Interaction between progesterone and mifepristone on intraocular pressure in rabbits.

The interaction between a topically administered progesterone, medrysone, and a steroid antagonist, mifepristone, on rabbit intraocular pressure (IOP) has been determined. Medrysone alone increased IOP significantly above parallel controls over the first three weeks; this increase was not sustained. When medrysone and mifepristone were given simultaneously the IOP increased initially, but then fell after two weeks to control levels. When mifepristone was added 14 days after medrysone, the IOP was again reduced to, or below, control levels by mifepristone. The use of mifepristone alone reduced IOP relative to controls and the further addition of medrysone at 14 days had no effect on IOP. It appears that mifepristone is an effective antagonist against progesterone effects on IOP.