Drug Ratings for RESTASISAverage Rating: 2.5 (69 Ratings)
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Results are sorted by Gender with females listed first (no age reported listed before females) Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) Page: 1 2 |
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR RESTASIS | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
  | F M | | | | |||
| 5 | extremely dry eyes | none | My eyes are sometimes red in the morning, but they were before starting restasis too. No burning or irritation of any kind. | F | 58 | 6 months 0.05% drop 2X D | 3/4/2010 | 5 | dry eye | occasional burning when using the drops | This medicine changed my life. No -- it saved my life. My dry eye problem was intolerable before using Restasis, and it's now virtually resolved. | F | 58 | 5 years ? 2X D | 4/16/2010 | 5 | dry eye after lasik | blurred vision (?) | Wonderful results! After lasik, I was using many drops per day of OTCs, my eyes were so dry. Now I use this only 2x a day. After several months of use I developed minor blurred vision in the distance which may or may not be related, so that I now wear very weak glasses, only for driving. However my pre-lasik vision was so bad, this is well worth it for me, and anyway may be because I over-use the product (2-3 drops twice a day). | F | 41 | 1.5 years 2X D | 11/16/2010 | 5 | Ocular Rosacea | None | I have bottom punctal plugs as well as using the Restasis and warm packs on my eyes at bedtime. I haven't had any side effects in my eyes, they feel 100 times better. Still red all the time, but they were before starting Restasis. The only thing I'm wondering is if it's affected my cholestrol and triglycerides. They've been high since starting it and have now shot up really high. Cyclosporine can increase cholestrol but they claim Restatis doesn't get into the blood stream so I don't know. | F | 57 | 18 months drops 2X D | 11/7/2011 | 5 | Chronic Dry Eye | Eye pain shortly after administering drops. This pain has subsided GREATLY since I began taking Restasis in October 2010. Now I barely notice any pain after administering the drops. I've also noticed that if I use Restasis right before I shower in the AM I have no pain at all. | The eye pain is a minor inconvenience compared to the results I've gotten from Restasis. Prior to starting the drug I felt like I had gravel in my eyes, and I thought that my vision was changing. I went to my optometrist to have my eyes checked and it turned out that my Rx was just fine, but the dry eye was causing the vision changes. I started on Restasis and an occular anti-inflammatory that same day. I've never looked back. My dr. had warned me that it might take several months for the Restasis to fully kick in. I'm glad I waited. My tear production has returned to normal levels, I've been off the anti-inflammatory for several months and my eyes feel great. | F | 46 | 8 months 1 drop 2X D | 5/31/2011 | 5 | Dry eye | Very slight burning. | This drug takes a long time to give you the desired result, however, the results when they kick in are impressive for my type of dry eye. My eye doc, said that my tears would evaporate every 3 seconds before whereas 12-14 is normal. They literall felt like sand paper before. Three months later, my tears now last 12 seconds before evaporating. The only problem is that you have to use them forever. | F | 43 | 1 years 2X D | 2/22/2012 | 5 | ocular rosacea | None | Started working after about 3 weeks. My eyes are much less red and inflamed. I'm ecstatic! | F | 54 | 5 months | 10/29/2008 | 5 | Dry eyes | none | It helps a lot- I notice a real difference if I don't put my drops in for a day or two. | F | 25 | 2.5 years | 12/5/2008 | 5 | Sjogren's Syndrome | Burning in he eyes. | F | 40 | 1.5 years | 8/13/2008 | 5 | dry eye | It was an instant cure. My eyes had been dry and weepy at the same time for months. I tried many other things, but only got temporary partial relief. This has been great, and I notice if I forget to use because my eyes degrade in a short time. | F | 62 | 24 days | 12/13/2009 | 4 | Chronic dry eye | When I first use the drops, some slight stinging for a few seconds. | Provides relief from dry eyes and my vision improves with regular use. My eye dr. prescribed these drops for me to take 2x a day. I have no mucous in my eyes now that I am using this. Also, no itchy, watery eyes. | F | 41 | 4 years | 1/15/2009 | 4 | sjogrens syndrome | stinging for a few minutes after I take the drop (2x a day) | Why do they make you waste half the liquid in the sealed container each time you use it? and it is very expensive Otherwise good stuff...nothing else works anyway. | F | 43 | 4 years | 2/5/2008 | 4 | Dry Eye Condition | Unable to wear contacts following administration. Some occasional itching in the eye. | Excellent medication for dry eye. | F | 39 | 2 years | 11/7/2007 | 4 | Sjogren | My eyes were so dry that my cornea's kept getting an abrasion which would then get infected - I had plugs. The first few months on restasis was hell but it then