ATC Group: S01XA Other ophthalmologicals

Acetylcysteine is N-acetyl derivative of cysteine. Used as a mucolytic agent to reduce the viscosity of mucous secretions.

Alteplase is a recombinant human tissue-type plasminogen activator, a glycoprotein, which activates plasminogen directly to plasmin. Once bound to fibrin, it is activated, inducing the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin leading to the dissolution of the fibrin clot.

Carmellose sodium has no pharmacological effect. Carmellose sodium has a high viscosity resulting in an increased retention time on the eye.

Cenegermin, a recombinant form of human nerve growth factor. Nerve growth factor is an endogenous protein involved in the differentiation and maintenance of neurons, which acts through specific high-affinity (i.e. TrkA) and low-affinity (i.e. p75NTR) nerve growth factor receptors. The treatment with cenegermin, administered as eye drops, is intended to allow restoration of corneal integrity.

Ciclosporin (also known as ciclosporin A) is a cyclic polypeptide immunomodulator with immunosuppressant properties. It has been shown to prolong survival of allogeneic transplants in animals and significantly improved graft survival in all types of solid organ transplantation in man. Ciclosporin has also been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Dexpanthenol is converted in tissues to pantothenic acid, a component of coenzyme A (CoA) that is essential to normal epithelial function, increased fibroblast proliferation and accelerated re-epithelialization in wound healing.

Ethylmorphine (ethylmorphine) is a derivative of morphine with analgesic and antitussive effect. It acts by activating the opioid receptors and thus has a direct influence on the CNS system.

Heparin is an anticoagulant and acts by inhibiting thrombin and by potentiating the naturally occurring inhibitors of activated Factor X (Xa).

Lifitegrast is a lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) antagonist. It binds to the integrin LFA-1, a cell surface protein found on leukocytes and blocks the interaction of LFA-1 with its cognate ligand intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). ICAM-1 may be overexpressed in corneal and conjunctival tissues in DED.

The mechanism of action of limbal stem cells implantation is the replacement of corneal epithelium and lost limbal stem cells in patients in which the limbus has been destroyed by ocular burns. During the corneal repair process, the administered stem cells are intended to partially multiply, differentiate and migrate to regenerate corneal epithelium, as well as maintaining a reservoir of stem cells that can continually regenerate the corneal epithelium.

Mercaptamine reduces corneal cystine crystal accumulation acting as a cystine-depleting agent by converting cystine to cysteine and cysteine-cysteamine mixed disulfides.

Nandrolone is chemically related to testosterone and shows enhanced anabolic and a reduced androgenic activity. In humans nandrolone has been shown to positively influence calcium metabolism and to increase bone mass in osteoporosis.

Ocriplasmin has a proteolytic activity against protein components of the vitreous body and the vitreoretinal interface (VRI) (e.g. laminin, fibronectin and collagen) and aims to dissolve the protein matrix responsible for the abnormal vitreomacular adhesion (VMA).

Pegcetacoplan is a symmetrical molecule comprised of two identical pentadecapeptides covalently bound to the ends of a linear 40-kDa PEG molecule. The peptide moieties bind to complement C3 and exert a broad inhibition of the complement cascade. Pegcetacoplan binds to complement protein C3 and its activation fragment C3b with high affinity, thereby regulating the cleavage of C3 and the generation of downstream effectors of complement activation. In PNH, extravascular haemolysis (EVH) is facilitated by C3b opsonisation while intravascular haemolysis (IVH) is mediated by the downstream membrane attack complex (MAC).

Polyacrylic acid is a hydrophilic, high molecular weight polymer of carboxyvinylic acid. The gel forms a transparent lubricating and moistening film on the surface of the eye. The preparation has a pH similar to that found in the normal tear film and is slightly hypotonic with respect to tears. Polyacrylic acid relieves the symptoms of irritation linked with dry eye syndromes and protects the cornea against drying out.

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), also commonly called polyvidone or povidone, is a water-soluble polymer made from the monomer N-vinylpyrrolidone. Polyvinylpyrrolidone is used as a lubricant in some eye drops.

Potassium iodide is indicated as a thyroid-blocking agent to prevent the uptake of radioactive iodine, for example after a nuclear accident or during a nuclear medicine investigation before administering a radioiodinated compound, which is metabolised to iodide or which contains radioiodine impurities.

Varenicline binds with high affinity and selectivity at the α4β2 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, where it acts as a partial agonist – a compound that has both agonist activity, with lower intrinsic efficacy than nicotine, and antagonist activities in the presence of nicotine.

Ascorbic acid, coupled with dehydroascorbic acid to which it is reversibly oxidised, has a variety of functions in cellular oxidation processes. Ascorbic acid is required in several important hydroxylations, including the conversion of proline to hydroxyproline and appears to have an important role in metal ion metabolism, including the gastrointestinal absorption of iron and its transport between plasma and storage organs.

Voretigene neparvovec results to transduction of retinal pigment epithelial cells with a cDNA encoding normal human RPE65 protein (gene augmentation therapy), providing the potential to restore the visual cycle in patients with vision loss due to inherited retinal dystrophy.