IE49143B1 - Ophthalmic inserts for lowering intraocular pressure comprising carbonic anhydrase inhibitors - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to ^phthalmic inserts for lowering intraocular pressure comprising carbonic anhydrase inhibitors that are topically effective in the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure. More particularly, it relates to inserts comprising the alkali metal salts of saltforming carbonic anhydrase inhibitors that, when applied topically to the eye, are transported to the cilary process. In particular, this invention relates to inserts comprising the sodium and potassium salts of salt-forming carboxy anhydrase inhibitors.

Glaucoma is a degenerative disease of the eye wherein the pressure in the eye (i.e., intraocular pressure) is too high for the normal function of the eye.and, as a result, damage occurs to the optic nerve head and results in irreversible loss of visual function. If untreated, glaucoma will eventually lead to blindness. Ocular hypertension, i.e., the condition of elevated intraocular pressure without optic, nerve head damage or characteristic glaucomatous visual field loss, is now believed by the majority of ophthalmologists to merely represent the earliest phase in the onset of a glaucoma.

A number of the drugs presently employed to treat glaucoma are not entirely satisfactory, particularly in the earliest course of the disease when the side effects they produce are often worse than the symptoms of the disease.

Pilocarpine, for example, although systemically harmless and quite effective, causes considerable local difficulties. The pupil constricts so that little light becomes available to the eye and the eye loses its ability to adapt from light to dark. Accommodation is stimulated so that the patient's refraction is sometimes incorrect and vision is blurred. The drug itself causes a local vasodilatation and red eyes and irritation are common.

In short, although valuable, it really is unsatisfactory as a first line drug.

When carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are used systemically they have a number of disadvantages.

While extremely effective in lowering intraocular pressure, they often cause a numbness and tingling, gastrointestinal upsets and, frequently, depression, lethargy, and a loss of appetite, and general malaise. These, in addition to the occasional more severe systemic complications such as aplastic anemia, are so common that many physicians are reluctant to routinely prescribe carboxy anhydrase inhibitors.

As a consequence, only highly motivated patients who understand the seriousness of their condition will faithfully continue medication.

While investigators have long realized the benefits that would accompany topical administration, the selection of the proper entity has long eluded them. Reports in the literature indicate that carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are inactive topically. Even the extreme measure of direct injection into the anterior chamber is reported to have no pressure lowering effect; see for example; W. M. Grant and R. R. Trotter, Arch, Ophthalmol., 51, 735 (1954).

R. H. Foss, Am. J. Ophthalmol., 39, 336 (1955), B. Becker, Am. J, Ophthalmol., 47 342 (1959), H. Davson, The Eye, Vol. 1, Academic Press, N.Y., 1962, p. 133.

R. P. Thomas and M. W. Riley, Am. J. Ophthalmol., 60, 241 (1965).

W. H. Havener, Ocular Pharmacology, C. V. Mosby Co. 10 St. Louis, 1966, pp, 395—419.

S. M. Drance, Chapter 13 in Symposium on Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, C. V. Mosby Co., St. Louis, 1970, pp. 132—142. Τ. H. Maren, Invest, Ophthalmol., 13, 479 (1974).

In the face of this collection of negative findings, it is now discovered that if an alkali metal salt, most preferably the sodium or potassium salt, of a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor is employed as a topical agent, the pressure lowering effects are substantially equivalent to systemic administration of the parent drug.

Because carbonic anhydrase inhibitors have a profound effect in altering basic metabolism, the avoidance of a systemic route serves to diminish, if not entirely eliminate, those side effects caused by metabolic acidosis such as vomiting, numbness, tingling, and general malaise.

The invention provides an ophthalmic insert for lowering intraocular pressure comprising a mixture of at least: — a pressure reducing amount of an alkali metal salt 30 of a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor selected from 4,5 dichloro - jn. - benzene - disulfonamide; N - /5 - (aminosulfonyl) - 3 - methyl - 1,3,4 - thiadiazol - 2(3H) ylidene7 - acetamide; N - /5 - (aminosulfonyl) - 3 - methyl 1,3,4 - thiadiazol - 2(3H) - ylidene7 - acetamide; p sulfamoylbenzoic acid; N - /5 - (aminosulfonyl) - 1,3,4 thiadiazol - 2 - yl/propanamide; N - /5 - (aminosulfonyl) - 1,3,4 - thiadiazol - 2 - yl/butanamide; and 5 - benzene5 sulfonamido - 1,3,4 - thiadiazol - 2 - sulfonamide; and — an ophthalmologically acceptable water soluble polymer; the polymer being shaped in the form cf a solid insert suitable to be put in the eye.

