I. Miotics
A) Action: increase drainage out of the eye, through the trabecular meshwork, to lower pressure in the eye.
| B) Types | Dosage per Day |
| – Pilocarpine | (4) |
| – Carbachol | (3) |
| – Phospholine Iodide-rarely available | (2) |
Side Effects: Dim vision, Blurry Vision, Brow Aches
II. Beta Blockers
A) Action: Decrease the formation of aqueous humor to lower eye pressure.
| B) Types | Dosage per Day |
| – Timolol (Timoptic) (also available in preservative free) | (4) |
| – Timolol GFS (Timoptic XE) | (1) |
| – Timolol (Betimol) | (1) |
| – Levobunolol (Betagan) | (1) |
| – Betaxalol (Betoptic-S) | (1) |
| – Carteolol (Ocupress) | (1) |
| – Metipranolol (Optipranolol) | (1) |
Side Effects: Breathing difficulties, Irregular heartbeat, Depression, Dizziness, Loss of libido, Loss of hair (rare)
III. Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
A) Action: Decrease the formation of aqueous humor to lower eye pressure.
| B) Types | Dosage per Day |
| Pills | |
| – Diamox | (3-4) |
| – Neptazane | (3-4) |
| Eyedrop Types | |
| – Dorzolamide (Trusopt) | (2-3) |
| – Brinzolamide (Azopt) | (2-3) |
Side Effects: Nausea, Diarrhea, Rash, Decreased appetite, Lethargy, Depression, Rare bone marrow depression, Bad taste in mouth
IV. Alpha 2 Agonists
A) Action: Decrease the formation of aqueous humor and decrease in venous pressure in blood vessels on the eye.
| B) Types | Dosage per Day |
| – Apraclonidine (Iopidine) | (2-3) |
| – Brimonidine (Alphagan) | (2-3) |
| – Brimonidine (Alphagan-P) | (2-3) |
Side Effects: Nausea, Diarrhea, Rash, Decreased appetite, Lethargy, Depression, Rare bone marrow depression, Bad taste in mouth
V. Prostoglandin Analogs
A) Action: Increase uveoscleral outflow
| B) Types | Dosage per Day |
| – Latanoprost (Xalatan) | (1) |
| – Travaprost (Travatan) | (1) |
| – Bimatoprost (Lumigan) | (1) |
| – Zioptan (preservative free) | (1) |
| – Unoprostone (Rescula) | (2) |
Side Effects: Blurred vision, Redness, Burning, Stinging, Darker, longer eye lashes,Respiratory tract infection/cold, Eye turns darker color, Atrophy of fat tissues around eye
Combination Drugs
A) Action: See each drug (above) for their combined actions and side effects.
| B) Types | Dosage per Day |
| Timolol and Dorzolamide (Cosopt) (also available in preservative free) | (2) |
| Timolol and Brimonidine (Combigan) | (2) |
| Brinzolamide and Brimonidine (Simbrinza) | (2) |