How is Restasis different from artificial tears?

Artificial tears lubricate the eye surface for short-term comfort. Restasis contains cyclosporine, which helps reduce inflammation that can hinder natural tear production. Many patients keep using lubricants while starting therapy, but they serve different purposes. If you use both, separate products by at least 15 minutes and place lubricants last unless your prescriber advises otherwise.

Can I use these eye drops with contact lenses?

Do not apply the emulsion while wearing contact lenses. Remove your lenses, instill one drop in each affected eye, then wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting. This helps reduce lens absorption of the medicine and improves comfort. If you use lubricants compatible with lenses, follow label directions and your clinician’s advice about timing and lens care.

What if I do not notice improvement right away?

This therapy works by calming inflammation. Comfort changes tend to be gradual, and consistency matters. Keep using the drops as directed unless your prescriber tells you to stop. Your clinician may also adjust other parts of your regimen, like adding lubricants or addressing environmental triggers. Book follow-ups so your response can be reviewed and your plan fine-tuned.

How do I use single-use vials correctly?

Wash your hands, then open one vial and avoid touching the tip. Instill one drop in each affected eye, discarding any remaining liquid afterward. Keep unused vials in the foil pouch until needed, away from excessive heat. If your prescriber chose a multi-dose bottle instead, recap tightly after use and follow the same spacing rules with other eye medications.

Are there common side effects to expect?

Temporary burning or stinging after instillation is common and usually brief. You might notice mild redness, watery eyes, or short-term blurred vision. These effects often lessen with consistent use. If you experience severe pain, significant vision changes, or signs of infection, contact your prescriber promptly for advice on next steps.

How should I store the medication, especially for travel?

Keep the product at room temperature, protected from excessive heat and light. Store single-use vials in the original pouch until needed. When traveling, carry it in your hand luggage with your prescription label visible. Avoid leaving it in hot cars. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not freeze the emulsion.

Is a prescription required for this medicine?

Yes. A prescription is generally required because a clinician should confirm that inflammation contributes to your dry eye and that this treatment is appropriate for you. Your pharmacy team will verify the prescription before dispensing and can coordinate with your prescriber if any details need clarification.

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Restasis

Restasis® Ophthalmic Emulsion for Dry Eye

Dry Eye

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This medicine helps increase your natural tear production in chronic dry eye. Restasis® is a prescription ophthalmic emulsion used when inflammation reduces tear flow. You can order with US delivery from Canada, and you can also review expected costs without insurance before you place your request.

What Restasis Is and How It Works

Restasis® contains cyclosporine, an immunomodulator. It helps reduce ocular surface inflammation, which can allow the lacrimal glands to make more tears over time. The treatment is not an artificial tear; it supports your own tear production. Effects build with steady, twice-daily use. Results vary by patient and condition severity.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy in Manitoba. Pharmacists review prescriptions before dispensing.

This ophthalmic emulsion is for topical eye use only. It is a milky, preservative-free emulsion designed for comfort. If you also use artificial tears or other eye drops, separate products by at least 15 minutes. Use lubricants last unless your prescriber advises otherwise.

Who It’s For

This therapy is indicated to increase tear production in adults with keratoconjunctivitis sicca, where inflammation contributes to dry eye. It may also be considered in patients with chronic symptoms not controlled by lubricants alone. People with a known allergy to cyclosporine or any component should avoid it. Do not use it while wearing contact lenses. Remove lenses before dosing and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting.

Tell your healthcare professional about recent eye infections, eye surgeries, or trauma. If you have an active ocular infection, treatment may be deferred until it resolves. Safety in pediatric patients is not well established; follow your prescriber’s guidance.

Dosage and Usage

The usual schedule is one drop in each affected eye twice daily, roughly 12 hours apart. Wash your hands, gently shake or invert the vial or bottle to mix the emulsion, and avoid touching the tip. Tilt your head back, pull down the lower lid, and instill one drop into the pocket without touching the eye. Close your eyes gently for a moment to spread the emulsion. Wipe away excess fluid from the skin.

Single-use vials are intended for immediate use after opening. Discard any remaining liquid to maintain sterility. If you are prescribed the multi-dose bottle, recap tightly after each use. If your clinician has you on multiple eye medicines, separate them by at least 15 minutes to limit washout. Follow the official label or your prescriber’s directions when uncertain.

Strengths and Forms

Common presentations include cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.05. Availability can include single-use vials and a preservative-free multi-dose bottle. The exact pack size, brand packaging, and supply may vary by manufacturer and market. Your prescriber will choose the format that fits your routine and dexterity needs.

Missed Dose and Timing

If you miss a dose, apply it when you remember. Then return to your regular twice-daily schedule. If it is close to your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume as planned. Do not use two doses at once in the same eye.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store this medicine at room temperature away from excessive heat and light. Keep all vials in the original foil pouch until needed to protect from air and light exposure. Do not freeze. Keep out of reach of children and pets. When traveling, carry your medication in your hand luggage with a copy of your prescription. Keep vials or the bottle upright when possible and avoid leaving it in a hot car. For airport security, retain original labels to show your name and prescription details.

Benefits

This treatment supports the body’s tear-making response rather than masking symptoms. It can reduce burning, stinging, and foreign-body sensation associated with inflammation. For some, steadier tear volume may improve comfort with reading and screen time. While results vary, consistent use is key to seeing benefit. Some people discuss restasis eye drops with their prescriber when lubricants alone are not enough.

