The Safety and Efficacy of Phentolamine Mesylate Ophthalmic Solution in Subjects With Severe Night Vision Disturbances
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01703559 |
Recruitment Status :
Completed
First Posted : October 10, 2012
Last Update Posted : August 1, 2019
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The objectives of this study are:
- To evaluate the efficacy of phentolamine mesylate 0.5% and 1.0% ophthalmic solution (Nyxol) in the treatment of night vision complaints, including reduced contrast sensitivity
- To evaluate the ocular and systemic safety of phentolamine mesylate 0.5% and 1.0% ophthalmic solution (Nyxol) compared to its vehicle, a sterile, isotonic, buffered aqueous solution containing mannitol and sodium acetate
Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
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Night Vision Complaints Decrease in Night Vision Disturbance; Vision, Loss | Drug: Phentolamine Mesylate Ophthalmic Solution 1.0% Drug: Phentolamine Mesylate Ophthalmic Solution 0.5% Other: Phentolamine Mesylate Ophthalmic Solution Vehicle (Placebo) | Phase 2 |
Randomized, double-masked, multiple dose Phase 2 parallel evaluation of the safety and efficacy of phentolamine mesylate (PM) ophthalmic solution in 60 subjects with severe night vision complaints, evaluating ocular and systemic safety and efficacy following administration of phentolamine mesylate (.05% or 1%) in both eyes for 15 days.
Subjects were randomized into three groups with a 1:1:1 randomization. The groups received either (1) phentolamine mesylate ophthalmic solution 0.5%, (2) phentolamine mesylate ophthalmic solution 1.0%, or (3) placebo, once daily (QD) for 15 days. The treatment period was 15 days, plus 6 additional days over the next 14 days. After 15 days, all subjects were given the opportunity to receive an additional 6 doses of 1.0% phentolamine mesylate to be taken once daily as needed over the next two weeks. There was a post-dosing follow-up evaluation 7 days after the last dose. Study participants completed a night vision questionnaire at pre-treatment and after 15 and 29 days.
Efficacy evaluations included contrast sensitivity (mesopic, with and without glare), mesopic distance high contrast visual acuity (HCVA) and mesopic distance low contrast visual acuity (LCVA). Safety evaluations included photopic distance HCVA, a complete ophthalmic examination and measurement of heart rate and blood pressure.
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Actual Enrollment : | 60 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Parallel Assignment |
Masking: | Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | Double-Masked Parallel Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of Phentolamine Mesylate Ophthalmic Solution in Subjects With Severe Night Vision Disturbances |
Actual Study Start Date : | September 9, 2011 |
Actual Primary Completion Date : | April 16, 2012 |
Actual Study Completion Date : | April 30, 2012 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
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Placebo Comparator: Placebo
Administered once daily in both eyes for 15 days
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Other: Phentolamine Mesylate Ophthalmic Solution Vehicle (Placebo)
Placebo (vehicle) is a sterile, isotonic, buffered aqueous solution containing mannitol and sodium acetate |
Experimental: Phentolamine Mesylate Ophthalmic Solution 0.5%
Administered once daily in both eyes for 15 days
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Drug: Phentolamine Mesylate Ophthalmic Solution 0.5%
Phentolamine mesylate (Nyxol) ophthalmic solution 0.5% is a non-selective alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist
Other Names:
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Experimental: Phentolamine Mesylate Ophthalmic Solution 1.0%
Administered once daily in both eyes for 15 days
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Drug: Phentolamine Mesylate Ophthalmic Solution 1.0%
Phentolamine mesylate (Nyxol) ophthalmic solution 1.0% is a non-selective alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist
Other Names:
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- Proportion of Eyes With ≥ 0.3 Log Increase in Mesopic Contrast Sensitivities for at Least 2 HACSS Frequencies [ Time Frame: Days 1, 4, 8, 15, and 32 ]Proportion of eyes with an increase ≥ 0.3 log (2 or more patches) in mesopic contrast sensitivity with glare at one or more frequencies at 1.5, 3, 6, 12, and 18 cycles per degree, measured with the HACSS methodology (categorical analysis)
- Pupil Diameter - Change from Day 1 Pre-Dose Baseline [ Time Frame: Day 1 post-dose and Days 4, 8, and 15 ]
