Senju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Pharmaceuticals
June 16, 2020

Launch of a New Combination Ophthalmic Solution for the Treatment of Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension, AILAMIDE® Combination Ophthalmic Suspension

Senju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (head office: Osaka City, president: Shuhei Yoshida) and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (head office: Tokyo, president: Makoto Inoue) announce that a new combination ophthalmic solution for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension, AILAMIDE® Combination Ophthalmic Suspension (generic name: brimonidine tartrate/brinzolamide, hereinafter "this drug"), has been launched in Japan on June 16, 2020. Senju Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (marketing authorization holder) and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (collaborator) will conduct activities related to the provision of drug information for this drug.

The only evidence-based reliable treatment for glaucoma is the reduction of intraocular pressure. In principle, treatment begins with monotherapy and progresses to combination therapy if the effect is insufficient. In such cases, it is considered necessary to consider the patient's adherence by using combination ophthalmic solutions.

This product is the first combination ophthalmic solution in Japan for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension that does not contain β-blockers which have actions to lower blood pressure, heart rate, etc. It is expected to provide a new treatment option and contribute to the improvement of adherence of patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension who are often treated with multidrug therapy.

The product profile of AILAMIDE® Combination Ophthalmic Suspension is as follows.

Product name

AILAMIDE® Combination Ophthalmic Suspension

Generic name Brimonidine tartrate/brinzolamide
Dosage form/content Aqueous ophthalmic suspension containing brimonidine tartrate 1 mg and brinzolamide 10 mg in 1 mL
Indications

When the other glaucoma therapeutic agents are not effective enough in the following diseases: glaucoma, ocular hypertension

Dosage and administration

Instill one drop in each eye, twice daily

Date of approval March 25, 2020
Launch date June 16, 2020
NHI Price

492.20 yen for 1 mL

  • Note: The maximum quantity per prescription of a new drug is limited, in principle, to a 14-day supply during the first year from the first day of the month in which the NHI reimbursement price is listed. However, prescriptions of this drug have been exempted from this limit.

Reference

The name AILAMIDE® Combination Ophthalmic Suspension is derived from the combination of the letters AI in AIPHAGAN Ophthalmic Solution 0.1%, monotherapy of brimonidine tartrate, and the letters LAMIDE in brinzolamide.