Abstract
Tafluprost ophthalmic solution 0.0015 % preserved with benzalkonium chloride (BAK) 0.001 % is available in several Asian countries, including Japan. In pivotal trials, BAK-preserved tafluprost ophthalmic solution 0.0015 % lowered intraocular pressure (IOP) more effectively than placebo in Asian patients with normal-tension glaucoma and was at least as effective as latanoprost ophthalmic solution 0.005 % in Asian patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. In other prospective studies in Asian patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension, tafluprost ophthalmic solution 0.0015 % was at least as effective as latanoprost ophthalmic solution 0.005 % or travoprost ophthalmic solution 0.004 % in terms of IOP lowering, and was considered easier to use and/or store. The efficacy of tafluprost ophthalmic solution 0.0015 % was maintained in the longer term. Tafluprost ophthalmic solution 0.0015 % was generally well tolerated. In conclusion, BAK-preserved tafluprost ophthalmic solution 0.0015 % remains a useful option for the treatment of Asian patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
European Glaucoma Society. Terminology and guidelines for glaucoma. 2014. http://www.eugs.org. Accessed 3 Mar 2016.
Prum BE, Rosenberg LF, Gedde SJ, et al. Primary open-angle glaucoma: preferred practice pattern. Ophthalmology. 2016;123(1):P41–111.
Japan Glaucoma Society. Guidelines for glaucoma (2nd edition). 2006. http://www.ryokunaisho.jp/english/Guidelines_for_Glaucoma.pdf. Accessed 7 Mar 2016.
Song BJ, Caprioli J. New directions in the treatment of normal tension glaucoma. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2014;62(5):529–37.
Iwase A, Suzuki Y, Araie M, et al. The prevalence of primary open-angle glaucoma in Japanese: the Tajimi Study. Ophthalmology. 2004;111(9):1641–8.
Irkec M, Bozkurt B, Mocan MC. Are preservatives necessary to improve efficacy of some glaucoma drops? Br J Ophthalmol. 2013;97(12):1493–4.
Ayaki M, Iwasawa A, Niwano Y. Cell viability score as an integrated indicator for cytotoxicity of benzalkonium chloride-containing antiglaucoma eyedrops. Biocontrol Sci. 2012;17(3):121–8.
Hamacher T, Airaksinen J, Saarela V, et al. Efficacy and safety levels of preserved and preservative-free tafluprost are equivalent in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension: results from a pharmacodynamics analysis. Acta Ophthalmol (Copenh). 2008;86(Suppl 242):14–9.
Takagi Y, Nakajima T, Shimazaki A, et al. Pharmacological characteristics of AFP-168 (tafluprost), a new prostanoid FP receptor agonist, as an ocular hypotensive drug. Exp Eye Res. 2004;78(4):767–76.
Santen UK Ltd. Saflutan (tafluprost) 15 micrograms/ml eye drops, solution: UK summary of product characteristics. 2015. http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/. Accessed 4 Mar 2016.
Sutton A, Gouws P, Ropo A. Tafluprost, a new potent prostanoid receptor agonist: a dose-response study on pharmacodynamics and tolerability in healthy volunteers. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2008;46(8):400–6.
Mochizuki H, Itakura H, Yokoyama T, et al. Twenty-four-hour ocular hypotensive effects of 0.0015 % tafluprost and 0.005 % latanoprost in healthy subjects. Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2010;54(4):286–90.
Traverso CE, Ropo A, Papadia M, et al. A phase II study on the duration and stability of the intraocular pressure-lowering effect and tolerability of tafluprost compared with latanoprost. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2010;26(1):97–104.
Fukano Y, Odani-Kawabata N, Nakamura M, et al. Intraocular penetration and intraocular pressure-lowering effect of new formulation 0.0015 % tafluprost ophthalmic solution with reduced benzalkonium chloride [in Japanese]. Atarashii Ganka. 2010;27(5):691–4.
Ammar DA, Noecker RJ, Kahook MY. Effects of benzalkonium chloride-preserved, polyquad-preserved, and sofZia-preserved topical glaucoma medications on human ocular epithelial cells. Adv Ther. 2010;27(11):837–45.
Asada H, Takaoka-Shichijo Y, Nakamura M, et al. Optimization of benzalkonium chloride concentration in 0.0015 % tafluprost ophthalmic solution from the points of ocular surface safety and preservative efficacy [in Japanese]. Yakugaku Zasshi. 2010;130(6):867–71.
Nakagawa S, Usui T, Yokoo S, et al. Toxicity evaluation of antiglaucoma drugs using stratified human cultivated corneal epithelial sheets. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012;53(9):5154–60.
Kim EJ, Kim Y-H, Kang SH, et al. In vitro effects of preservative-free and preserved prostaglandin analogs on primary cultured human conjunctival fibroblast cells. Korean J Ophthalmol. 2013;27(6):446–53.
