Cyclosporine ophthalmic is used to treat chronic dry eye that may be caused by inflammation.

Cyclosporine ophthalmic may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Use the medicine about every 12 hours. Remove contact lenses first.

Wash your hands before using eye medication.

To apply the eye drops: Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the dropper above the eye and squeeze a drop into this pocket. Close your eyes for 1 or 2 minutes.

Turn the Restasis bottle upside down a few times to gently mix the medicine before each use.

Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed.

Wait at least 15 minutes before inserting contact lenses or using artificial tears.

Do not touch the tip of the eye dropper or place it directly on your eye. A contaminated dropper can infect your eye, which could lead to serious vision problems.

Cequa eye drops should be clear and colorless. Restasis eye drops should appear white in color.

Each single-use bottle is for one use only (in both eyes). Throw the bottle away after one use, even if there is still medicine left inside.

Store at room temperature. Store Cequa single-use vials in their original foil pouch.

Usual Adult Dose for Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca:

1 drop 2 times a day in each eye approximately 12 hours apart

Comments:
-This drug can be used concomitantly with artificial tears, allowing a 15 minute interval between products.

Use: To increase tear production in patients whose tear production is presumed to be suppressed due to ocular inflammation associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca

You should not use cyclosporine ophthalmic if you are allergic to cyclosporine.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

An overdose of cyclosporine ophthalmic is not expected to be dangerous. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Discard each single-use vial after one use in a place that is out of reach of children and pets.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

It may be best not to wear contact lenses if you have dry eyes. Talk with your doctor about your own risk.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Cyclosporine ophthalmic may cause serious side effects. Stop using cyclosporine ophthalmic and call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe eye pain, burning, or stinging after putting in the drops;

• swollen eyelids; or

• signs of eye infection--swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting or drainage.

Common side effects of cyclosporine ophthalmic may include:

• mild eye pain, redness, or other irritation;

• watery eyes;

• blurred vision; or

• feeling like something is in your eye.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Medicine used in the eyes is not likely to be affected by other drugs you use. But many drugs can interact. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.