Rhopressa

Rhopressa is a prescription medication used to treat an eye condition called glaucoma. It is also used to treat a condition called ocular hypertension (higher than normal pressure inside the eye), which can lead to glaucoma if not treated. 

Rhopressa belongs to a group of drugs called rho kinase inhibitors. These are thorught to work by increasing the amount of fluid that flows out of the eye in order to lower the pressure.

This medication comes in the form of an eye drop. The usual dose is 1 drop in the affected eye(s) every evening.

Common side effects of Rhopressa include eye redness and deposits into the cornea, a transparent layer of the eye.

Rhopressa is a prescription medication used to treat an eye condition called open-angle glaucoma. It is also used to treat a condition called ocular hypertension (higher than normal pressure inside the eye), which can lead to glaucoma if not treated. 

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with Rhopressa. See the “Rhopressa Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Rhopressa include the following:

• eye redness
• deposits or change in color of the cornea, a transparent layer of the eye
• eye pain after putting in eye drop
• blood vessel in the eye(s) breaking
• blurred vision
• eyelid redness
• increased tears
• decreased vision

This is not a complete list of Rhopressa side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effects that bother you or that do not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

No drug interactions have been determined by the manufacturer. However, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Serious side effects have been reported with Rhopressa including the following:

• bacterial keratitis or an eye infection. Avoid allowing the tip of the dispensing container to contact the eye or surrounding structures because this could cause the tip to become contaminated by common bacteria known to cause eye infections. Serious damage to the eye and subsequent loss of vision may result from using contaminated solutions.
• Contact lenses should be removed prior to administration of the solution. Lenses may be reinserted 15 minutes following administration of Rhopressa.

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Rhopressa, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking Rhopressa, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to Rhopressa or to any of its ingredients
• have or have had eye problems or have a family history of eye problems
• wear contacts
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with Rhopressa. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Rhopressa crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Rhopressa.

Take Rhopressa exactly as prescribed.

Rhopressa comes in solution form and is placed in the affected eye(s) once daily in the evening.

If you miss a dose, skip the dose and continue treatment with the next dose in the evening.

Tips for using eye drops

• If you use more than 1 eye drop medicine, wait at least 5 minutes between each eye drop
• If you wear contact lenses, remove your lenses before using Rhopressa and wait 15 minutes after dosing before putting them back in
• Always wash your hands before using eye drops, or touching your eyes, contacts, or the Rhopressa bottle. Use soap and warm running water to create a lather. Rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds—wash the fronts and backs of your hands, your wrists, between your fingers, and under fingernails. Use either a clean, dry towel or a fresh disposable towel to thoroughly dry your hands. And use a towel to turn off the faucet
• Remember, to avoid contamination do not touch the dispenser with your hands, eyes, and other surfaces
• If you have trouble getting the drop into your eye, try turning your head to the side, or lying down. Then place a drop in the inner corner of your eyelid, and open your eye slowly. The drop should roll right into your eye
• If you find that pulling down on your lower eyelid to make a pocket for the drop is difficult, try gently pinching the eyelid instead—then just drop the medicine into the pocket you created
• If you tend to blink before the drop hits your eye, try looking to the side rather than straight at the dropper
• If you aren't sure that you are getting the drop into your eye, try placing the bottle in the refrigerator before use. When you feel the cool eye drop, you will know that it made it into your eye
• If your hand is shaking, try resting your hand on your face—this may help steady your hand. If that doesn't work, try wearing a light wrist weight

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your health care professional.

The recommended dose of Rhopressa for glaucoma or high blood pressure is one drop in the affected eye(s) once daily in the evening.

If you take too much Rhopressa, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

• Store unopened bottle in the refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) until opened. 
• After opening bottle, Rhopressa bottle can be kept in the refrigerator or at room temperature between 36°F to 77°F (2°C to 25°C) for up to 6 weeks.
• Throw away Rhopressa bottle 6 weeks after opening even if there is some medication left over.