Why is this medication prescribed?
Netarsudil ophthalmic is used to treat glaucoma (a condition in which increased pressure in the eye can lead to gradual loss of vision) and ocular hypertension (a condition which causes increased pressure in the eye). Netarsudil is in a class of medications called rho kinase inhibitors. It works by lowering the pressure in the eye by increasing the flow of natural eye fluids out of the eye.
How should this medicine be used?
Netarsudil ophthalmic comes as a solution (liquid) to instill in the eye. It is usually instilled in the affected eye(s) once a day in the evening. Use netarsudil at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use netarsudil exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Netarsudil controls glaucoma and ocular hypertension but does not cure them. Do not stop using netarsudil eye drops without talking to your doctor.
To instill the eye drops follow these steps:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Check the dropper tip to make sure that it is not chipped or cracked.
- Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or anything else; eye drops and droppers must be kept clean.
- While tilting your head back, pull down the lower lid of your eye with your index finger to form a pocket.
- Hold the dropper (tip down) with the other hand, as close to the eye as possible without touching it.
- .Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your face.
- While looking up, gently squeeze the dropper so that a single drop falls into the pocket made by the lower eyelid. Remove your index finger from the lower eyelid.
- Close your eye for 2 to 3 minutes and tip your head down as though looking at the floor. Try not to blink or squeeze your eyelids.
- Place a finger on the tear duct and apply gentle pressure.
- Wipe any excess liquid from your face with a tissue.
- Replace and tighten the cap on the dropper bottle. Do not wipe or rinse the dropper tip.
- Wash your hands to remove any medication.
Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before using netarsudil eye drops,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to netarsudil, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in the netarsudil eye drop solution. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- if you are using another topical eye medication, instill it at least 5 minutes before or after you instill netarsudil eye drops.
- tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions, including any in the eye.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking netarsudil ophthalmic, call your doctor.
- if you are having eye surgery, tell the doctor that you are using netarsudil ophthalmic.
- you should know that if you have an eye injury or develop an eye or eye lid infection while using netarsudil ophthalmic solution, ask your doctor if you can continue using netarsudil ophthalmic.
- If you wear contact lenses, remove them before instilling netarsudil. You may put them back in 15 minutes after you instill the drops.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule in the evening. Do not instill two doses in one day, or instill a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Netarsudil may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- eye pain upon instilling
- eye or eye lid redness
- discoloration of the eye
- changes in vision (blurriness, difficulty seeing)
- teary eyes
Netarsudil ophthalmic may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Keep this medication in the bottle it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store unopened bottles in the refrigerator. Opened bottles can be stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature (up to 77°F [25°C]). Dispose of the bottle 6 weeks after opening, even if there is some solution left in the bottle.
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Brand names
- Rhopressa®
- Rocklatan® (as a combination product containing Latanoprost, Netarsudil)