Upneeq (oxymetazoline) Ophthalmic Side Effects & Warnings

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.