprost ophthalmic solution) is a fluorinated analog of prostaglandin F2a. It is a selective FP prostanoid receptor agonist which is believed to reduce intraocular pressure by increasing uveoscleral outflow. The exact mechanism of action is unknown at this time.

Literature References

Chabi A, Varma R, Tsai JC, Lupinacci R, Pigeon J, Baranak C, Noble L, Lines C, Ho TW Randomized Clinical Trial of the Efficacy and Safety of Preservative-free Tafluprost and Timolol in Patients With Open-Angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension. American Journal of Ophthalmology 2012 Feb 4

Erb C, Lanzl I, Seidova SF, Kimmich F Preservative-free tafluprost 0.0015% in the treatment of patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Advances in Therapy 2011 Jul;28(7):575-85

Pozarowska D Safety and tolerability of tafluprost in treatment of elevated intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Clinical Ophthalmology 2010 Oct 21;4:1229-36

Additional Information

For additional information regarding Zioptan or elevated intraocular pressure, please visit the Zioptan web page.