Restasis (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion)

Cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion is a prescription eye drop used to help increase tear production in certain chronic dry eye conditions. This page summarizes what it treats, how it’s typically used, and key safety points. It also explains how BorderFreeHealth supports cash-pay access for people without insurance.

What Restasis Is and How It Works

US shipping from Canada is coordinated for this prescription therapy when a valid prescription is on file. The active ingredient, cyclosporine, is an immunomodulator (helps calm an overactive immune response) used on the eye’s surface. In chronic dry eye linked to inflammation, the tear film can become unstable and the surface may stay irritated. By reducing inflammatory signaling locally, this medicine may support more consistent natural tear production over time. For broader background, browse the Dry Eye condition hub.

We verify prescriptions with the prescriber before dispensing through a Canadian partner pharmacy. The drop is an emulsion (a milky liquid mixture) designed for ocular use. Because it targets underlying inflammation rather than acting like a lubricant, it is often discussed alongside supportive measures such as minimizing airflow exposure and using preservative-free artificial tears when recommended by a clinician. Follow-up is typically used to assess comfort, surface staining, and overall symptom control.

Who It’s For

Restasis is commonly prescribed for people with chronic dry eye where decreased tear production is associated with ocular surface inflammation (often described clinically as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, meaning “dry inflammation” of the cornea and conjunctiva). Symptoms can include burning, gritty sensation, fluctuating vision, and sensitivity to wind or screens. Dry eye also tends to become more noticeable with hormonal changes and aging; the guide Vision Changes With Age offers additional context.

This treatment is not appropriate for everyone. It is generally avoided in anyone with a known hypersensitivity to cyclosporine or other formulation ingredients. Prescribers may also delay use when there is an active eye infection or unexplained severe redness until the cause is evaluated. People managing systemic conditions that affect eye health should share that history, since dryness can overlap with other problems; the resource Diabetic Retinopathy Overview is one example of how eye care planning can broaden over time. For related product listings, the Ophthalmology category can be browsed by medicine type.

Dosage and Usage

For Restasis, the labeled schedule is often one drop in each affected eye twice daily, about 12 hours apart, unless a prescriber directs otherwise. Technique matters because eye drops can be missed or contaminated. Common label-style steps include washing hands, avoiding contact between the tip and the eye or lashes, and closing the container promptly after use. Vision may be blurry briefly after instillation, so some people plan doses when they are not about to drive.

If other ophthalmic products are used, clinicians often recommend separating them by several minutes so the first drop is not rinsed out. Contact lenses are usually removed before dosing and reinserted after a waiting period recommended by the prescriber or label.

Quick tip: Keep a simple dosing log in a notes app to avoid missed doses.

When irritation persists or worsens, reassessment is important because dry eye symptoms can overlap with allergy, lid disease, or infection. If questions come up about timing with other prescribed drops, confirm the schedule with the treating clinic or pharmacist.

Strengths and Forms

Restasis is supplied as a 0.05% ophthalmic emulsion (cyclosporine). The presentation may vary by market and pharmacy channel. Some people receive single-use vials, while others may be dispensed a multidose bottle (often described as “MultiDose”). The prescribed form can affect day-to-day handling, including how the container is kept clean and how leftover product is discarded.

Availability can also depend on whether a brand product or another cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion is prescribed. The prescribing clinician will specify the intended product, strength, and directions on the prescription. The table below summarizes the common labeled strength and container types.

Storage and Travel Basics

Storage instructions can differ slightly by presentation, so the carton label should be treated as the primary reference. In general, cyclosporine eye emulsions are kept at controlled room temperature and protected from extreme heat. Avoid freezing. Single-use containers are typically kept in their protective packaging until needed, which helps reduce contamination risk and makes it easier to track remaining doses.

For travel, keep the medicine in a carry-on bag when possible, since checked luggage and parked cars can reach damaging temperatures. It also helps to keep a copy of the prescription label with the product in case a clinician needs to verify details quickly.

Why it matters: Proper storage helps maintain emulsion consistency and reduces avoidable eye irritation.

