Merck's Zioptan receives regulatory approval

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a Merck drug designed to reduce elevated intraocular pressure in patients with certain eye conditions, the company announced.

Zioptan (tafluprost ophthalmic solution), a preservative-free prostaglandin analog ophthalmic solution, is designed to reduce IOP in those with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, which respectively are the most common form of glaucoma and increases in pressure inside the eye.

“Prostaglandin analogs are often used as a first line of treatment to lower intraocular pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma. The approval of Zioptan will provide a new, effective option to lower IOP,” said George Spaeth of the Wills Eye Institute in Philadelphia, on behalf of Merck.

Zioptan will be available in the 0.0015% strength and is expected to hit the market in March.

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