Restasis

Restasis (cyclosporine) is a twice daily medicated eye drop used to treat dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca). While dry eye can be caused by various conditions (or by other medication), Restasis is specifically approved to treat suppressed tear production caused by ocular inflammation (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye).

Restasis is also approved to treat a condition called evaporative dry eye (EDE), which is a syndrome in which the meibomian glands produce less oil, leading to extreme evaporation of tears. EDE is the most common cause of dry eye syndrome.

What Restasis does is reduce inflammation that can cause itching and redness, in addition to decreased tear production. With less inflammation, the eyes can create natural tears.

One of the things that makes Restasis so effective is its physical consistency. Restasis follows a formula called ophthalmic emulsion, which means that the liquid has a higher viscosity than oil or water. This allows the medication to stay on the eyes for a longer period of time.

In the U.S., Restasis is still rather expensive. It was approved by the FDA in 2003, so it may have some way to go before a generic is available. Currently, a 30-day supply of one-time use vials starts at about $365.00 ($12.17 per vial).

You could also choose a 5.5 milliliter (mL) bottle of eye drops instead, which starts at about $672.00. Keep in mind that these amounts are different — 30 vials containing 0.4mL of Restasis comes out to 12mL.

At NorthWestPharmacy.com, you could buy a 30-day supply of brand name Restasis starting at just $97.00 ($3.23 per vial). For comparison, the 5.5mL bottle of eye drops costs start at $240.00.

We also have access to a generic cyclosporine. It’s dispensed a bit differently, but a comparable supply to one month of Restasis starts at about $86.00. If you’re finding the dosage here to be confusing, please give us a call and we’ll help you figure it out.

Xiidra Ophthalmic Solution

Xiidra Ophthalmic Solution (lifitegrast) is one of the newest dry eye medications on the market. When used properly, it helps alleviate dry eye symptoms such as irritation, redness, stinging, blurry vision, and the feeling that something might be in your eye (when there really isn’t).

People who use Xiidra have seen noticeable improvements within two weeks of starting the medication.

Because Xiidra is still a very new dry eye medication (approved in 2016), it’s still very expensive. In the United States, one box of Xiidra costs about $655.00.

At NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can buy a box of Xiidra for about $280.00, either online or over the phone.

Lacrisert Ophthalmic Insert

Lacrisert Ophthalmic Inserts (hydroxypropyl cellulose) is another common treatment for dry eye disease, although it’s slightly more complicated. Lacrisert is very unique in that it is a tiny cylinder that is inserted into the little “pocket” under the eye, where it dissolves in the eye socket.

Hydroxypropyl cellulose works by stabilizing and thickening the precorneal tear film and helps slow down the destruction of the tear film that seems to be such an issue for people with dry eyes. Lacrisert will allow your natural tears to last longer as the tear film protects your eyes.

Despite being introduced to the market nearly four decades ago, there is still no generic available. The reasoning behind the lack of competition is difficult to determine — it could be because of renewed or altered patent protection, or it could be because no one else is interested in developing such a complex medication.

In the U.S., one package of Lacrisert (60 inserts) costs about $600.00.

At NorthWestPharmacy.com, the same size package costs about $493.00. While still expensive, it’s cheaper than what you’d buy it for in the U.S.

Lotemax Eye Drops

Lotemax (loteprednol) comes in a couple different forms, but the eye drops are among the most popular. Loteprednol etabonate is a corticosteroid prescribed to treat inflammation, swelling, itching, and redness of the eyes on an acute basis. Most commonly, Lotemax is used to treat allergy symptoms, infections, or in post-surgical care (specifically, cataract surgery).

Lotemax suppresses the body’s natural immune response so that inflammation and swelling doesn’t get in the way of healing. While some of the natural immune response is a good thing for healing, too much can prevent damage from being repaired.

It’s important to note the short-term use of Lotemax. Long-term use can increase the delicate pressure balance in the eye.

