Prolonged central nervous system and respiratory depression in preterm neonates after exposure to brimonidine tartrate and timolol maleate ophthalmic drops

• Main Authors: Azarcon, Corrina P., Santiago, Darby E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House 2020-05-01
• Series: GMS Ophthalmology Cases
• Subjects: brimonidine tartrate; timolol maleate; central nervous system depression; apnea; preterm neonates
• Online Access: http://www.egms.de/static/en/journals/oc/2020-10/oc000152.shtml

Objective: We report three cases of preterm neonates who presented with central nervous system (CNS) and respiratory depression after inadvertent exposure to brimonidine tartrate 0.2% and timolol maleate 0.5% fixed-combination ophthalmic drops.Case descriptions: CNS and respiratory depression were observed in the three neonates within two hours of administration of brimonidine tartrate 0.2% and timolol maleate 0.5% eye drops. Respiratory support was initiated upon admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The effects of the drug combination lasted for 24 to 48 hours.Conclusion: This case series suggests that the drug combination of brimonidine tartrate and timolol maleate causes a prolonged depression of the central nervous and respiratory systems in preterm neonates.