Chang C, Zhang AQ, Kagan DB, et al. Mechanisms of benzalkonium chloride toxicity in a human trabecular meshwork cell line and the protective role of preservative-free tafluprost. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2015;43(2):164–72.
Akaishi T, Kurashima H, Odani-Kawabata N, et al. Effects of repeated administrations of tafluprost, latanoprost, and travoprost on optic nerve head blood flow in conscious normal rabbits. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2010;26(2):181–6.
Kurashima H, Watabe H, Sato N, et al. Effects of prostaglandin F2α analogues on endothelin-1-induced impairment of rabbit ocular blood flow: comparison among tafluprost, travoprost, and latanoprost. Exp Eye Res. 2010;91(6):853–9.
Giannico AT, Lima L, Shaw GC, et al. Effects of prostaglandin analogs on blood flow velocity and resistance in the ophthalmic artery of rabbits. Arq Bras Oftalmol. 2016;79(1):33–6.
Ishigaki J, Miyake S, Harino S, et al. Effect of tafluprost on choroidal blood flow in glaucoma [in Japanese]. Atarashii Ganka. 2010;27(8):1115–8.
Sugiyama T, Shibata M, Kojima S, et al. Changes in microcirculation in the optic nerve head following topical tafluprost treatment in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma [in Japanese]. Rinsho Ganka. 2011;65(4):475–9.
Shibata M, Sugiyama T, Kojima S, et al. Effects on visual field, morphology and microcirculation of optic nerve head following tafluprost treatment for 3 years in patients with glaucoma [in Japanese]. Rinsho Ganka. 2015;69(5):741–7.
Santen Pharmaceutical Co Ltd. Tapros® (tafluprost) ophthalmic solution 0.0015 %: Japanese prescribing information. 2015.
Kuwayama Y, Komemushi S. Intraocular pressure lowering effect of 0.0015% tafluprost as compared to placebo in patients with normal tension glaucoma: randomized, double-blind, multicenter, phase III study [in Japanese]. Nip GG Zass. 2010;114(5):436–43.
Kuwayama Y, Komemushi S. Phase III confirmatory study of 0.0015 % DE-085 (tafluprost) ophthalmic solution as compared to 0.005 % latanoprost ophthalmic solution in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension [in Japanese]. Atarashii Ganka. 2008;25(11):1595–602.
Eguro T, Shoji N, Kasahara M, et al. A parallel-group comparison of hypotensive effect of latanoprost and tafluprost [in Japanese]. Rinsho Ganka. 2012;66(6):913–6.
Adachi M. Ocular hypotensive effect after switching from topical latanoprost to tafluprost [in Japanese]. Rinsho Ganka. 2011;65(1):85–9.
Kozaki J, Unoki K, Adachi M, et al. Efficacy of switching from latanoprost to tafluprost in patients with normal-tension glaucoma [in Japanese]. Atarashii Ganka. 2010;27(6):827–30.
Nakamuro T, Nakano S, Kiyosaki K, et al. Comparison of efficacy and safety of tafluprost and latanoprost in patients with normal tension glaucoma [in Japanese]. Atarashii Ganka. 2013;30(1):113–6.
Takeda S, Koyama H, Matsubara M. Efficacy of switching from latanoprost to tafluprost for glaucoma [in Japanese]. Rinsho Ganka. 2010;64(10):1685–9.
Mizoguchi T, Ozaki M, Unoki K, et al. A randomized crossover study comparing tafluprost 0.0015 % with travoprost 0.004 % in patients with normal-tension glaucoma. Clin Ophthalmol. 2012;6:1579–84.
Nakano S, Kubota T. Long-term efficacy of tafluprost after switching from latanoprost [in Japanese]. Atarashii Ganka. 2010;27(12):1727–30.
Sone A, Katsushima H, Funahashi K, et al. Efficacy and safety of 0.0015 % tafluprost ophthalmic solution in normal-tension glaucoma [in Japanese]. Atarashii Ganka. 2011;28(4):568–70.
Nakano T, Yoshikawa K, Kimura T, et al. Efficacy and safety of tafluprost in normal-tension glaucoma with intraocular pressure of 16 mmHg or less. Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2011;55(6):605–13.
Miyagawa Y, Yamazaki H, Nakazawa M. Short-term efficacy of tafluprost monotherapy for untreated glaucoma [in Japanese]. Atarashii Ganka. 2010;27(7):967–9.
Kuwayama Y, Nomura A. Prospective observational post-marketing study of tafluprost for glaucoma and ocular hypertension: short-term efficacy and safety. Adv Ther. 2014;31(4):461–71.