In the practice of this invention, the alkali metal 10 salts of carbonic anhydrase inhibitor are prepared from the known, salt-forming carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, the following of which are preferred: 143 where S is an alkali metal cation As used herein, the term alkali metal includes lithium, sodium, potassium, cesium and rubidium.

These salts may be hygroscopic and, as a consequence, may occur as hydrated species.

When formulating into the inserts, the material should be kept as dry as possible during manufacture and protected from excessive moisture during storage and before use. The preferred alkali metal salts include as cations, potassium, sodium, and rubidium, with the most preferred being potassium and sodium.

In inserts, the potassium and sodium forms are both preferred cations.

Other carbonic anhydrase inhibitors' can be used if they are capable of forming an alkali metal salt. Especially useful are those carbonic anhydrase inhibitors which have the sulfamoyl moiety (i.e., -SO-NH,) as a substituent. This can » + J· form the salt, -SOjNHM, where M is defined as above. Thus, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors such as j>-sulfamoylbenzoic acid; N-[5-(arainosulfonyl)1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]propanamide; N-[5-(aminosulfonyl) -1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]butanamide; and 5-benzenesulfonamido-l,3,4-thiadiazol-2-sulfonamide can also be used when formulating the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor alkali metal salts into an ophthalmic preparation, e.g., from 0.1% to 5% by weight can be employed. The objective is to administer a dose of from 0.1 to 10 mg. per eye to the patient.

The compounds comprising the active ingredient of the inserts of this invention are administered in the form of solid inserts. Formulations of these compounds may contain from 0.01 to 5% and especially 0.5 to 2% of medicament. Higher dosages as, for example, about 10%, or lower dosages can be employed provided the dose is effective in lowering intraocular pressure. As a unit dosage from between 0.001 to 10.0 mg., preferably .005 to 2.0 mg., and especially O.l to 1.0 mg. of the compound is generally applied to the human eye, generally on a daily basis.

The pharmaceutical preparation according to the invention is in the form of a solid insert. For example, one may use a solid water soluble polymer as the carrier for the medicament. Inserts that are known in the art that are suitable for use with this include those set forth and described in O.S.P. 3,993,071; U.S.P. 3,986,510; U.S.P. 3,868,445; and U.S.P. 3,867,510 employing the formulation and fabrication techniques described therein. The polymer used to form'the insert may be any water soluble non-toxic polymer, for example, cellulose derivatives such as methyl cellulose, alkali metal carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose; acrylates such as polyacrylic acid salts, ethylacrylates; polyacrylamides; natural products such as gelatin, alginates, pectins, tragacanth, karaya, chondrus, agar, acacia; the starch derivatives such as starch acetate, hydroxyethyl starch ethers, hydroxypropyl starch, as well as other synthetic derivatives such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl methyl ether, polyethylene oxide, neutralized carbopol and xanthan gum and mixtures of said polymer.

The solid insert according to the invention is preferably prepared from cellulose derivatives such as methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose or hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose or from other synthetic materials such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyethylene oxide or polyvinyl methylether.

Hydroxypropyl cellulose, one of the preferred polymers for the preparation of the insert is available in several polymeric forms, all of which are suitable in the preparation of these inserts. Thus, the product sold by Hercules, Inc. of Wilmington, Delaware, under the name KLUCEL (KLUCEL is a Trade Mark) such as KLUCEL HF, HWF, MF, GF, JF, LF and EF, which are intended for food or pharmaceutical use, are particularly useful. The molecular weight of these polymers useful for the purposes described herein may be at least 30,000 to about 1,000,000 or more.

Similarly, an ethylene oxide polymer having a molecular weight of up to 5,000,000 or greater, and preferably 100,000 to 5,000,000 can be employed.

