Cyclosporine Ophthalmic Emulsion

Available by prescription only, cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion can help increase tear production in people who have chronic dry eyes caused by inflammation. This medication comes in the form of an eye drop and is used twice daily, with 12 hours between doses. Although most people tolerate this medication well, side effects may still occur and can include burning, itching, redness, or stinging.

What Is Cyclosporine Ophthalmic Emulsion?

Cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion (Restasis®) is a prescription eye drop used to treat chronic dry eyes (known medically as keratoconjunctivitis sicca). This medicine increases the amount of tears in your eyes when tear production is reduced due to inflammation.
 
(Click What Is Cyclosporine Ophthalmic Emulsion Used For? for more information on what the medication is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Are There Side Effects?

Just like any medicine, cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion can cause side effects.
 However, not everyone who uses the medicine will have problems. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well.
 
Some of the most common side effects of cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion include but are not limited to:
 
  • Burning
  • Itching, stinging, or watery eyes
  • Feeling like something is in your eye
  • Redness
  • Eye pain
  • Blurred vision or other changes in vision.
     
If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are treated easily by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
(Click Side Effects of Cyclosporine Ophthalmic Emulsion to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Susan Lakey, PharmD, MPH
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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