Restasis Eye Drops (Cyclosporine Ophthalmic Emulsion)
Restasis is sterile and preservative free cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion with a concentration of 0.05%.It is a topical immunosuppressant which has anti-inflammatory effects. It is white opaque to slightly translucent homogeneous emulsion and cyclosporine is a fine white powder.
Mechanism of Action of Restasis Eye Drops
Cyclosporine Eye drops is a metabolite or a product of fungus. It is isolated from Tolypocladium inflatum Gams and cylindrocarpon lucidum Booth.This fungal product was found to have potent immunosuppressive properties.
This product interferes with special receptors on the surface membrane of certain T lymphocytes and inhibits their responses to interlukins and blocks the productions of another interlukins which will cause inhibition of the cytotoxic activity and prolong the life of skin, kidney and heart allografts.It can be used also for the treatment of psoriasis.
When of the cause of keratoconjunctivitis sicca or dry eye syndrome is inflammation and restasis which has immunosuppressive action will act to suppress ocular inflammation and increase tear production.
Composition of Restasis Eye Drops
Active Ingredient
Cyclosporine concentration of 0.05% which is a fine white powder.
Inactives Ingredients
Polysorbate 80, carbomer copolymer type A, castor oil, glycerin, purified water; and sodium hydroxide to adjust pH.
Preservative
Free
Contraindication of Restasis Eye Drops
1- Active ocular infections and in patients with known.
2- Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients.
How to use this medication
1- This emulsion is supplied in one individual single use vial. Each vial contains 0.4 mL.Each Package has 30 or 60 vials.It is used twice a day. Once each vile is opened it should be used immediately and any remaining of the emulsion in the vile should be immediately discarded.
2- Tip of the vial shouldn’t touch the surface of the eye or any surface.
3- Don’t use it with Contact Lenses. Wear contact lenses 10-15 minutes after using this drop.
The most common Side Effects of Restasis ( Cyclosporine Eye Drops ) are:
1- Ocular burning.
2- Conjunctival hyperemia or Red Eye.
3- Ocular discharge.
4- Epiphora and excessive tearing.
5- Eye pain.
6- Stinging, Burning and foreign body sensation.
7- Itchy Eye.
Systemic Side Effects of Restasis Eye Drops
Potential side effects associated with systemic use of it are the increase incidence of:
1- B-cell lymphoma.
2- Interstitial pneumonitis.
3- Opportunistic infections like herpes simplx virus and candida and pneumocystic organisms.
4- Renal tubular necrosis.
Ocular Indications of Restasis
1- The main indication of Cyclosporine is to increase tear production in patients with Keratoconjunctivitis sicca or dry eye syndrome.
2- It can also be used in patients with Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis.
3- Recent studies showed that it can be used to decrease the recurrence of pterygium after the primary surgical removal.
4- Treatment of corneal subepithelial infiltrates in patients with keratoconjunctivitis due to adenovirus.
5- Peripheral Non infectious corneal ulcer due to auto-immune diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, psoriatic corneal ulcers and Mooren's corneal ulceration.
6- Patients who had corneal grafts and required long-term anti-inflammatory medications. Prednisolone eye drops are usually used in these patients but there are some potential side effects and complications of corticosteroid eye drops such as Steroid-induced glaucoma, Poor wound healing, formation of cataract and increase the incidence of corneal infection.
Restasis has these advantages over Prednisolone eye drops:
- Doesn't increase the incidence of corneal infection because it doesn't increase viral replication and doesn't inhibit phagocytosis which is very important mechanism against bacteria.
- Has no effects on intraocular pressure.
- Has no effects on Corneal wound healing.
- Doesn't increase the incidence of cataract formation.
You have to know that FDA approved Cyclosporine Eye drops for the dry eye treatment and all the other indications are still under clinical trials which so far showed positive results.