Cyclosporine ophthalmic for Dry Eye Disease User Reviews (Page 3)

• lov...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2018

"I have chronic dry eyes, and my eye doctor recommended using Restasis to help with the condition. Upon receiving my prescription, I was told it cost $512.00!!! I said, what in the world, and why is this product so outrageously expensive? I said, no, I cannot afford that price. My pharmacist went on his computer and looked for a coupon. He came back and said it went down to $107.00. But still, for the tiny bottle where there is barely enough drops for a couple of weeks, plus the drops take forever to come out and sometimes land on your face, which is a waste of $$$$!!! Allergan is making big bucks on this product, they need to be investigated, but then again, pharmaceutical companies own the legislation in this country. Most of us seniors with this chronic condition do not have excess $$$ to spend on this product. Good for those wealthy people who can afford this product, but what about the other 90% of the population that cannot afford this but need it? Answer? Greed."

• Anonymous
• January 28, 2020

"My mom has been using Restasis for over 12 years. She is now 104 and found out it would cost her $275 for a one-month supply. I do not even think it helps her. I use over-the-counter eye drops, Genteal, on her often, and they help more and are much, much more affordable. If you are not a wealthy person, try those."

• Liz...
• August 22, 2020

"I started Cequa for dry eyes, and it seems to help tremendously, but I am noticing vision changes where it’s hard to see up close and at night. I never had an issue before. I’m going to stop the drops and tell my ophthalmologist."

• Sjo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 12, 2023

"Oh my god, this stuff is incredible. I was diagnosed with Sjogren's two years ago, and I have severe aqueous-deficient dry eye. I used Restasis since diagnosis without any luck. I wasn't even done with the second sample pack of Cequa my doctor gave me before my eyes were completely healed. Like, oodles of tears. Reflex tears, the whole shebang. It's like I never had dry eyes. No more gross mucus strings in my eyes. I haven't been able to produce tears since I was diagnosed. I spent $500 on punctal plugs this year, and I have to have them taken out! But no complaints since my eyes are back to normal! I wonder if so many people struggle with this because they have evaporative dry eye disease; maybe it doesn't work as well for that, but that's what most people have. Aqueous-deficient dry eye disease is less common."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2015

"I have been using Restasis for 5 months and two weeks and have finally felt a huge improvement, so don't give up. There is no burning in my eyes, and I don't feel like I have something scraping them anymore. My doctor also recommended Lacrisert to help till the Restasis kicked in. Have only used it for about 2 weeks but did get some relief with the Lacrisert. All these medicines are expensive, but I use one vial of Restasis for both eyes am and pm. This makes it last longer. Also, I don't need a Lacrisert in one eye, so that lasts longer. Lacrisert is difficult to get in, but keep trying, you'll get the hang of it. Don't give up. Huge relief. Thank the good Lord for medicine."

• Dba...
• November 18, 2015

"Unfortunately, I was unable to effectively try this product. I experienced severe burning in my eyes following application. I contacted Allergan (manufacturer of Restasis) immediately with my side effects, and they offered a complete refund. Thrilled that I was able to recoup my money, as this was a VERY expensive prescription ($1400/cash... 3-month supply). I am impressed with their support and willingness to refund."

• Dot...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2021

"I have dry eyes for many years, but the last 5 have been the worse. Burning and blurry eyes. I started the Cequa treatment 3 months ago, what an amazing difference. I use a lot fewer eye drops, no more burning eyes, and my vision is clear. But now I changed jobs, and my insurance does not cover this very expensive medication."

• CMG...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2023

"I have been using Cequa 2 times a day for about 4 weeks now. It took 2 full weeks before I noticed good results. I had constant tearing prior to using and this has now resolved. I haven't noticed the burning that so many others seem to complain about. I still have some cloudiness (that is better, too), but that seems to resolve by using Systane drops occasionally during the day. I also use a gel drop in each eye at night. This may seem like a lot of eye drops throughout the day, but it is much more preferable than dealing with the constant tearing. The downside is that Medicare does not cover it. I am finishing up the samples my doctor gave me and have ordered from Canada - much, much cheaper there."

