Item |
Information |
Drug Groups
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approved |
Description
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A nonselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist used in the treatment of glaucoma. [PubChem] |
Indication |
For lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) and may be used in patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. |
Pharmacology |
Levobunolol is an ophthalmic beta-blocker, equally effective at β(1)- and β(2)-receptor sites. Levobunolol reduces both elevated and normal IOP in patients with or without glaucoma. In patients with elevated IOP, levobunolol reduces mean IOP by approximately 25-40% from baseline. As the drug is a nonselective &beta-adrenergic blocking agent, it can produce both systemic pulmonary and cardiovascular effects following topical application to the eye. These effects include adverse pulmonary effects (eg. bronchoconstriction, increased airway resistance), and a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate. |
Toxicity |
Bradycardia, hypotension, bronchospasm, and acute cardiac failure, LD50=700 mg/kg (orally in rat). |
Affected Organisms |
• |
Humans and other mammals |
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Biotransformation |
Hepatic |
Absorption |
80% |
Half Life |
20 hours |
References |
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Ishibashi T, Yokoi N, Kinoshita S: Comparison of the effects of topical levobunolol and timolol solution on the human ocular surface. Cornea. 2003 Nov;22(8):709-15.
[Pubmed]
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Ogasawara H, Yoshida A, Fujio N, Konno S, Ishiko S: [Effect of topical levobunolol on retinal, optic nerve head, and choroidal circulation in normal volunteers] Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi. 1999 Jul;103(7):544-50.
[Pubmed]
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Leung M, Grunwald JE: Short-term effects of topical levobunolol on the human retinal circulation. Eye. 1997;11 ( Pt 3):371-6.
[Pubmed]
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Dong Y, Ishikawa H, Wu Y, Yoshitomi T: Vasodilatory mechanism of levobunolol on vascular smooth muscle cells. Exp Eye Res. 2007 Jun;84(6):1039-46. Epub 2007 Jan 27.
[Pubmed]
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Gonzalez JP, Clissold SP: Ocular levobunolol. A review of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, and therapeutic efficacy. Drugs. 1987 Dec;34(6):648-61.
[Pubmed]
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Lesar TS: Comparison of ophthalmic beta-blocking agents. Clin Pharm. 1987 Jun;6(6):451-63.
[Pubmed]
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Novack GD: Levobunolol for the long-term treatment of glaucoma. Gen Pharmacol. 1986;17(4):373-7.
[Pubmed]
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External Links |
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