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.

SLIDESHOW
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) Symptoms, Causes, Treatments See SlideshowSummary
Upneeq (oxymetazoline hydrochloride) ophthalmic solution is an alpha-adrenergic agonist used to treat acquired drooping upper eyelid (blepharoptosis) in adults. Side effects of Upneeq include punctate keratitis, eye redness, dry eye, blurred vision, instillation site pain, eye irritation, and headache.
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