Okada F, Inoue K, Wakakura M, et al. Ocular hypotensive effects and safety of tafluprost in normal-tension glaucoma [in Japanese]. Atarashii Ganka. 2011;28(7):1043–6.
Watanabe S, Kimura I, Nakazawa Y, et al. The investigation of the clinical results of tafluprost in normal-tension glaucoma [in Japanese]. Folia Japonica de Ophthalmologica Clinica. 2014;7(8):597–602.
Nakauchi T, Okami T, Yamagishi K. Long-term intraocular pressure-lowering effect of tafluprost in patients with normal-tension glaucoma [in Japanese]. Atarashii Ganka. 2011;28(8):1161–5.
Inoue K, Tanaka A, Tomita G. Effects of tafluprost treatment for 3 years in patients with normal-tension glaucoma. Clin Ophthalmol. 2013;7:1411–6.
Ge J, Li X, Sun X. Randomized parallel group study of 0.0015 % tafluprost ophthalmic solution in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension (comparison with 0.005 % latanoprost ophthalmic solution) [in Chinese]. Zhonghua Yan Ke Za Zhi. 2015;51(2):95–102.
Tanabe Y, Kanno M, Yamashita H. Intraocular pressure-lowering effect of travoprost, tafluprost and bimatoprost in normal tension glaucoma [in Japanese]. Atarashii Ganka. 2012;29(8):1131–5.
Inoue K, Masumoto M, Wakakura M, et al. Ocular hypotensive effects of latanoprost, travoprost and tafluprost [in Japanese]. Atarashii Ganka. 2010;27(3):383–6.
Inoue K, Setogawa A, Tomita G. Nonresponders to prostaglandin analogs among normal-tension glaucoma patients. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2016;32(2):90–6.
Yoshida S. Adherence to topical tafluprost treatment for one year in glaucoma patients [in Japanese]. Rinsho Ganka. 2012;66(3):287–9.
Uusitalo H, Pillunat LE, Ropo A. Efficacy and safety of tafluprost 0.0015 % versus latanoprost 0.005 % eye drops in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension: 24-month results of a randomized, double-masked phase III study. Acta Ophthalmol. 2010;88(1):12–9.
Yoshino T, Fukuchi T, Togano T, et al. Eyelid and eyelash changes due to prostaglandin analog therapy in unilateral treatment cases. Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2013;57(2):172–8.
Inoue K, Shiokawa M, Higa R, et al. Adverse periocular reactions to five types of prostaglandin analogs. Eye (London, England). 2012;26(11):1465–72.
Inoue K, Shiokawa M, Wakakura M, et al. Deepening of the upper eyelid sulcus caused by 5 types of prostaglandin analogs. J Glaucoma. 2013;22(8):626–31.
Sakata R, Shirato S, Miyata K, et al. Incidence of deepening of the upper eyelid sulcus on treatment with a tafluprost ophthalmic solution. Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2014;58(2):212–7.
Kumagami T, Wakiyama H, Kusano M, et al. Comparison of corneal safety and intraocular pressure-lowering effect of tafluprost ophthalmic solution with other prostaglandin ophthalmic solutions. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2014;30(4):340–5.
Suzuki K, Teranishi S, Sagara T, et al. Safety and efficacy of benzalkonium chloride-optimized tafluprost in Japanese glaucoma patients with existing superficial punctate keratitis. J Glaucoma. 2015;24(6):e145–50.
Kanamoto T, Kiuchi Y, Tanito M, et al. Comparison of the toxicity profile of benzalkonium chloride-preserved tafluprost and sofZia-preserved travoprost applied to the ocular surface. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2015;31(3):156–64.
Nakamura T, Kanamoto T, Komatsu N, et al. Satisfaction and subjective symptoms after instillation of tafluprost or travoprost for twelve weeks each [in Japanese]. Rinsho Ganka. 2014;68(7):959–66.
Ermiş SS. Differential pharmacology and clinical utility of preservative-free tafluprost in the treatment of ocular hypertension and glaucoma. Clin Ophthalmol. 2012;6:673–8.
Acknowledgments
During the peer review process, the manufacturer of tafluprost ophthalmic solution 0.0015 % was also offered an opportunity to review this article. Changes resulting from comments received were made on the basis of scientific and editorial merit.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Funding
The preparation of this review was not supported by any external funding.
Conflict of interest
Gillian Keating is a salaried employee of Adis/Springer, is responsible for the article content and declares no relevant conflicts of interest.
Additional information
The manuscript was reviewed by: Y. Kuwayama, Fukushima Eye Clinic, Osaka, Japan; M. Ozaki, Ozaki Eye Hospital and Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Keating, G.M. Tafluprost Ophthalmic Solution 0.0015 %: A Review in Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension. Clin Drug Investig 36, 499–508 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40261-016-0413-z
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40261-016-0413-z