Generic drug: oxymetazoline hydrochloride
Brand name: Upneeq
What is Upneeq (oxymetazoline hydrochloride), and how does it work?
Upneeq (oxymetazoline hydrochloride) ophthalmic solution is an alpha-adrenergic agonist used to treat acquired drooping upper eyelid (blepharoptosis) in adults.
What are the side effects of Upneeq?
Side effects of Upneeq include:
- punctate keratitis,
- eye redness,
- dry eye,
- blurred vision,
- instillation site pain,
- eye irritation, and
- headache
What is the dosage for Upneeq?
- Instill one drop of Upneeq into one or both ptotic eye(s) once daily. Discard the single patient-use container immediately after dosing.
- Contact lenses should be removed prior to instillation of Upneeq and may be reinserted 15 minutes following its administration.
- If more than one topical ophthalmic drug is being used, the drugs should be administered at least 15 minutes between applications.
What drugs interact with Upneeq?
Anti-Hypertensives/Cardiac Glycosides
- Alpha-adrenergic agonists, as a class, may impact blood pressure. Caution in using drugs such as beta-blockers, anti-hypertensives, and/or cardiac glycosides is advised.
- Caution should also be exercised in patients receiving alpha adrenergic receptor antagonists such as in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, or benign prostatic hypertrophy.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
- Caution is advised in patients taking MAO inhibitors which can affect the metabolism and uptake of circulating amines.
Is Upneeq safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding?
- There are no available data on Upneeq use in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage.
- No clinical data are available to assess the effects of oxymetazoline on the quantity or rate of breastmilk production, or to establish the level of oxymetazoline present in human breastmilk post-dose.
- The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for
Upneeq and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from Upneeq.