Further, for exanple, POEYOX (Polyox is a Trade Mark), a polymer supplied by Union Carbide Co., may be used having a molecular weight of about 50,000 to 5,000,000 or more and preferably 3,000,000 to 4,000,000. Other specific polymers which are useful are polyvinyl pyrrolidine having a molecular weight of from about 10,000 to about 1,000,000 or more, preferably up to about 350,000 and especially about 20,000 to 60,000; polyvinyl alcohol having a molecular weight of from about 30,000 to 1,000,000 or more, particularly about 400,000 and especially from about 100,000 to about 200,000; hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose having a molecular weight of from about 10,000 to 1,000,000 or more, particularly up to about 200,000 and especially about 80,000 to about 125,000; methyl cellulose having a molecular weight of from about 10,000 to about 1,000,000 or more, preferably up to about 200,000 and especially about 50 to 100,000; and CARBOPOL (CARBOPOL is a Trade Mark) (carboxyvinyl polymer) of B.F. Goodrich and Co. designated as grades 934, 940 and 941.

For the purpose of this invention the type and molecular weight of the polymer is not critical.

Any water soluble polymers can be used which have an average molecular weight which will afford dissolution of the polymer and, accordingly, the medicament in any desired length of time. The inserts, therefore, can be prepared to allow for retention and, accordingly, effectiveness in the eye for any desired period.

Ihe insert can be in the fomi of, for example, a square, rectangle, oval, circle, doughnut, semi-circle or 1/4 moon shape.

Preferably, the insert is in the form of a rod, doughnut, oval or 1/4 moon. The insert can be readily prepared, for example, by dissolving the medicament and the polymer in a suitable solvent and evaporating the resulting solution to afford a thin film of the polymer which can then be subdivided to prepare inserts of appropriate size. Alternatively, the insert can be prepared by intimately admixing polymer and the medicament and thereafter molding the resulting mixture under the influence of heat and pressure to form a thin film. Preferably, the inserts are prepared by molding or extrusion procedures well known in the art. The molded or extruded product can then be subdivided to afford inserts of suitable size for administration in the eye.

The insert can be of any suitable size which readily fits into the eye. For example, castings or compression molded films having a thickness of about 0.25 mm. to 1.50 mm. can be subdivided to obtain suitable inserts. Rectangular segments of the cast or compressed film having a thickness between about 0.5 and 1.5 mm. can be cut to afford shapes such as rectangular plates of 4 x 5-20 mm. or ovals of comparable size. Similarly, extruded rods having a diameter between about 0.5 and 1.5 mm. can be cut into suitable sections to provide the desired amount of polymer. For example, rods of 1.0 to 1.5 mm. in diameter and about 2-20 mm. long are found to be satisfactory. The inserts may also be directly formed by injection molding. It is preferred that the ophthalmic inserts containing the medicament of the present invention be formed so that they are smooth and do not have any sharp edges or corners which could cause damage to the eye. Since the term smooth and sharp edges or corners are subjective terms, in this application these terms are used to indicate that excessive irritation of the eye will not result from the use of the insert.

The medicated ocular inserts can also contain plasticizers, buffering agents, appropriate inert fillers, and preservatives. Plasticizers suitable for this purpose must, of course, also be completely soluble in the lacrimal fluids of the eye. Examples of suitable plasticizers that might be mentioned are water, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerine, trimethylol propane, di- and tripropylene glycol and hydroxypropyl sucrose. Typically, such plasticizers can be present in the medicated ophthalmic insert in an amount ranging from up to 1 to about 30% by weight. A particularly preferred plasticizer is water which is present in amounts of at least about 5% up to about 40%, In actual practice, a water content of from about 10% to 20% is preferred since it may be easily accomplished and adds the desired softness and pliability to the insert.

When plasticizing the solid medicinal product with water, the product is contacted with air having a relative humidity of at least 40% until said product picks up at least about 5% water and becomes softer and more pliable. In a preferred embodiment, the relative humidity of the air is from about 60% to 99% and the contact is continued until the water is present in the product in amounts of from about 10% to 20% Suitable water soluble preservatives which may be employed in the insert are alkali bisulfate, alkali thiosulfate, ascorbate, benzalkonium chloride, chlorobutanol, thimerosal, phenylmercurie acetate, phenylmercuric borate, parabens, benzyl alcohol and phenyl ethanol. These agents may be present in amounts of from 0.001 to 5% by weight of solid insert, and preferably 0.1 to 2%. 9 143 Suitable water soluble buffering agents are, for example, alkali metal and alkaline earth metal carbonates, phosphates, bicarbonates, citrates and borates, such as sodium or potassium phosphate, citrate, borate, acetate, bicarbonate and carbonate. These agents may be present in amounts sufficient to obtain a pH of the system of between 5.5 to 8.1 and especially 7-8; usually up to about 2% by weight of polymer. The insert may contain from about 1 mg. to 100 mg. of water soluble polymer, more particularly from 5 to 50 mg. and especially from 5 to 20 mg. The medicament is present from about 0.1 to 25% by weight of insert.

The following Examples serve to more fully illustrate this invention.

Ophthalmic inserts are manufactured from a solvent cast film prepared by making a viscous solution of the powder blend using a methanol/water solvent system (10 ml. methanol is added to 2.5 g. of powder blend, to which 11 ml. of water (in three divided portions) is added). The solution is placed on a Teflon (Teflon is a Trade Mark) polytetrafluoroethylene plate and allowed to dry at ambient conditions. After drying, the film is placed in an 88% relative humidity cabinet until it is pliable. Appropriately sized inserts are then cut from the film.

EXAMPLE 1 Na+ salt of methazolamide 1 mg.

Hydroxypropyl cellulose q.s. a.d. 12 mg.

Ophthalmic inserts are manufactured from compression molded films which are prepared on a Carver Press by subjecting the powder mixture of the above ingredients to a compressional force of 82.8 Mpa (12,000 psi) (gauge) at 177°C for one minute. The film is cooled under pressure by having cold water circulate in the platen. Ophthalmic inserts are then individually cut from the film with a punch. Each insert is placed into a vial, which is then placed in a humidity cabinet (88% relative humidity at 30eC) for two to four days. After removal from the humidity cabinet, the vials are stoppered and then capped.

The vials containing the hydrated insert are then sterilized by means known in the art such as irradiation with high energy electron beams, gamma radiation with a suitable radiation source such as 0ο®θ.

