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Eye drops for Glaucoma

I have taken Lumigan for open Angle Glaucoma for a couple of years in one eye only. In April the ophthalmologist asked me to put them in both eyes. I have no problems with that and my IOP is well controlled. However, I noticed my PVC's have gone up considerably since taken the drops. At first with only one eye I had about 15,000 per day, now with drops in both eyes they have gone up to almost 30,000 per day. There where no other medication changes during that time. I don't think that the active ingredients cause the problem, but what about the Benzalkonium Chloride  (BAK) that is the preservative in the drops, could that cause the problem? has there been any research done on this?
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177275 tn?1511755244
Heart arrhythmia including PVCs is not likely due to Lumigan or the two other medications in that family (Travatan-Z and latanoprost). They are not listed in the drug prescribing literature.  I have several thousand patients on these medication and only have one patient in many years that complained of heart beat problems HOWEVER when we changed to a different type of medication (different class of glaucoma medications at present there are 4 classes) the problem stopped. This is called an "idiosyncratic" reaction.  That means your body which is unique in all the world reacts differently than almost everyone else. Of the 3 types of medication lumigan is the most irritating and I don't use it unless the person insurance demands it. The BAK will not cause the problem.

There are 3 other types of glaucoma medication available and also glaucoma laser therapy. And I would ask the glaucoma doctor to make a change in medications. If you have mild glaucoma or are being treated because your are an ocular hypertensive or high risk glaucoma suspect you could even stop the medication (with your eye MDs permission) for 3 weeks to see if they get better. Or discuss having the glaucoma laser about 70% chance it would work and you not need any drops or talk about switching to beta blocker drops: very inexpensive and actually might reduce PVCs as its one of the medications that cardiologists use for the condition.  DEFINITELY try something after confiring with eye MD and cardiologist.  Other two types of drops (example Azopt and Alphagan-P are not associated with PVCs)

See this link
http://www.ehealthme.com/ds/lumigan/pvc%20%28premature%20ventricular%20contraction%29/  
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177275 tn?1511755244
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