Cyclosporine (Ophthalmic)

Brand Names : Restasis

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking cyclosporine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For cyclosporine eye drops, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to cyclosporine. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Cyclosporine eye drops have not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that cyclosporine eye drops can cause problems with the fetus. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. Cyclosporine eye drops should only be given to pregnant women if needed.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether cyclosporine eye drops pass into the breast milk. Most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts. It may be necessary for you to take another medicine or to stop breast feeding during treatment. Be sure you discuss the risks and benefits of this medicine with your doctor.

Children - Cyclosporine eye drops have only been studied in children age 16 and older. Discuss with your child's doctor the good that this medicine may do as well as the risks of using it.

Older adults - This medicine has been tested and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your doctor is you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter) (OTC) medicine.

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of cyclosporine eye drops. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Current eye infections or
• Hypersensitivity to cyclosporine or any ingredients in cyclosporine - This medicine should not be used if you have these conditions.

• History of herpes infection of your cornea - Caution should be used with this medicine if you have this condition.

• If you are a contact lens user - Patients with decreased tear production should not wear contacts.