Varenicline Solution Nasal Spray: A Review in Dry Eye Disease

Increasing endogenous tear film production via pharmacological neuroactivation of the nasolacrimal reflex [NLR; also known as the trigeminal parasympathetic pathway (TPP)] is a novel therapeutic approach to treating dry eye disease (DED). An intranasal formulation of the water-soluble, small-molecule, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist varenicline (Tyrvaya™) has been approved in the USA for the treatment of DED. Twice-daily administration of varenicline solution nasal spray resulted in rapid, statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in the signs and symptoms of DED over a period of 4 weeks in two pivotal studies (ONSET-1 and -2). The efficacy of varenicline solution was maintained over a longer-term period of 12 weeks in a third study (MYSTIC). Consistent with the nasal route of delivery, the most common adverse events reported by varenicline solution recipients were non-ocular in nature (mild and transient sneezing and cough). Thus, varenicline solution nasal spray is a rapidly-acting, effective and generally well tolerated treatment for DED that offers several potentially useful advantages over existing topical ocular therapies in terms of increasing endogenous tear secretion and reducing ophthalmic treatment burden.