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Medications for Blepharoptosis

Other names: Acquired Blepharoptosis; Droopy Eyelid; Ptosis; Ptosis of Eyelid

Blepharoptosis (also known as ptosis or droopy eyelid) is a drooping of the upper eyelid that can cause limited field of vision. It can affect one or both eyes. It usually occurs from a partial or complete dysfunction of the Müller’s muscle, which in conjunction with the levator palpebrae superioris muscle, elevates the upper eyelid.

Blepharoptosis can generally be classified as congenital (present at birth) or acquired (present in later life), with the most common type being age-related aponeurotic ptosis.

Symptoms of blepharoptosis may include crossed or misaligned eyes, difficulty in closing the eye completely, double vision, drooping eyelid, eye fatigue, and tilting of the head.

Blepharoptosis can be corrected with surgery to tighten the levator muscle. Surgery to remove excess eyelid tissue (blepharoplasty) may also be performed. Blepharoptosis can also be treated with oxymetazoline hydrochloride ophthalmic solution (Upneeq), which is believed to selectively target Müller’s muscle and elevate the upper eyelid.

Drugs used to treat Blepharoptosis

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Upneeq 7.8 13 reviews for Upneeq to treat Blepharoptosis
Rx C N
Generic name:
oxymetazoline ophthalmic
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
oxymetazoline 7.8 13 reviews for oxymetazoline to treat Blepharoptosis
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
oxymetazoline ophthalmic
Brand name:
Upneeq
Drug class:
ophthalmic antihistamines and decongestants
For consumers:
interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph

Learn more about Blepharoptosis

Care guides

Symptoms and treatments

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.