In the U.S., a 5mL bottle of brand name Lotemax starts at about $330.00. Unfortunately, the generic isn’t much cheaper, coming in at about $236.00.

At NorthWestPharmacy.com, buy brand name Lotemax starting at about $51.00. Or buy our generic which is also much more affordable, starting at about $39.00.

Lotemax Ophthalmic Gel

Lotemax Ophthalmic Gel (loteprednol etabonate) is another popular form of Lotemax, but the active ingredient is slightly different, which changes the viscosity. The gel form of this medication helps it to coat the eye for a longer period of time to more effectively reduce inflammation.

In the United States, a 5-gram bottle of Lotemax Ophthalmic Gel starts at about $263.00.

At NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can buy a 5-gram bottle of Lotemax starting at about $56.00.

There is no generic available on the market at this time.

Pred Forte Eye Drops

Pred Forte Eye Drops (prednisolone acetate) is another corticosteroid commonly used to treat inflammation in the eye, often because of injury or post-surgical care, but also in the event of allergic conjunctivitis (pink eye).

In the U.S., a 5mL bottle of brand name Pred Forte starts at about $213.00. The generic prednisolone acetate is much more affordable, starting at about $48.00

At NorthWestPharmacy.com, you’ll be able to buy a 10mL bottle of brand name Pred Forte starting at about $58.00. The generic version in the same size bottle starts at about $33.00. We also have a 5mL bottle that you can buy, starting at about $20.00.

Alrex Eye Drops Loteprednol Etabonate

Alrex Eye Drops is another anti-inflammatory eye medication that uses loteprednol etabonate (corticosteroid) as its active ingredient. It is most often used to treat itchy eyes as a result of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC).

Using Lotemax is only recommended in a short-term capacity because of the way it can change eye pressure, but Alrex is formulated differently. The makers of Alrex modified the loteprednol etabonate in order to decrease the risk of eye pressure changes.

Loteprednol is referred to as a “soft drug,” as it is quickly metabolically deactivated and broken down.

In the U.S., a 5mL bottle of Alrex starts at about $312.00.

At NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can buy a 5mL bottle of Alrex for about $74.00.

There is no generic available at this time.

Prolensa Ophthalmic Solution

Prolensa Ophthalmic Solution (bromfenac) is an NSAID often used in both pre- and post-cataract surgical situations to help reduce swelling, inflammation and pain. This is an alternative to Lotemax for patients who may not react well to corticosteroids, or for whom an NSAID is better suited.

Prolensa is difficult to find online in the United States, but at NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can buy a 3mL bottle for about $50.00.

Patanol Eye Drops Olopatadine

Patanol Eye Drops (olopatadine) is an antihistamine eye medication used to treat allergy symptoms as a result of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. Olopatadine targets the conjunctiva receptors in the mucus membrane, which cover the front of the eye and line the inside of the eyelid.

By blocking the histamine receptors, Patanol prevents allergy symptoms (such as itching, burning, redness, excessive watering, or puffiness) from manifesting.

At NorthWestPharmacy.com, buy a 5mL bottle of brand name Patanol starting at about $38.00. The generic olopatadine is slightly cheaper, starting at about $31.00.

Zirgan Ophthalmic Gel

Zirgan Ophthalmic Gel (ganciclovir) is an antiviral medication most often used to treat eye infections or ulcers resulting from the herpes simplex virus in the eye. Sometimes called herpetic keratitis, herpes infections of the eye can become very serious, and in severe cases, can cause the patient to lose their vision.

While not a cure for the herpes simplex virus, ganciclovir is believed to stop replication of the virus, which allows your body’s natural immune system to fight off the outbreak and prevent potential damage to the eye.

In the U.S., a 5-gram bottle of brand name Zirgan costs an average of about $470.00. There is no generic available in the U.S. market at this time.

At NorthWestPharmacy.com, buy the 5-gram bottle of Zirgan for about $104.00. If you’re looking for a generic, you can buy a 5-gram bottle of ganciclovir for just $34.00.