- Mesopic Contrast Sensitivity with Glare at 1 or More Frequencies at 1.5, 3, 6, 12, and 18 Cycles Per Degree, Measured with the HACSS Methodology - Change from Day 1 Pre-Dose Baseline [ Time Frame: Day 1 post-dose and Days 4, 8, and 15 ]
- Mesopic Contrast Sensitivity without Glare at 1 or More Frequencies at 1.5, 3, 6, 12, and 18 Cycles Per Degree, Measured with the HACSS Methodology - Change from Day 1 Pre-Dose Baseline [ Time Frame: Day 1 post-dose and Days 4, 8, and 15 ]
- Mesopic Distance High Contrast Visual Acuity (HCVA), Measured with Electronic Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (eETDRS) Charts - Change from Day 1 Pre-Dose Baseline [ Time Frame: Day 1 post-dose and Days 4, 8, and 15 ]
- Mesopic Distance Low Contrast Visual Acuity (LCVA), Measured with eETDRS Charts - Change from Day 1 Pre-Dose Baseline [ Time Frame: Day 1 post-dose and Days 4, 8, and 15 ]
- Subjective Evaluations of Vision (NEI Vision Function) - Change from Day 15 [ Time Frame: Day 32 ]

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 45 Years (Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | Yes |
Inclusion Criteria:
- 18 to 45 years of age experiencing severe night vision difficulty (as reported subjectively)
- 0.3 log improvement at least 1 eye using the Holladay Automated Contrast Sensitivity System (HACSS™) test at 2 of 4 spatial frequencies (3, 6, 12, and 18 cycles per degree) under low and high mesopic room illumination with glare
- Photopic visual acuity (corrected or uncorrected) of 20/25 or better
- Able and willing to give informed consent and comply with all protocol-mandated procedures
Exclusion Criteria:
- Cataracts (nuclear sclerosis or anterior subcapsular) of 1+ or greater
- Contact lens wear within 4 weeks of enrollment
- Ocular trauma within the past 6 months, or ocular surgery or laser treatment within the past 3 months
- Refractive surgery or cataract surgery in either eye
- Use of ocular medication within 4 weeks of Visit 1
- Clinically significant ocular disease (e.g., corneal edema, uveitis, severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca, glaucoma, retinal degenerative disease) which might interfere with the study
- Any abnormality preventing reliable applanation tonometry of either eye
- Central corneal thickness greater than 600 µ
- Known hypersensitivity or contraindication to PM, or any component of the formulation, or to topical anesthetics.
- Contraindications to phentolamine (including history of myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular spasm, cerebrovascular occlusion, coronary insufficiency, angina, or other evidence suggestive of coronary artery disease)
- Low blood pressure: systolic < 100 mm Hg or diastolic < 60 mm Hg
- A history of heart rate abnormalities, such as tachycardia or arrhythmias.
- Clinically significant systemic disease (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, myasthenia gravis, hepatic, renal, cardiovascular, or endocrine disorders) which might interfere with the study
- Use of any systemic alpha adrenergic antagonists up to 4 weeks prior to screening or during the study
- Changes of systemic medication that could have a substantial effect on ocular autonomic pupil tone 4 weeks prior to screening, or anticipated during the study
- Participation in any investigational study within the past 30 days
- Women of childbearing potential who are pregnant, nursing, planning a pregnancy, or not using a medically acceptable form of birth control. An adult woman is considered to be of childbearing potential unless she is 1 year post-menopausal or 3 months post-surgical sterilization. All females of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test result at the screening examination and must not intend to become pregnant during the study

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01703559
United States, Arizona | |
Celerion | |
Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 67230 |
Principal Investigator: | Dennis Swearingen, MD | Celerion |
Responsible Party: | Ocuphire Pharma, Inc. |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT01703559 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
OP-NYX-01a2 |
First Posted: | October 10, 2012 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | August 1, 2019 |
Last Verified: | July 2019 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | Yes |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | No |
Glare Starbursts Halos Reduced Contrast Sensitivity |
Night Vision Disturbances NVD NVDs |
Phentolamine Pharmaceutical Solutions Ophthalmic Solutions Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists Adrenergic Antagonists |
Adrenergic Agents Neurotransmitter Agents Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action Physiological Effects of Drugs Antihypertensive Agents |