Sandoz launches generic equivalent of AbbVie eyedrop Combigan in US
"Fixed combinations of medicines to treat ocular hypertension can offer patients enhanced convenience, improved adherence, reduced exposure to preservatives, and cost savings," said Keren Haruvi, President, Sandoz.
Basel: Sandoz has announced the US launch of its generic combination eyedrop brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ophthalmic solution 0.2%/0.5%, an AB-rated generic equivalent to AbbVie's COMBIGAN, to lower eye pressure in patients with ocular hypertension (high eye pressure). This prescription eyedrop is immediately available to patients via retail pharmacies.
Brimonidine tartrate and timolol maleate ophthalmic solution, 0.2%/0.5% is an alpha-adrenergic receptor agonist with a betaadrenergic receptor inhibitor indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with ocular hypertension who require adjunctive or replacement therapy due to inadequately controlled IOP; the IOP-lowering of brimonidine tartrate and timolol maleate ophthalmic solution, 0.2%/0.5% dosed twice a day was slightly less than that seen with the concomitant administration of timolol maleate ophthalmic solution, 0.5% dosed twice a day and brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution, 0.2% dosed three times per day.
Anyone can develop ocular hypertension, but certain groups are at higher risk, including but not limited to African Americans and Hispanics, people over age 40, people living with diabetes or high blood pressure, people who are very myopic (near-sighted) and people who take long-term steroid medicines. It is important to treat high eye pressure before it causes damage to the optic nerve and vision loss.
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"Fixed combinations of medicines to treat ocular hypertension can offer patients enhanced convenience, improved adherence, reduced exposure to preservatives, and cost savings," said Keren Haruvi, President, Sandoz Inc. "We developed this important generic eye treatment in-house to expand patient access to high-quality, more affordable eye care for millions of US patients."
The launch of generic brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate combination eyedrops in the US expands the Sandoz ophthalmology portfolio.
COMBIGAN and its design are registered trademarks of Allergan, Inc., an AbbVie company.
