When Your Eyelids Need to Hire Some Extra Muscle

Are your muscles hiring?

Through a biological process called muscle recruitment, they might be. Sometimes muscles can't perform a necessary job on their own. If that happens, they might recruit other muscles to help accomplish the task. This is one way the human body compensates for weaknesses or performance issues. So while you won't find your muscles scouting an online job board, they may be performing extra work beyond their job description!

An example of muscle recruitment can be seen among the 10-20% of people with low-lying lids, also known as acquired ptosis. When your eyelid muscles weaken, they can recruit your forehead muscles to pull the lid upward. Unfortunately, there's a wrinkle in the plan—literally! The activation of this muscle causes horizontal creases in the skin. Now, you have a dreaded combo: low-lying lids and a wrinkled forehead. Not to mention, ptosis can also cause eyelid asymmetry, a tired appearance, and even vision challenges.

As you can imagine, muscle recruitment is not a great long-term solution. Each muscle has its own job that requires its full attention. A better approach to managing low-lying lids is through Upneeq® (oxymetazoline hydrochloride ophthalmic solution), 0.1%! This prescription drop works by activating the Muller's muscle to lift your eyelid, giving them a wider, brighter look. Your forehead will thank you later.

Ready to hire back your eyelid muscles? Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider today!

Get started with Upneeq

Upneeq is the only FDA-approved, prescription eye drop that lifts low-lying eyelids (acquired ptosis). Find out if Upneeq’s eye-opening benefits are right for you.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is UPNEEQ?

UPNEEQ® (oxymetazoline hydrochloride ophthalmic solution), 0.1% is a prescription eyedrop used to treat acquired blepharoptosis (low-lying lids) in adults.

What warnings and precautions are associated with UPNEEQ?

Low-lying lids may be related to conditions such as stroke and/or brain aneurysm, Horner syndrome, myasthenia gravis, loss of the ability to move eye muscles, eye infection and eye tumors. Tell your doctor if you have any of these conditions.
UPNEEQ is a type of medication that may affect your blood pressure. If you have heart disease, uncontrolled high or low blood pressure, or feel faint at rest or when quickly standing up, you should call your doctor if your symptoms get worse.
Patients with reduced blood flow to the brain or heart, or patients who experience eye or mouth dryness due to an immune system disorder (Sjögren’s syndrome), should use care when taking UPNEEQ. Call your doctor immediately if you feel your symptoms may be getting worse.
UPNEEQ may increase the risk of eye pressure due to fluid buildup (angle-closure glaucoma) in patients with untreated narrow-angle glaucoma. Call your doctor immediately if you feel increased pressure in your eye after using UPNEEQ.
Do not let the tip of the UPNEEQ vial touch your eye or any other surface. This can help prevent eye injury or contamination. Each UPNEEQ vial is for one-time use and should be discarded after being used.

What are the most common side effects of UPNEEQ?

The most common adverse reactions with UPNEEQ (occurring in 1-5% of patients) were eye inflammation, eye redness, dry eye, blurred vision, eye pain at time of use, eye irritation, and headache.

What should my doctor know about before prescribing me UPNEEQ?

Your doctor should review your full medical history before prescribing UPNEEQ.
UPNEEQ belongs to a class of medication (alpha-adrenergic agonists) that may affect your blood pressure. Use UPNEEQ carefully if you currently take an alpha-adrenergic agonist medication to treat heart disease or an enlarged prostate. Patients taking beta-blockers, or other medications to treat hypertension or an abnormal heartbeat, should also be careful when using UPNEEQ.
Patients who use a certain class of antidepressant medication (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) should also be careful when using UPNEEQ, as it may affect the way your body absorbs the medication.

These are not all of the possible side effects of UPNEEQ. Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
To report side effects or product complaints, contact RVL Pharmaceuticals at 1-877-482-3788. You may also report side effects to the FDA by calling 1-800-FDA-1088 or visit www.fda.gov/medwatch.
This is a summary of the most important safety information for UPNEEQ. For more in-depth safety information, please review the full Prescribing Information for UPNEEQ.