• Ros...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2020

"My eye doctor prescribed Restasis for my severe dry eyes due to Sjögren's disease. I share the opinion that the multi-use container is a disaster, the rigid bottle either delivers no drops at all or too much, which leaks out of your eyes onto your face. After only two weeks' use, the bottle feels almost empty, very distressing given the high cost of this product."

• cpi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2023

"Eye twitching - I'm skeptical, especially after reading all the reviews. I can get past the burning, as it's not too bad. It feels like I have a film of medicine or chemical on my eyes. I'm only on 1 week but just noticed my left eye twitching. I searched reviews to see if anyone else has had eye twitching. I see it mentioned in the comments above, but it doesn't mention anywhere in the side effects. So beware of eye twitching, only in the left eye so far. The tugging drives me nuts for two days now. Not sure if I will keep on this medication. I'll be calling my doctor. My co-pay was $89. I get like 6 uses from one vial, so the price is not a concern."

• Mel...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 8, 2018

"Used single-use vials of Restasis for years and was switched to multi-dose bottles 7 months ago. Terrible design for the new multi-dose option. The drops take a long time to dispense the one drop per eye, but I got used to it. However, the last two bottles didn't dispense the drops correctly at all. After waiting and waiting for the drops to dispense, several would come out at once. I went through 2 bottles in 4 weeks and now have to make do with over-the-counter drops until it's time for my next refill. Will now have to go back to single-use vials and pay way too much because of this ridiculous design/flaw in the product."

• soo...
• September 4, 2017

"I have been using Restasis single dose for many years, and it has helped me immensely with my chronic dry eye. However, I recently tried the multidose Restasis, and the dispensing bottle is a complete failure. I have wasted so many drops because they do not come out of the bottle. You have to squeeze and wait according to the manufacturer. However, this method does not work. How can you hold your eye open, waiting 30 seconds for the drop? I will never use the multidose again. I feel the company should reimburse customers for this very expensive product."

• lha...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 4, 2018

"I have been on the Restasis in vials for about 6 years. I never had any problems at all. About a week ago, I received my 90-day supply, and it was 3 bottles. I checked into why now bottles, and the bottles are preservative-free. I started using the bottles, and I agree with everyone that the bottle 'STINKS' even though the product is supposed to be better for your eye. I have had no issues with my eyes when using the vials, so when these bottles are finished, I will be requesting the vials (they are still available). If you are on Medicare, as I am, and in the 'donut hole,' this will cost about $500 a month... TOO expensive to use and waste! This drug drove me into the donut hole. I was in the rewards program before getting on Medicare, and it cost me $90 for a 3-month supply. Why can't seniors get HELP! This is ridiculous! Users need help with this drug."

• Gra...
• August 30, 2015

"One of the things that I'm reading here is that people use Restasis and steroids together. You can't use Restasis at the same time you use steroids, that is a big mistake, your eyes are going to get worse. Using Restasis for 4 months, and I feel great."

• Ann...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 27, 2019

"The new multidose packaging is a disaster. The first bottle would hardly drop at all, and the next one comes out whenever it pleases. I have used it for many years in the vial, but will not buy again if it's only available in multidose. I'm not sure what benefit I'm getting since my eyes are still extremely dry. The medication is too expensive to be so aggravating."

• MJa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 20, 2019

"I hate the bottle the new Restasis MultiDose eye drops come in. I was excited that I wouldn’t have to keep it in the refrigerator, like I did with the small vials. But the new bottle had a horrible design. I have used almost every eye drop known to man... and ALL those bottles, large or small, are vastly better than the Restasis MultiDose one. The medicine itself is good. But the company totally fouled up with the container."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2022

"I do not like Cequa. Many people may think this is odd since it’s an eye drop, but it’s worsened my tachycardia, and I have difficulty urinating in the morning. The pain and burning in my eyes is so bad with the use of this, and it hasn’t gotten better. I am not using it anymore - not worth how expensive it is."

