compareCequa vs Restasis

Cequa vs Restasis

Drug facts and comparison

✅
Medically reviewed by  Jamie Winn, PharmD

Uses

To increase tear production in patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye disease)

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  • To increase tear production in patients whose tear production is presumed to be suppressed due to ocular inflammation associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca
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Summary

Brand name: Cequa
Brand name: Restasis
Manufacturer: Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.
Manufacturer: Allergan
Active ingredient: Cyclosporine
Active ingredient: cyclosporine
Indication: To increase tear production in patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye disease)
Indication: To increase tear production in patients whose tear production is presumed to be suppressed due to ocular inflammation associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca

Side Effects

Most common:

  • Instillation site pain
  • Conjunctival hyperemia (inflammation of the conjunctiva)
  • Mild eye pain, redness)
  • Eye irritation, eyelid inflammation (blepharitis)
  • Headache
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Blurred vision

More serious:

  • Severe eye pain, burning, or stinging
  • Swollen eyelids
  • Severe discomfort, crusting, or drainage

Most common

  • Ocular burning sensation
  • Eye redness
  • Discharge, watery eyes
  • Eye pain, foreign body sensation

More serious

  • Eye pain
  • Eye swelling, redness
  • Severe discomfort
  • Crusting or drainage

Drug Interactions

Severe interactions

No severe interactions

Serious interactions
  • Treatments for glaucoma – levobunolol, timolol ophthalmic eye drops
  • Steroid eye drops – dexamethasone, prednisolone
Moderate interactions

No moderate interactions

Severe interactions
  • No severe interactions
Serious interactions
  • Corticosteroid eye drops – dexamethasone, prednisolone
  • Beta-blocker eye drops for increased pressure – betaxolol, levobunolol, timolol
Moderate interactions
  • No moderate interactions

Warnings

You should not take cyclosporine if you:

  • Are allergic to the active ingredient cyclosporine
  • Have had an allergic reaction to any of the other ingredients in Cequa
  • Are younger than 16 years old

You should talk to your doctor before using cyclosporine if you:

  • Are taking any of the medications that could interact with Cequa
  • Are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant
  • Are breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed

You should not use Restasis if you:

  • Are allergic to the active ingredient cyclosporine
  • Are allergic to any of the other ingredients in Restasis

You should talk to your doctor before using Restasis if you:

  • Are taking any of the medications that could interact with Restasis
  • Are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant
  • Are breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed

Dosage

Twice daily

One drop twice a day

Cost

60, Cequa ophthalmic solutions 0.09% will cost around $600

30, Restasis ophthalmic emulsions 0.05% will cost around $330

FAQs

Cequa and Restasis are brand names for eye drops used for the treatment of dry eye syndrome, a disease of the tears and ocular surface that causes dryness, discomfort, visual disturbance, and unstable tear film. Neither are steroid eye drops. Here we will explain how they work, their similarities and differences, their side effects, and more. This should provide you with the basics to better understand your options.

What is Cequa?

Cequa is the first and only FDA-approved cyclosporine treatment delivered with nanomicellar technology, manufactured by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. Cequa ophthalmic solution is a calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant used to increase tear production in patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye disease). With dry eye, the swelling in your eye may be due to an overactive immune system. Cequa can increase tear production that has been reduced by inflammation in the eye(s). The active ingredient of Cequa is cyclosporine. Cyclosporine A suppresses the activation and function of T-lymphocytes, preventing cell death.

Cequa dosage

Cequa is available as cyclosporine ophthalmic solution in preservative-free single-use vials, in the following doses: 0.9 mg/mL.

Instill one drop of Ceqiua twice daily into each eye. Remove contact lenses first. Discard the vial immediately after using it in both eyes. To avoid eye injury and contamination, do not touch the vial tip to the eye or other surfaces. Wait at least 15 minutes before re-inserting contact lenses or using artificial tears.

Please see the full prescribing information and always speak with a healthcare professional for medical advice or about any changes to your dose so they can monitor and evaluate your condition.

What is Restasis?

Restasis is an FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved medication manufactured by Allergan, Inc. Restasis eye drops are used to treat chronic dry eye disease that may be caused by inflammation. It is a topical immunomodulator indicated to increase tear production in patients whose tear production is presumed to be suppressed due to ocular inflammation associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Increased tear production was not seen in patients currently taking topical anti-inflammatory drugs or using punctual plugs.

The active ingredient of Restasis is cyclosporine. This substance belongs to a class of drugs that suppress the immune system, leading to an increase in natural tears.

Restasis dosage

Restasis is available as an ophthalmic emulsion formulation, containing cyclosporine 0.5mg/mL. It comes in two forms: single-use vials and Restasis multidose.

Instill one drop of the ophthalmic emulsion twice a day in each eye, every 12 hours. The single-use vial has to be thrown away after you use it as the vials don’t contain any preservatives in it.

Wait at least 15 minutes before using artificial tears, or any other eye drops. Do not touch the dropper on any surface, including the eyes or hands. The dropper is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an eye infection. Also, to avoid potential eye injury and contamination, be careful not to touch the vial tip to your eye.

Do not use this medicine while wearing contact lenses. Contact lenses may be reinserted 15 minutes following the administration of Restasis eye drops. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Always speak with your optometrist for medical advice or about any changes to your dose so they can monitor and evaluate your condition.

Common side effects of Cequa and Restasis

The most common side effects of Cequa in clinical trials include:

  • Instillation site pain
  • Conjunctival hyperemia (inflammation of the conjunctiva)
  • Mild eye pain, redness)
  • Eye irritation, eyelid inflammation (blepharitis)
  • Headache
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Blurred vision

More serious side effects of Cequa include:

  • Severe eye pain, burning, or stinging
  • Swollen eyelids
  • Severe discomfort, crusting, or drainage

The most common side effects of Restasis in clinical trials include:

  • Ocular burning sensation
  • Eye redness
  • Itchy eyes
  • Discharge, watery eyes
  • Blurry vision
  • Eye pain, foreign body sensation

These aren’t all the adverse effects Cequa or Restasis can cause. You can find more details in the patient leaflet that comes with your medication. Talk to your physician or pharmacist if you have any concerns about side effects.

Cequa and Restasis drug interactions

There is currently no data available for Cequa or Restasis interactions with other medications. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including other eye medications, prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Cequa and Restasis contraindications

You should not use Cequa if you:

  • Are allergic to the active ingredient cyclosporine
  • Have had an allergic reaction to any of the other ingredients in Cequa
  • Are younger than 16 years old

Talk to your doctor before using Cequa if you:

  • Are taking any of the medications that could interact with Cequa
  • Are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant
  • Are breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed

You should not use Restasis if you:

  • Are allergic to the active ingredient cyclosporine
  • Are allergic to any of the other ingredients in Restasis

Talk to your doctor before using Restasis if you:

  • Are taking any of the medications that could interact with Restasis
  • Are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant
  • Are breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed

Other treatments for dry eye syndrome

If you have any concerns about Cequa or Restasis side effects, talk to your physician, or pharmacist for medical advice. Also inform your healthcare provider about any medical conditions, supplements, and over-the-counter meds you are taking. You are also encouraged to report side effects to the FDA: visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

The content on this website is intended for information purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. The information on this website should not be relied upon and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always speak to your doctor regarding the risks and benefits of any treatment.
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