If a container looks cracked, leaks, or appears unusually separated, set it aside and confirm next steps with a pharmacist before using it.

Side Effects and Safety

Restasis can cause local, short-term effects when the drop first contacts the eye. Commonly reported issues include burning or stinging, redness, watery eyes, and a brief change in vision clarity. These effects may be more noticeable when the ocular surface is already inflamed or when the drop is used alongside other products. Cash-pay access may be available when insurance coverage is limited.

Less common but more serious concerns include significant eye pain, marked swelling, persistent worsening redness, light sensitivity, or vision changes that do not clear. Any signs of an allergic reaction require urgent medical evaluation. People who want a plain-language walkthrough of typical reactions can review Common Side Effects. When symptoms suggest an infection (discharge, crusting, or severe one-sided redness), clinicians usually prefer evaluation before continuing any anti-inflammatory eye therapy.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Restasis has minimal systemic absorption in most people, so medication interactions are usually discussed in terms of local eye products rather than whole-body drug levels. Even so, it is important for prescribers to know about other prescription eye drops, over-the-counter redness relievers, and any topical steroid plans. When multiple drops are used, spacing doses helps reduce washout and makes side effects easier to attribute to a specific product.

Caution is also reasonable for anyone with a history of recurrent eye infections, including herpes simplex of the eye; background reading is available in Ocular Herpes Types. If contact lenses are worn, the label commonly advises removing lenses before use and waiting before reinsertion, because lenses can trap ingredients against the surface. If dryness is accompanied by systemic autoimmune symptoms (dry mouth, joint pain, rash), a clinician may broaden the evaluation rather than treating the eyes in isolation.

Compare With Alternatives

Dry eye care is often layered, combining symptom relief with anti-inflammatory treatment when indicated. Common alternatives include lifitegrast ophthalmic solution and other cyclosporine emulsions at different concentrations. The best fit depends on diagnosis, tolerability, prior response, and whether the goal is lubrication, inflammation control, or both. For additional background reading, see Chronic Dry Eye Relief, which discusses another prescription approach.

Within BorderFreeHealth’s catalog, comparable prescription options may include Xiidra Ophthalmic Solution or Cequa Eye Drops. Some clinicians may also use a short course of a corticosteroid drop for flares, depending on risk factors and monitoring needs; the article Lotemax Vs Alrex explains how steroid options can differ. For a broader, side-by-side discussion of prescription drop categories, Dry Eye Drop Variances is a useful reference.

Pricing and Access

Restasis costs can vary based on the form dispensed, pharmacy channel, and whether insurance coverage applies. For people without insurance, BorderFreeHealth focuses on cash-pay fulfillment pathways rather than insurance billing. Savings options can change over time, and eligibility depends on the program rules; Available Promotions lists current site-wide opportunities when offered.

Orders are supplied by licensed Canadian partner pharmacies serving U.S. patients. Ships from Canada to US once prescription documentation is complete and the dispensing pharmacy confirms product selection. To start, a valid prescription is required, and the pharmacy may contact the prescriber’s office to verify details before dispensing. For ongoing learning about eye medicines and conditions, the Ophthalmology Articles collection can be browsed by topic.

Authoritative Sources

When reviewing any prescription eye drop, the most reliable details come from the official prescribing information and established professional organizations. These sources outline indications, contraindications, administration guidance, and adverse reactions in a standardized format. They are also helpful for clinicians who need to cross-check ingredient sensitivities or confirm container handling requirements for single-use versus multidose packaging.

The links below are provided for neutral reference and should be read alongside individualized advice from a licensed eye-care professional. If there is any mismatch between a secondary summary and the official label, the label should be treated as the controlling source.

• For official U.S. labeling details, see FDA Drug Databases and labeling resources.
• For clinical background on dry eye, see American Academy of Ophthalmology dry eye overview.
• For consumer-friendly drug information, see MedlinePlus cyclosporine ophthalmic information.

To request fulfillment through BorderFreeHealth, submit prescription details; prompt, express shipping is available for eligible addresses.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.