What is Cyclosporine eye drop uses, side effects & precautions?

Why is this medication prescribed?

Cyclosporine ophthalmic is used for the treatment of dry eye disease by increasing tear production. Cyclosporine ophthalmic works by decreasing swelling in the eye. Cyclosporine comes under a class of medications called immunomodulators. Cyclosporine eye drops are sold under the brand names Cequa, or Restasis.

How should this medicine be used?

Cyclosporine ophthalmic is available in the form of the liquid and as an emulsion to instill in the eye. Usually, the doctor prescribed this medication be instilled in each eye twice a day after 12 hours apart. Don’t try to use this medication more or less often than prescribed by your health care professionals and use the cyclosporine eye drops exactly in the same quantity that your doctor prescribed you to take. Remember to use this medication regularly at the same time each day. If you have any type of question or anything that you don’t understand then ask that to your health care professionals and follow your prescription label carefully as directed.

This medication is for the eyes, don’t try to use or apply this eye drop on the skin. Cyclosporine eye drops are available in two types of bottles like first small bottles to be used for one dose and second one a bottle that can be used more than once. If you are using single-use vials then after opening the liquid from a vial should be used immediately even if you have opened it for a single or both.

How to apply cyclosporine eye drops:

Before using cyclosporine eye drop, wash your hand thoroughly with soap and water very gently.
Follow the instructions very carefully in the package to prepare the container for use. When you are using the multi-dose bottle for the first time.
If you are using the emulsion then first turn over the bottle or the vial a few times until you see the liquid inside looks white and you can’t see -through it.
Now you can open the vail or you can remove the cap from the multi-use bottle.
Against your eye, fingers, face, or any surface try to avoid touching the dropper tip or anything else. Always remember that eye drops and droppers must be clean.
To form a pocket with your index finger pull down the lower lid of your eye, while tilting your head back.
With the help of the other hand hold the dropper, as close to the eye as possible without touching it.
The next step is to brace the remaining fingers against your face.
Squeeze the dropper, when you’re looking up so that a single drop falls into the pocket made by the lower eyelid.
And then from the lower eyelid remove your index finger.
After that, as you look at the floor, close your eyes for 2 to 3 minutes. And try to not squeeze or blink your eyelids.
Apply gentle pressure by placing a finger on the tear duct.
With a tissue, from your face, wipe any excess liquid.
Wait at least 5 minutes if you want to use more than one drop in the same eye before instilling the next drop.
Without wiping or rinsing the dropper tip, replace and tighten the cap on the dropper bottle.
In the last wash your hands again to remove the medication.

If you want to get the most benefits from the cyclosporine eye drops then use this medication regularly in order. And always use it at the same time each day. Until consulting your health care professional won’t try to stop using this medication.

If you are using this medication and you are feeling well then continue to use cyclosporine eye drops don’t try to stop using it without consulting your health care professional.

Other uses of cyclosporine eye drops

Ask your health care professional for more information because cyclosporine eye drop is also prescribed for other uses.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Always follow your dietary recommendations and exercise plan made by your health care professional. And ask your doctor for instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity. Or if your doctor didn’t give you any instructions, you can continue your normal diet.

What happens if I overdose?

Some of the symptoms or side effects can occur because of an overdose of this medication. Talk to your healthcare professionals if you have experienced any of the following symptoms or side effects immediately.

What special precautions should I follow?

You should have followed this special precaution before using cyclosporine eye drops:

If you are allergic to cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in cyclosporine eye drops then tell your doctor and pharmacist and ask them for all ingredients.
Don’t ever try to drive a car because this drug may make your vision blurred or not operate any machinery until you see clearly.
If you are using any other eye drops, artificial tears, or lubricant while using the cyclosporine eye drops then instill them before or after at least 15 minutes.
If you have or have ever had medical conditions or have any medical history then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant while using cyclosporine eye drops. If you become pregnant while using it then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
If you are taking some prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products especially any other eye drops product and vitamin D or planning to take them while using cyclosporine eye drops then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
Before installing cyclosporine eye drops remove your contact lenses, because this solution can be absorbed by soft contact lenses and it would be harmful to you. After instilling cyclosporine eye drops, wait for 10 to 15 minutes and then you can put your contact lenses in your eyes.

If you have experienced or faced any of the problems mentioned above then contact your health care professionals immediately. Follow all the mentioned precautions carefully, these are all precautions that you can take while using this product.

What side effects can cyclosporine eye drops cause?

Don’t use this medication without your doctor’s prescription, Doctors will suggest cyclosporine eye drops by judging the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. You should have to know the side effects and symptoms of this medication before taking this.

Some common side effects of cyclosporine eye drops:

If you experience any of these common side effects or symptoms and do not go away or are getting worse, then stop taking or using cyclosporine eye drops and call your doctor immediately:

You’ll start feeling that something is in the eye.
You’ll feel a headache.
You’ll start feeling burning, itching, stinging, redness, or pain in your eyes.
You’ll feel eyelid swelling.
You’ll feel eye discharge.
You’ll feel blurred vision or other vision changes.

Some serious side effects of cyclosporine eye drops:

If you experience any of these serious side effects or symptoms and do not go away or are getting worse, then stop taking or using cyclosporine eye drops and call your doctor immediately:

You’ll feel swelling on your face, throat, eyes, and tongue.
You’ll feel hives.
You’ll feel itching.
You’ll feel trouble breathing.

It can also cause other side effects and if you have any unusual problems while using this product then immediately contact your health care professionals because this is not the complete list of all symptoms and side effects of this medication.

What can I do if I forget a dose?

If you forgot to take this medication and if it is near the time of your next dose then we suggest you please skip that dose and take it at the next dose at the regular time. Don’t take the dose at irregular times. It makes your dose double.

What are the Interactions of cyclosporine with other drugs?

Your healthcare professionals can already be aware of any drug interactions. Don’t try to change, stop, or start the dosage of any medicine before checking or before talking to your doctor or pharmacist. If you are taking some prescription and nonprescription medications, other vitamins, nutritional supplements, herbal products, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, or planning to take them, then tell your doctor and pharmacist before starting the treatment with this product.

Before using the cyclosporine eye drops medication, tell your healthcare professionals of all the products you use because this documentation doesn’t contain all the possible interactions. And the most important thing when you are taking these products doesn’t start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines you are using without your doctor’s approval.

What can I know about the storage and disposal of this medication?

You should have disposed of all the medication that is unneeded in a special way to ensure that children, pets, and other people can’t consume them. You can not flush them or pour them into the drain. You can return them to the pharmacist or the best way is that you can take back the program for returning your medicines.

Store this medication at room temperature and keep them away from light or excessive heat and moisture. And put them away from the reach of the pets and children, we suggest you put that medicine in a tightly closed container in which they came.

What other information should I know?

Don’t miss any of your doctor and laboratory appointments because your doctor will check the response of this medicine then he/she will tell you the update or other pieces of information. So, keep all your appointments with your doctor, pharmacist, the laboratory. And before having any laboratory test, if you are already taking this product then tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel. Talk to your healthcare professionals if you feel your health condition is getting worse or your dose may need to be adjusted.

And ensure that no one is taking your medicine or no one has them. It is very important to tell your pharmacist about all your prescriptions and non-prescription you were taking and make a list of them and carry the list all the time. It would help you in case of emergencies. When you meet or visit your doctor you should bring the list. It’s important to your doctor.

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