How to use Rhopressa?: A Comprehensive Patient Guide

October 7, 2025 •

3 min read

More than 50% of patients in clinical trials experienced eye redness when using Rhopressa. Proper administration is key to managing potential side effects and ensuring the medication works effectively. This guide will explain precisely how to use Rhopressa eye drops to manage glaucoma or ocular hypertension safely and correctly.

Quick Summary

This is a complete guide to using Rhopressa (netarsudil) ophthalmic solution. It details the correct timing for administration, step-by-step technique, storage requirements, and what to do in case of a missed dose. Safety precautions and common side effects are also outlined.

Key Points

Use as directed: Apply Rhopressa to the affected eye(s) as prescribed by your doctor.
Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands thoroughly before and after use and never let the dropper tip touch your eye or any other surface to avoid contamination.
Remove contact lenses: Always remove soft contact lenses before instilling the drops and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back in.
Skip missed doses: If you forget a dose, do not take a double dose. Skip it and resume your normal schedule the following evening.
Store correctly: Keep unopened bottles refrigerated. Once opened, you can store it at room temperature for up to 6 weeks, or continue to refrigerate until the expiration date.
Manage eye redness: Conjunctival hyperemia (eye redness) is a very common side effect. It often improves over time, but contact your doctor if it is severe or persistent.

Rhopressa (netarsudil ophthalmic solution) 0.02% is a prescription eye drop used to reduce elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. It is a Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor and works by increasing fluid drainage through the eye's main pathway, the trabecular meshwork. Proper usage is important for effectiveness and managing potential side effects.

Administration and Timing

Rhopressa is typically prescribed for use in the affected eye(s) once daily in the evening. It's best to use it at the same time each night. If using other eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes between applications.

Step-by-Step Application Instructions

Wash your hands thoroughly.
Remove soft contact lenses and wait 15 minutes after use before reinserting them.
Ensure the dropper tip is intact. Unscrew the cap and place it on a clean surface.
Tilt your head back or lie down and pull down your lower eyelid to form a pocket.
Hold the bottle tip down near your eye without touching it. Brace your hand for stability. Look up and gently squeeze for one drop into the pocket.
Close your eye gently without blinking or squeezing.
Press a finger on the inner corner of your eye for 1-2 minutes to help keep the medication in your eye.
Wipe away excess liquid and replace the cap tightly. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper tip.

Proper Handling and Hygiene

Avoid touching the dropper tip to prevent contamination and potential eye infections.

Storage and Disposal

Unopened bottles of Rhopressa must be refrigerated (36°F to 46°F or 2°C to 8°C). Opened bottles can be kept refrigerated or at room temperature (up to 77°F or 25°C) for up to 6 weeks. Discard any unused medication after 6 weeks. Temporary temperature variations during shipping are generally acceptable.

What to Do for a Missed Dose

If you miss an evening dose, do not take an extra dose the next day. Simply continue with your regular dose the following evening. Using it twice a day is not recommended.

Potential Side Effects and Safety Warnings

The most common side effect is eye redness (conjunctival hyperemia), reported in over half of patients. It may lessen over time. Other common side effects include corneal verticillata, pain during application, and broken blood vessels in the eye. Contact your doctor about persistent or worsening side effects, vision changes, eye pain, or discharge.

Comparison of Rhopressa vs. Other Glaucoma Drops

This table compares Rhopressa with Timolol, another common glaucoma treatment.


Feature	Rhopressa (netarsudil)	Timolol Ophthalmic
Drug Class	Rho kinase inhibitor	Beta-blocker
Mechanism of Action	Increases outflow through the trabecular meshwork	Reduces aqueous humor production
Dosing Frequency	Once daily	Typically twice daily
Primary Side Effects	Conjunctival hyperemia (redness), corneal verticillata, pain on instillation	Bradycardia, systemic effects, blurred vision, dry eyes
Drug Interactions	No known significant interactions	Potential interactions with other drugs
Refrigeration	Required until opened	Not required

Conclusion: The Importance of Adherence

Consistent and correct use of Rhopressa is vital for managing intraocular pressure and preventing vision loss. Following the prescribed application steps and storage instructions helps ensure the treatment is effective and safe. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist with any questions or concerns.

For more information, refer to the MedlinePlus drug information for netarsudil.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rhopressa is typically used in the affected eye(s) once daily in the evening. It is best to apply it around the same time every night, following your doctor's instructions.

If you miss a dose, skip it and continue with your regular schedule the next evening. Do not use extra or double the dose to catch up.

Yes, unopened bottles of Rhopressa must be stored in the refrigerator. After opening, you can keep the bottle refrigerated or at room temperature for up to 6 weeks.

You should remove soft contact lenses before using Rhopressa. You can reinsert them 15 minutes after administering the drops.

If you are using more than one topical eye medication, you should wait at least 5 minutes between applications.

The most common side effect is conjunctival hyperemia (eye redness), which affects about half of all patients. Other common effects include corneal verticillata and instillation site pain.

Rhopressa is a Rho kinase inhibitor that works by increasing the outflow of aqueous humor through the eye's main drainage pathway, the trabecular meshwork.