Illustrative effects obtained by the use of the alkali metal salts of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors appear in the following tables. 9 14 3 EFFECTS OF ACETAZOLAMIDE DIPOTASSIUM SALT, DICHLORPHENAMIDE DIPOTASSIUM SALT AND METHAZOLAMIDE SODIUM SALT TOPICALLY ADMINISTERED ON NORMAL INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE IN UNANESTHETIZED RABBITS 9,9, CM M3 cn -)( CM ·=Τ CM S'±‘ OO kD CM CM 9,9, 9,9, 9,9, r| +1 kO kD M3 04 fl CM si c. C 0 Q W P nJ + |rd rd Φ -id Ρ P 9,9, 9,9, cn σι in on in CM CM P P CM Φ P P Md nJ nJ ti υ * o c nJ ·Η ρ g p *c Η Φ g C -H fl H QJ 9,9, m cn IT) LD 04 04 cn cn rd r-1 9,9, 9,9, cn co in 04 ί'δ1 kD T 9,9, m3 cn kD m CM CM O ko cn cn 9,9, ?l 9,9, 9,9, 9,9, cn cn kD o m ko CM CM O- Οι—I r-d Ο σ-> co in in kD CM CM 9,9, kD kD kD kD TJ CO Φ 0 Φ P rd g fl ti •id ϋ rd P •id rd TJ Φ O' C 0 fi •id rd ♦rl >1 TJ Φ XI fi xi p Q Ρ Φ a >1 CO Md X φ 0 0 P P P rd Ό 0 d. υ ο Λ tn P dP a χί tn P · a •id O ti & 0 Md P TJ 0 O' φ rd rd rd rd ti. 0 •rl O P p in P co fi fi TJ 0 •rl φ 0 > φ ‘r| Φ Ρ Φ xi φ υ P 5 φ P g a 0 • ti a P P 0 ti P co P 0 Φ O' P in P O' o TJ • H Φ rd o P 0 co fl P a - Φ P P P fi QJ CQ rd rd rd a) u rd Χί •P Φ >t p TJ >, Xj P fi P 0 ci qj ι υ WOO» P ti ti Φ φ+j mx Md CO TJ Ed Md •H O' Φ TJ C Χί · •rl P fi >t CO 0 rd fi Md ·Η P OP >lO ® fi CO fl QJ -rl fl rd CO Id P O fl φ Ρ Χί Φ P •H > C -Ρ Λ rd Md Ρ Φ Φ 0 g fl •η φ ο x 3 m c p x: fi fi O' fi P 0 fi rfi •rl-id 0 0-H II 0 W CQ S fl 4* w co Φ >lg ο τι CO fl QJ Ud O CM EFFECTS OF METHAZOLAMIDE SODIUM SALT IN 0.5% HYDROXYETHYL CELLULOSE in CO oo σ o co co r-1 ro m co CN in CO co xp in χί* σι CN co σ tn ι—1 o :2, CL OL CL CL CN ro XP q co CN CN xp CO 00 co ko CO CO in xp co ro in in σ xp σ co in σ o XT CN CN co co CN CN XT CN O Γ- 00 ro σ q ro in XP ΓΟ xp XP CN XP in z—» Z—·. z—» Z—·. z—» z—. σ © co kp xp CN e 6* co co CN CO ro CN ro xp CN 00 o σ in CO KO ro KO CO co xp XP CN xp in z—«. z—» z—» »—» z—» z*— z—* σ co h- XT H in CN xp CN CN ro CN ro xP —z —z >_z ·—·’ ·*—· i—l KO O CN R +i +1 +1 o CN CO ro · -^χτ in 0Ί · f-. +1+1 nis n · tp in 65 °O +l+‘ xp J? CN O -H tn + ICN xp[-~ T? * σ» θ d r- O σι · . H ?l+l in • KO ro xp ro · — xp ro in SflSpfnnfiS A,+l CO CO CO KO lA KO ΙΛ s KO CO CO S σ\ •y* CN CN > CN xp m ro · ^•xp ”8 ID · L? V KO xp inO L-? * CN Ό OO KO O i+l i—I Γ• KO in · L? Γ— Z-n. I cn o oo ' η M ID o“1, fi ® ίί P 2,., $, m cm ro Mi 5 TI 3 *-* -- — , ,, κο r- co co · CN o «μ +j fi cu o T3 4J Φ E Ό Φ M •H fi Oj ZN zN 4· V >1 A tn o CN ΚΟ Γ- xp to ΙΠ CN xr in in in co xp P KO Xp CN CO sr Γ- r-l Γ- +1 ΐ'ο • CN cn » ro m d. © 1 '-'C j +1 ? fi H V, m ’ Ή to CU ·♦ > fi Φ Φ to M E Ό Ll 0 3 Φ M-I i—l Ί3 > 0 fi +> > fi CU fi 4J to o fi □ Ό Φ Ot IW •H r4 + 1 0 M-t »—1 •H •H fi C fi fi •P fi fi fi tn to Φ Φ Φ •H fi E E E to ♦rl + + * * + + + M O m O Η ι—I CN 143 8| 'fl ?! Tl rtf cn · KD ?| +|cn EFFECTS OF ACETAZOLAMIDE DIPOTASSIUM SALT, DICHLORPHENAMIDE DIPOTASSIUM SALT AND METHAZOLAMIDE SODIUM SALT TOPICALLY ADMINISTERED ON INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE in in +i +I v. ? +l-=f n . 0? °. Γ- rH +1 +1 σ\ cm Φ W Ε ω Φ *[* Ό d Π3 ft * •rl g c g •H o ω E P Φ 3 g H Ό (0 •rl £ Ή d --· C rH IQ ft IQ rH 0 01 P 0) 0 CT N d o d ν ε 44 d -P H +> d d rH •P 0 42 0 42 -H d Φ Λ 0 ft +J Ό CT 0 •rl •r| ·Η Φ 0 Φ Q Q Q S W ft r-i Φ □ rH >1 4J Φ >1 X μ 'd >1 £ o CM * * The alkali metal salts of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors can be used in combination with each other or with other ophthalmic agents including, for example, miotics, epinephrine, timolol, atenolol and propanolol. They are especially useful when combined with these agents since such agents are effective by means of mechanisms other than carbonic anhydrase inhibition. Therefore, the pressure reducing effects are cumulative.

EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of N-[5-(aminosulfonyl)-3-methyl-l,3,4thiadiazol-2(3H)-ylidene]acetamide Potassium Salt To a solution of 0.1N potassium hydroxide in methanol (1.19 1., 0.119 mole) is added distilled water (300 ml.) and N-[5-(aminosulfonyl)-3-methyl1,3,4-thiadiazol-2(3H)-ylidene]acetamide (28.12 g., 0.119 mole) at room temperature. The resulting mixture is swirled until complete dissolution of the suspended solid occurs, whereupon, the clear solution is evaporated in vacuo at 40°C leaving a colorless residual solid. The solid is dissolved in distilled water (300 ml.) providing a clear solution which is evaporated in vacuo at 40°C. The residual solid is collected and dried over phosphorous pentoxide at 100°C in vacuo for 16 hours to afford analytically pure N-[5-(aminosulfonyl)-3-methyl-l,3,4-thiadiazol-2(3H)-ylidene]acetamide potassium salt as a colorless solid (30.2 g., 92.6%), m.p. 26O’-261°C with dec. 914 3 EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of N-[5-(aminosulfonyl)-3-methyl-l,3,4thiadiazol-2(3H)-ylidene]acetamide Sodium Salt To 0.1N sodium hydroxide (120 ml.,, 0.12 5 mole) is added N-[5-(aminosulfonyl)-3-methyl-l,3,4thiadiazol-2(3H)-ylidene]acetamide (28.32 g., 0.12 mole) with stirring at room temperature. Stirring is continued at room temperature until a solution is obtained. The resulting solution is diluted with 10 distilled water (120 ml.) and filtered. Evaporation of the clear filtrate in vacuo at 40°C provides a colorless solid residue which is dried in vacuo at 80°C for 16 hours, collected and re-dried in vacuo over phosphorous pentoxide at 100°C for four hours to afford analytically pure N-[5-(aminosulfonyl)-3methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2(3H)-ylidene]acetamide sodium salt as a colorless solid (28.75 g., 92.8%), m.p. 230e-235°C.

Prepared analogously using equivalent molar 20 quantities of reactants are other carbonic anhydrase inhibitor alkali metal salts such as those illustrated in Table IV below. 48143 TABLE IV CARBONIC ANHYDRASE INHIBITOR SALTS m.p.

Compound (°C With Dec.) 4,5-Dichloro-m-benzenedisulfonamide dipotassium salt . hemihydrate 215-220 4,5-Dichloro-m-benzenedisulfonamide disodium salt . hemihydrate >300 10 4,5-Dichloro-m-benzenedisulfonamide dirubidium salt >260 N- [5-(aminosulfonyl)-1,3,4thiadiazol-2-yl)acetamide dipotassium salt 220 15 N-[5-(aminosulfonyl)-1,3,4thiadiazol-2-yl]acetamide disodium salt . 0.25 hydrate 218-222 143 It has been noted that the sodium salts of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, when administered in the form of inserts, as opposed to liquid formulation administered by means of drops into the eye, display a more rapid onset of ocular hypotensive activity than the potassium salts of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. However, these two salt forms (e.g., sodium and potassium), achieve comparable ceiling effects. Therefore, when rapid onset of action is desired it is preferred to employ the sodium salt when inserts are used as the carrier or vehicle.

When using inserts to administer the medication one insert per day per eye is suitable.

However, as with all medication, medical monitoring of symptoms must be employed to enable one to arrive at the optimum dosage for the patient.

Claims (5)

1. An ophthalmic insert for lowering intraocular pressure comprising a mixture of at least: — a pressure reducing amount of an alkali metal salt of a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor selected from 4,5 dichloro - m - benzene - disulfonamide; N - /5 - (aminosulfonyl) - 3 - methyl - 1,3,4 - thiadiazol - 2(3H) ylidene/ - acetamide; N - /5 - (aminosulfonyl) - 3 - methyl 1,3,4 - thiadiazol - 2(3H) - ylidene/ - acetamide; ja sulfamoylbenzoic acid; N - /5 - (aminosulfonyl) - 1,3,4 thiadiazol - 2 - yl/propanamide; N - /5 - (aminosulfonyl) 1,3,4 - thiadiazol - 2 - yl/hutanamide; and 5 - benzenesulfonamido - 1,3,4 - thiadiazol - 2 - sulfonamide; and — an ophthalmologically acceptable water soluble polymer; the polymer being shaped in the form of a solid insert suitable to be put in the eye.

2. An insert according to claim 1, where the alkali metal salt of the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor is from 0.1 to 15% by weight of said insert.

3. An insert according to claim 1 or 2, where the salt is potassium or sodium salt.

4. An insert according to any one of claims 1 to 3 where there is included in the insert a preservative so that said insert is bacteriostatic. 5. An insert according to any one of claims 1 to 4 which comprises in addition timolol. 6. An ophthalmic insert according to claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to Example 1 of the accompanying Examples. 7. A process for the preparation of an ophthalmic insert according to claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to the accompanying Examples.

5. 8. An ophthalmic insert whenever prepared by a process claimed in claim 7,