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2021

"I developed bizarre seizures from this medication. Any intense emotion, such as laughing, enjoying food, or getting angry, would result in a 'hiccup' of sorts where my head would reset, and I would feel nothing. It felt similar to a brain zap from psychiatric med withdrawal, but even worse. And yes, this also impacted sexual function. Imagine not being able to enjoy anything or feel any significant emotion in any way. This particular side effect continued for about 4 months after stopping the medication. I was terrified it wouldn't, and it made me suicidal. Oh, and there was no relief from dry eye, either."

• Sus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 26, 2017

"I was diagnosed with extreme dry eye, in part due to past Lasix surgery, part occupational hazard, and part age-related. My doctor put me on Restasis. It turns out I am allergic. I had none of the eye pain others described. But, my vision was very blurry, impeding my ability to read and focus starting day 1. I increased my fluid intake, thinking dehydration. I had a 'light' headache, sinus and throat issues getting progressively worse, and I would suddenly lose my voice and experience dizziness. My blood pressure was elevated. My face became red and itchy. After feeling abnormalities in the blood flow around my heart, I stopped the Restasis. This all happened in 4 days. Most of the symptoms left 48 hours after stopping. Restasis is not for everyone."

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2025

"Excellent drops. These drops help me with my eye dry disease, and my insurance does not cover this medication. And the pharmacy asked me for $600.00. I called my insurance and nothing. The first bottle was an example. Now my eyes are bothering me again."

• Anonymous
• February 2, 2025

"Very difficult to get drops out of the bottle. Droplet size was not consistent. Used product two months. Second month bought a $20 dropper cap to attempt to regulate droplet size. Did not make much difference. Bottle did not last 20 days. Too expensive even with coupon. Wish product was in daily squeezable ampules for individual daily use. I did like the product. No burning or irritation when put into my dry eyes."

• KMS...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 11, 2021

"I was using Restasis for a year, and it was great. Expensive, but it worked. Retired and went to husband's insurance, which wouldn’t cover it. Was prescribed Cequa and have been using it for 8 months, and it’s not working for me. So disappointed. Eyes burn and are red again. Very little relief. Back to using artificial tears again in between Cequa applications. Wish I could get back to Restasis again."

• cut...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 29, 2018

"I have used Restasis for many years with success, but was very disappointed when I attempted to use the new bottles. Even after following the instructions, it is extremely difficult to get the drop out and into the eye. After voicing my concerns to the insurance company, I was sent a gratis bottle, which worked the same as the others. In addition, the product is very expensive. I recommend this product be taken off the market and the vials be used to fill prescriptions."

• Max...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 7, 2021

"I have been using Restasis for 2.5 years. Yes, it burned at first for the first month, but it got so much better after that. About 2 months ago, I noticed that the drops were not as effective as they once were. Went to an ophthalmologist, and he prescribed me a steroid for 2 weeks — that helped tremendously, but then after that, to use Cequa. A higher dose of the active ingredient in Restasis. My eyes burned so bad. Much worse than they ever did. I went back to Restasis, burning continued. Worse than I’ve ever had. I want to rip my eyes out. So, I haven’t used anything in a couple of weeks but the TheraTears, and I’m better but not 100%. The doctor has suspected Sjögren’s syndrome, but they don’t know for sure if that’s my problem."

• Mis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 12, 2015

"I have been using this for approximately 2 years now, and I am very worried that it has made my eyes MUCH worse. I have just gotten done reading the other reviews, and I am the complete opposite of these others. Therefore, I read the list of possible but not likely side effects, and I am experiencing each and every one of these symptoms every time I use this medicine. Today, I used my Restasis and then went venturing with my family for a few hours, and my right eye began to secrete the yellowish thick fluid and burn worse than ever before. It also started to swell at the far corner of my eye. I went to the local emergency room, where I was informed that I have conjunctivitis in my right eye and now have to use antibiotics and pain meds."