From the Research
No, Upneeq (oxymetazoline hydrochloride 0.1% ophthalmic solution) is not currently available in Canada for the treatment of eyelid ptosis. Upneeq has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 2020 for the treatment of acquired blepharoptosis (droopy eyelid) in adults, but it has not received regulatory approval from Health Canada 1. Canadian patients with ptosis currently have access to other treatment options, including surgical correction (blepharoplasty or levator resection) and ptosis crutches attached to eyeglasses as temporary measures. Upneeq works by stimulating alpha-adrenergic receptors in Müller's muscle, which helps elevate the upper eyelid, as demonstrated in a study published in the Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology in 2021 1. The medication is typically administered as one drop in the affected eye(s) once daily. Some key points to consider about Upneeq include:
- It has been shown to provide rapid and sustained upper eyelid elevation in patients with acquired blepharoptosis 1
- It has a favorable safety profile, with most treatment-emergent adverse events being mild and not suspected to be treatment-related 2
- It may also be effective in reducing ptosis related to ocular myasthenia gravis, as demonstrated in a case report published in 2021 3 Patients in Canada interested in this treatment would need to consult with their healthcare provider about locally available alternatives or potentially explore options for accessing the medication through Health Canada's Special Access Programme if their physician determines it is medically necessary. It is also worth noting that there is some evidence to suggest that oxymetazoline hydrochloride ophthalmic solution (0.1%) may have a synergistic effect with botulinum toxin in reducing blepharospasm, although this is based on a limited case series published in 2022 4. Overall, while Upneeq is not currently available in Canada, it may be a promising treatment option for patients with eyelid ptosis in the future.