Ophthalmology
21 drugs
Antiglaucoma agents
- About this sectionEye drops that lower intraocular pressure to protect the optic nerve: prostaglandin analogues…
- Apraclonidineα2 adrenergic receptors of the ciliary body
- Betaxololβ1 adrenergic receptor (cardioselective)
- BimatoprostProstaglandin F (FP) receptor / prostamide receptors of the outflow pathways
- Brimonidineα2A adrenergic receptor
- BrinzolamideCarbonic anhydrase II of the ciliary processes
- DorzolamideCarbonic anhydrase II
- LatanoprostProstaglandin F2α receptor (FP)
- NetarsudilRho-associated protein kinases (ROCK1 and ROCK2)
- Timololβ1 and β2 adrenergic receptors
Dry eye and ocular surface agents
- About this sectionEye drops that calm inflammation of the eye surface (ciclosporin, lifitegrast) or help a damaged cornea heal…
- CenegerminTrkA receptor (nerve growth factor receptor)
- LifitegrastLymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1, integrin alpha-L/beta-2)
Intravitreal anti-VEGF agents
- About this sectionProteins injected into the eye that block VEGF, the signal behind the leaky new vessels of wet macular…
- AfliberceptVEGF-A (and placental growth factor), bound as a soluble decoy
- RanibizumabVEGF-A (vascular endothelial growth factor A)
Muscarinic (cholinergic) agonists
- About this sectionDrugs that act like acetylcholine on muscarinic receptors: they shrink the pupil, increase saliva and sweat…
- BethanecholMuscarinic M3 receptor of the bladder detrusor
- CevimelineMuscarinic M1 and M3 receptors
- MethacholineMuscarinic M3 receptor of airway smooth muscle
- PilocarpineMuscarinic M3 receptor
Mydriatics and cycloplegics
- About this sectionEye drops that widen the pupil and relax focusing, for eye examinations. Antimuscarinic drops do both…
- CyclopentolateMuscarinic acetylcholine receptors of the iris sphincter and ciliary muscle
- TropicamideMuscarinic acetylcholine receptors of the iris sphincter and ciliary muscle
Ophthalmic antiallergics
- About this sectionEye drops for itchy allergic eyes: antihistamines that also steady mast cells (olopatadine, ketotifen) and…
- KetotifenHistamine H1 receptor (plus mast cell stabilisation)
- OlopatadineHistamine H1 receptor (plus mast cell stabilisation)
A to Z
Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.
Representative model, for educational purposes only.
