Generic name: cenegermin-bkbj [ sen-e-GER-min-- bkbj ]
Drug class: Miscellaneous ophthalmic agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 26, 2023.

Uses for Oxervate

Cenegermin-bkbj is used to treat neurotrophic keratitis (disease of the cornea of the eye).

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using Oxervate

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of cenegermin-bkbj in the pediatric population. However, safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 2 years of age.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of cenegermin-bkbj in the elderly.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Proper use of Oxervate

Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

This medicine should come with a patient information leaflet and patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

This medicine is available as a Delivery System Kit. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully to get the best out of your medicine.

To prepare the medicine:

• Push down the vial adapter blister pack onto the vial until it snaps into place over the vial's neck. Do not remove it from the vial after connecting it.
• Clean the surface of the valve on the connector part of the vial adapter with a sterile disinfectant wipe. Let it dry for about 1 minute.
• Screw a pipette (clockwise) into the connector part of the vial adapter. Make sure it is pushed all the way down.
• Turn the vial upside-down and gently pull the plunger until it stops to draw the eye drop solution into the pipette.
• Check the pipette to make sure it contains the eye drop solution. If it is empty, keep the vial with the connected pipette upside-down, push the plunger all the way in and pull it out again.
• Unscrew (counter-clockwise) and pull the pipette straight up after it has been correctly filled.

To use the medicine:

• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
• If you wear contact lenses, remove them before using this medicine. You may insert them again after 15 minutes.
• Tilt your head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space.
• Gently push the plunger down until at least a drop is released into the eye pocket. Do not touch your eye with the tip of the pipette. With your head still tilted back, blink a few times so that the medicine covers the surface of your eye.
• Throw the used pipette right away after use, even if there is still medicine left in it.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed. Serious damage to the eye and possible loss of vision may result from using contaminated eye medicines.

If you are also using other eye medicines together with cenegermin-bkbj, use them at least 15 minutes from each other. Use cenegermin-bkbj 15 minutes before using any eye ointment, gel, or other viscous eye drops.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For ophthalmic dosage forms (eye drops):
  • For neurotrophic keratitis:
    • Adults and children 2 years of age and older—Use one drop into the affected eye, 6 times a day at 2-hour intervals for 8 weeks.
    • Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the unopened vial in its original carton in the refrigerator. Keep the opened vial in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours or at room temperature. Do not shake the vial. Throw away any unused medicine after 12 hours.

Precautions while using Oxervate

It is very important that your eye doctor (ophthalmologist) check your or your child's progress at regular visits to make sure the medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

If you wear contact lenses, remove them before you put the drops into your eyes. Wait at least 15 minutes after using the medicine before you put your contact lenses back in.

This medicine may cause blurred vision. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, check with your eye doctor (ophthalmologist) right away.

Side Effects of Oxervate

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Decreased vision or any change in vision
• feeling of having something in the eye
• irritation, pain, redness, or swelling of the eye
• tearing

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

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

Frequently asked questions

• What eye condition is Oxervate used to treat?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer