Why is this medication
prescribed?
Cyclosporine
ophthalmic is used to increase tear production in people with dry eye
disease. Cyclosporine ophthalmic is in a class of medications called
immunomodulators. It works by decreasing swelling in the eye to allow
for tear production.
How should this medicine be
used?
Cyclosporine
ophthalmic comes as an emulsion (liquid) to apply to the eye. It is
usually applied to each eye twice a day, about 12 hours apart. To help
you remember to use cyclosporine eyedrops, apply them around the same
times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label
carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do
not understand. Use cyclosporine eyedrops exactly as directed. Do not
use more or less of them or use them more often than prescribed by your
doctor.
Cyclosporine
eyedrops are for use only in the eye(s). Do not swallow or apply
cyclosporine eyedrops to the skin.
Cyclosporine
eyedrops come in single-use vials (small bottles to be used for one
dose). The liquid from one vial should be used immediately after
opening for one or both eyes.
To
apply the eyedrops, follow these steps:
- Wash your hands thoroughly
with soap and water.
- Turn over the vial a few
times until the liquid inside looks white and not see-through.
- Open the vial.
- Use a mirror or have someone
else put the drops in your eye.
- Avoid touching the dropper
against your eye or anything else.
- Hold the dropper tip down at
all times to prevent drops from flowing back into the bottle and
contaminating the remaining contents.
- Lie down or tilt your head
back.
- Holding the bottle between
your thumb and index finger, place the dropper as near as possible to
your eyelid without touching it.
- Brace the remaining fingers
of that hand against your cheek or nose.
- With the index finger of
your other hand, pull the lower lid of the eye down to form a pocket.
- Drop the prescribed number
of drops into the pocket made by the lower lid and the eye. Placing the
drops on the surface of the eyeball can cause stinging.
- Close your eye and press
lightly against the lower lid with your finger for 2-3 minutes to keep
the medication in the eye. Do not blink.
- If you are using the
eyedrops for both eyes, repeat steps 7-11 for the other eye.
- Wipe off any excess liquid
from your cheek with a clean tissue.
- Throw away the vial out of
the reach of children even if it is not empty.
- Wash your hands again.
Other uses for this medicine
This
medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or
pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions
should I follow?
Before
using cyclosporine eyedrops,
- tell your doctor and
pharmacist if you are allergic to cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) or
any other medications.
- tell your doctor and
pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins,
nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to
mention other eyedrops for dry eye disease.
- if you are using artificial
tears, apply them at least 15 minutes before or after cyclosporine
eyedrops.
- tell your doctor if you have
an eye infection, if you have a punctal plug (stopper inserted by a
doctor in a tear duct to keep tears in the eye), and if you have or
have ever had a herpes infection of the eye.
- tell your doctor if you are
pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become
pregnant while using cyclosporine eyedrops, call your doctor.
- you should know that
cyclosporine eyedrops should not be applied while wearing contact
lenses. If you wear contact lenses, remove them before applying
cyclosporine eyedrops and put them back in 15 minutes later. Talk to
your doctor about wearing contact lenses if you have dry eye disease.
What special dietary
instructions should I follow?
Unless
your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What should I do if I forget a
dose?
Apply
the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost
time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular
dosing schedule. Do not apply a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this
medication cause?
Cyclosporine
eyedrops may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these
symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- burning, itching, stinging,
redness, or pain of the eyes
- overflow of tears
- red eyes
- eye discharge
- blurred vision or other
vision changes
- feeling that something is in
the eye
Cyclosporine
eyedrops may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any
unusual problems while taking this medication.
What storage conditions are
needed for this medicine?
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). Throw away each vial after one
use. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.
Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
What other information should
I know?
Keep
all appointments with your doctor.
Do not
let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions
you have about refilling your prescription.