Side Effects and Safety

Temporary burning or stinging after instillation
Eye redness or irritation
Blurred vision immediately after dosing
Watery eyes or discharge
Feeling like something is in the eye

Serious reactions are uncommon but can include hypersensitivity reactions. If you develop signs of an eye infection, severe pain, or significant vision changes, contact your prescriber promptly. Use proper hygiene to reduce contamination risk. Because vision may blur briefly after dosing, avoid driving or operating machinery until your sight clears.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Topical eye medicines may dilute each other if used too close together. Separate products by at least 15 minutes. If you use punctal plugs or have had recent ocular surgery, confirm dosing order with your clinician. Do not use with contact lenses in your eyes; remove them before dosing. Tell your prescriber about all other medicines you use, including OTC lubricants and allergy drops.

What to Expect Over Time

Inflammation-driven dry eye often requires steady, long-term management. You may notice comfort changes gradually, as the ocular surface responds to reduced inflammation. Lubricants may still be part of your routine even after starting this therapy. Keep using the emulsion as prescribed unless your clinician advises changes. If goals are not met after a fair trial, your prescriber may adjust your regimen or suggest an alternative.

Compare With Alternatives

Other prescription options for dry eye include lifitegrast drops such as Xiidra® Ophthalmic Solution, which targets a different inflammatory pathway, and higher-strength cyclosporine solutions such as Cequa®. Your prescriber will weigh your symptom pattern, contact lens use, ocular surface findings, and response history when choosing among options.

Pricing and Access

Canadian-sourced products can offer value with US delivery from Canada. Check our current restasis eye drops price on the product page to compare options. You can also see the restasis cost without insurance display before checkout. If a coupon is available, we list it on our Promotions page. Final pricing depends on pack size, brand or generic selection, and your prescriber’s directions.

We provide clear pricing, taxes at checkout, and secure payment with encrypted checkout. If you have questions about availability or pack sizes, our pharmacy team can help explain the differences so you can decide with your prescriber.

Availability and Substitutions

This item typically requires a valid restasis prescription from your clinician. If a specific presentation is unavailable, a prescriber may recommend a therapeutically appropriate alternative. Generic cyclosporine 0.05% ophthalmic emulsion may be an option based on clinical judgment and local stock. We cannot promise restock dates, but we can advise on comparable formats and how they are used.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Good candidates are adults with chronic inflammatory dry eye who can apply drops consistently and follow hygiene steps. People with active eye infections, known cyclosporine allergy, or recent eye surgery should consult their clinician before starting. If you wear contact lenses, build removal and reinsertion into your schedule and use preservative-free lubricants as directed.

To help manage costs, consider multi-month fills if your prescriber agrees, as fewer fulfilments can lower overall fees. Set calendar reminders so you do not run out. Review whether generic cyclosporine is appropriate for your case. Read about dry eye basics in our Dry Eye category and explore broader eye care topics under Ophthalmology. For wellness context, see Healthy Vision Month and Children’s Eye Health. If you are weighing brand and generic choices, this overview may help: Generics vs Brand Names. For patients with overlapping allergy symptoms, see Seasonal Allergies FAQ.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

Dosing plan basics: How should I time this with my other eye drops?
Lens routine: When should I remove and reinsert contact lenses?
Comfort support: Which lubricants pair best with this therapy?
Response checks: What signs suggest it is helping my ocular surface?
Sensitivity risks: What symptoms mean I should stop and call you?
Alternatives: If this is not suitable, which options would you consider next?

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View All FAQs

How is Restasis different from artificial tears?
Artificial tears lubricate the eye surface for short-term comfort. Restasis contains cyclosporine, which helps reduce inflammation that can hinder natural tear production. Many patients keep using lubricants while starting therapy, but they serve different purposes. If you use both, separate products by at least 15 minutes and place lubricants last unless your prescriber advises otherwise.
Can I use these eye drops with contact lenses?
Do not apply the emulsion while wearing contact lenses. Remove your lenses, instill one drop in each affected eye, then wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting. This helps reduce lens absorption of the medicine and improves comfort. If you use lubricants compatible with lenses, follow label directions and your clinician’s advice about timing and lens care.
What if I do not notice improvement right away?
This therapy works by calming inflammation. Comfort changes tend to be gradual, and consistency matters. Keep using the drops as directed unless your prescriber tells you to stop. Your clinician may also adjust other parts of your regimen, like adding lubricants or addressing environmental triggers. Book follow-ups so your response can be reviewed and your plan fine-tuned.
How do I use single-use vials correctly?
Wash your hands, then open one vial and avoid touching the tip. Instill one drop in each affected eye, discarding any remaining liquid afterward. Keep unused vials in the foil pouch until needed, away from excessive heat. If your prescriber chose a multi-dose bottle instead, recap tightly after use and follow the same spacing rules with other eye medications.
Are there common side effects to expect?
Temporary burning or stinging after instillation is common and usually brief. You might notice mild redness, watery eyes, or short-term blurred vision. These effects often lessen with consistent use. If you experience severe pain, significant vision changes, or signs of infection, contact your prescriber promptly for advice on next steps.
How should I store the medication, especially for travel?
Keep the product at room temperature, protected from excessive heat and light. Store single-use vials in the original pouch until needed. When traveling, carry it in your hand luggage with your prescription label visible. Avoid leaving it in hot cars. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not freeze the emulsion.
Is a prescription required for this medicine?
Yes. A prescription is generally required because a clinician should confirm that inflammation contributes to your dry eye and that this treatment is appropriate for you. Your pharmacy team will verify the prescription before dispensing and can coordinate with your prescriber if any details need clarification.