Cyclosporine ophthalmic and Headaches: What Users Say

• Sum...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 21, 2020

For Dry Eye Disease "Just started using Cequa about 1 week ago. My doctor told me to expect burning, which I have, especially at night. I had begun to notice less or no burning in the morning, which did not surprise me. I thought my eyes were closed and less subject to drying. I also noticed the closer I kept to the 12 hours between drops, the less burning, tearing, and running nose I experienced. Also, I have noticed every application I have a slight headache over my left eye. Nothing really painful and doesn’t last very long... maybe 15 minutes. After the burning and excessive tearing stops, my vision is very comfortable all day. There is more burning at night, but again, I think that is from my eyes being open and more subject to drying. I have to say I don’t like putting something in my eyes that makes them burn and water. I have samples to try, so the vote is still out on long-term use."

• Mol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 17, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "I was given this for dry eye from LASIK surgery. I had a bad reaction to using Cequa that got worse the more I used it. Headaches, foggy head, my ears felt water-clogged, itchy eyes, sandy feeling in eyes, difficulty breathing through my nose and some puffiness, and increased fatigue. I tried taking it once a day instead of twice a day, and the side effects decreased but still remained and got worse whenever I tried to take it twice a day as directed. I would wake up in the night uncomfortable and unable to fall back asleep. Getting reimbursed by the company was also frustrating. I had to call repeatedly before finally getting through to someone who could guide me through getting reimbursed for the three-month supply I was not able to use."

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

For Dry Eye Disease "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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2022

For Dry Eye Disease "I was prescribed Restasis for my dry eye condition, and I'm oddly relieved that people have shared their negative experience of its usage. I thought these side effects I was having were from something else, the nausea and headaches, and it so happens to be the day after I apply the eye drops. Very uncomfortable side effects, and I did not see that much of an improvement in my condition."

• BMW...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 6, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "One of the most horrible experiences I have ever had with a medication. Started taking it for dry eye. Dark urine, burning urination, body aches, chills, painful cough, very sore throat, sore soft palate, sore stuffy runny nose, ear pain, headache, sneezing, hard to breathe, tired and weak, burning gritty eyes, tongue swollen and painful, tip of tongue numb and a painful sore inside my lip. Went to the doctor. Doc said pan-sinusitis and bronchitis. Started amoxicillin and just happened to stop Restasis because I was so sick I just wanted to sleep without burning eyes. Thought I could tolerate it after getting better. Got better in two days. Thought it was the amoxicillin. Started the Restasis again and everything came back. NOT PAN-SINUSITIS AND BRONCHITIS. RESTASIS. NEVER AGAIN. Don’t do it. Look up the side effects before taking. You do not want to feel like this. Never again. There is a lawsuit coming I am sure."

• Pip...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2024

For Dry Eye Disease "One drop per eye, 12 hr apart. Easy to use. Initial combination with low steroid drops four times a day for the first month that I’ve had before for allergies. Only a few days in and the first day seemed great. Game changer. I’ve started to get blurry vision and it does sting/burn. I am also getting some headaches, which I don’t know if they’re connected. Will check back in with the optometrist."

• LJM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 21, 2025

For Dry Eye Disease "I immediately experienced headaches, eye irritation, some burning after applied. It does help to refrigerate drops. Feels good on my eye."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 13, 2025

For Dry Eye Disease "Headaches, headaches, headaches. I'm done with this overpriced eye drops. Have had a headache for 2 months. I stopped the drops and headache gone."