Key takeaways

  • Xdemvy (lotilaner ophthalmic solution) is a brand-name prescription eye drop used in adults to treat blepharitis (eyelid inflammation) caused by Demodex mites.
  • As with other drugs, Xdemvy can cause mild to serious side effects. These include a burning and stinging sensation when applying the liquid solution to your eyes.
  • If side effects of Xdemvy become difficult to tolerate, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss ways to manage your side effects or suggest other treatment options. Do not stop using Xdemvy without consulting with your doctor first.

Xdemvy can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects persist, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The most commonly reported side effect of Xdemvy is a burning and stinging sensation when applying the eye drop solution. For more information, see the “Managing side effects” section.

Mild side effects can occur with Xdemvy use. This list may not include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To find out more, you can refer to the drug’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Xdemvy include:

  • burning and stinging sensation when applying the eye drops
  • chalazion or stye
  • punctate keratitis (a kind of inflammation of your cornea)

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects continue, worsen, or become too difficult to tolerate, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Managing side effects” section.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Xdemvy and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

There were no serious side effects reported in Xdemvy studies.

If you develop serious side effects during treatment with this medication, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Xdemvy can cause an allergic reaction, but this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep using Xdemvy.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Xdemvy, your doctor may recommend using a different medication instead.

While using Xdemvy, you may be able to take steps to make side effects easier to manage.

If you have problems with side effects that do not go away or become worse, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can suggest options for managing side effects or recommend other treatment options for your condition.

Burning and stinging sensation

A burning and stinging sensation when applying Xdemvy eye drops was a common side effect reported in the drug’s studies.

Steps you can take to manage symptoms associated with this side effect include:

Punctate keratitis

Punctate keratitis was an uncommon side effect reported in studies of Xdemvy. This is a type of inflammation that causes little dot-like lesions on the clear front layer of your eye (the cornea). These lesions can cause blurry vision, eye redness, light sensitivity, and the sensation that there’s something in your eye.

If your eye doctor confirms you have punctate keratitis, they can recommend treatment to help manage it. Options include artificial eye drops and corticosteroid eye drops.

To help prevent this side effect, it’s important to regularly use artificial tears if you have dry eyes and to wear sunglasses when you’re in bright sunlight.

Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Is Xdemvy a steroid? An antibiotic?

No, Xdemvy is not a steroid or an antibiotic. Xdemvy contains the active ingredient lotilaner and belongs to a class of drugs called antiparasitics.

For more questions about this medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is blurry vision a side effect of Xdemvy?

No, blurry vision wasn’t reported as a side effect in Xdemvy’s studies. However, it can be a symptom of punctate keratitis, an uncommon side effect of Xdemvy. (See the previous “Managing side effects” section for more information.)

If you experience blurry vision while using this medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Before starting Xdemvy treatment, discuss your health history with your doctor. These eye drops may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • conjunctivitis (pink eye)
  • eye injury or eye surgery
  • other eye infections
  • wearing contact lenses
  • breastfeeding
  • pregnancy
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.