Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive agent. Cyclosporine ophthalmic may reduce
inflammation in the eye(s).
Cyclosporine ophthalmic is used to treat chronic dry eye that may be caused by inflammation.
Cyclosporine ophthalmic may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking cyclosporine ophthalmic?
Do not use cyclosporine ophthalmic if you have any type of infection in the eye(s).
Cyclosporine ophthalmic is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not
known whether it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use cyclosporine ophthalmic without first
talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether cyclosporine ophthalmic passes into breast milk. Do not use
cyclosporine ophthalmic without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take cyclosporine ophthalmic?
Use cyclosporine ophthalmic eye drops exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not
understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Wash your hands before using the eye drops.
To apply the eye drops:
Gently turn the bottle upside down a few times to obtain a
uniformly white mixture in the bottle. Tilt your head back slightly and pull down on your lower
eyelid. Position the dropper above your eye. Look up and away from the dropper. Squeeze out a
drop and close your eye. Repeat the process in the other eye if directed.
Use cyclosporine ophthalmic twice a day, approximately
every 12 hours, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Use each bottle for one dose only (one or both eyes). Throw
away any remaining medication.
Artificial tears may be used during treatment with
cyclosporine ophthalmic. Allow a 15 minute interval between application of the two products.
Do not touch the dropper to any surface, including the eyes or hands.
The dropper is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in the eye(s).
Do not use cyclosporine ophthalmic while wearing contact lenses. Contact lenses may be
reinserted 15 minutes following administration of cyclosporine ophthalmic, unless otherwise directed by
your doctor.
Store cyclosporine ophthalmic at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep
the bottle properly capped.
What happens if I miss a dose of cyclosporine ophthalmic?
Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next
regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and apply the next one as directed.
Do not
use a double dose of the medication.
Where can I get more information about cyclosporine ophthalmic?
Your pharmacist has information about cyclosporine ophthalmic written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of cyclosporine ophthalmic?
Serious side effects are not expected to occur during treatment with this medication.
Eye burning, redness, tearing, discharge, pain, itching, stinging, or visual blurring may occur.
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.
What is the most important information I should know about cyclosporine ophthalmic?
Do not touch the dropper to any surface, including the eyes or hands. The dropper is
sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in the eye(s).
Do not use cyclosporine ophthalmic while wearing contact lenses. Contact lenses may be
reinserted 15 minutes following administration of cyclosporine ophthalmic, unless otherwise directed by
your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking cyclosporine ophthalmic?
Do not use cyclosporine ophthalmic while wearing contact lenses. Contact lenses may be
reinserted 15 minutes following administration of cyclosporine ophthalmic, unless otherwise directed by
your doctor.
Artificial tears may be used during treatment with cyclosporine ophthalmic. Allow a 15
minute interval between application of the two products. Do not use other eye drops or medications
during treatment with cyclosporine ophthalmic unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
What other drugs will affect cyclosporine ophthalmic?
Do not use other eye drops or medications during treatment with cyclosporine ophthalmic
unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Artificial tears may be used during treatment with cyclosporine ophthalmic. Allow a 15 minute
interval between application of the two products.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with cyclosporine ophthalmic. Talk to your
doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal
products.
What happens if I have an overdose of cyclosporine ophthalmic?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009