got better and better for a long time. After about 4 years on the drug, the dryness increased and they raised me to 4 x daily but now I have a rash around my eyes and also at the base of my nostril. Was wondering if this is related to the new dose of restasis. Have no clue how I am going to live without this drug. | F | 49 | 4 years 4X D | 10/4/2010 | 4 | dry eye | After a year on Restasis, I am getting irritation in my eyes. They seem to be blood shot and constantly feel like something is in the eye. I am also experiencing sharp pain in the right eye.This has just started and I have not contacted my physician yet. | It really helped my eyesight and dry eye. Not sure what I am going to do if I am starting to develop a problem. I need clear vision for my job. | F | 58 | 1 years 2X D | 11/4/2010 | 4 | cronic dry eye/itching/pain | Stinging after long use but was told by Dr. that would be normal because eyes were healing. Have occasional sensation of something in my eyes but restane drops cure that. Blurred vision ifm I try to get on comp or watch tv right after. | My experience has been beneficial overall although I still need to add moisture drops occasionally & during allergy season I turn to my steroid drops to reduce inflamation. (eyes feell like a vice is squeezing them) I have almost no "eye boogers" any more & my light sensitivity has been greatly improoved. For those of you with sjogrens. GET A NEW DOCTOR. My own research just on the web has me figuring that this med is bad for this condition. "Although the hallmark symptoms are dry eyes and dry mouth. Sjögren’s may also cause dysfunction of other organs such as the kidneys, gastrointestinal system, blood vessels, lungs, liver, pancreas, and the central nervous system." My readings on this med have found that Restasis affects the liver if you alreasy have some issues & increases hypertension symptoms if you already have that also. | F | 40 | 18 months .05 2X D | 11/7/2010 | 4 | dry eyes | I wonder if I am getting more and WORSE colds and if when I got the flu it was worse than it would otherwise have been. I don't recall getting more than 2 colds a year - so far this year, I've had 2 and this last was a doozie! Lots of throat pain with typical cold symptoms. Just seems to me it could be related to the restasis. | F | 50 | 2 years 2X D | 5/14/2010 | 4 | Dry Eyes | Some burning/stinging | So far I've been reasonably happy with Restasis. I haven't noticed a huge difference but I haven't been on it very long. About 50% of the time it stings a bit when I put it in and for a few minutes afterwards. I don't really mind that though because I have severe eye allergies and the burning/stinging is very minor compared to the intense itching I used to get during grass season. I also take this with Pataday allergy eye drops and have to wait for 15-20 minutes in between using the two products. There is more stinging in the morning because that is when I take the Pataday, but again it is not that bad for me. | F | 28 | 10 days 1 drop 2X D | 6/30/2010 | 3 | Dry Eye | A little stinging, not bad. If I remember the night dosage I wake up with less "gumminess". Seems to help during the day, and I can keep contacts in longer, up to six hours. Still, not a miracle cure. I still need Systane and other dry-eye drops. | Even my opthomologist thinks the "one vial per dose" is wasteful. I use one vial per day, or even per two days if I forget to take it regularly. I need to stop taking it for a week to see if I miss it. I'll report back. | F | 66 | 4 months ? 1X D | 8/16/2010 | 3 | dry eyes/sjogrens | it really helped at first, but now my eyes keep getting blurry and I can't tolerate bright lights at all.Also it feels like I can't move my eyes very fast or I get dizzy. My ears are ringing and sinuses are plugged. I'm going back to OTC drops. | F | 50 | 5 months 2X D | 3/7/2010 | 3 | extreme dry eye from lasik surgery | I do believe it has helped somewhat but I have also experienced excess mucous in the back of my throat.I also am experiencing an itchy rash on my legs.I dont knowif this could be from a lotion or not but have had it around the same time I started the restasis | I also was working out at the gym last night and my ears clogged up and got a bit of a headache and had to blow my ears out.I do believe this has to be from the restasis cause of the excess mucous running down the back of my throat.Hmmmm..anyone else experienced anything like this? | F | 51 | 4 weeks 2X D | 3/3/2010 | 3 | Moderate dry eyes | Bloodshot eyes, eyes are very sore, sensitive to light, hard to drive at night, eyes are swollen at times | Seem to use less OTC eye drops than before. Wear contacts so able to wear them pretty comfortably around 8 hours. Not sure if the side effects weight out the benefits yet though. | F | 56 | 90 days 2X D | 11/1/2011 | 3 | Dry eyes in the Winter | Some burning. I have used it for about 10 weeks and it has only helped a little so far. | F | 53 | 10 weeks | 12/6/2007 | 3 | dry eyes - lasik + maoi | some burning, which usually goes away fairly quickly. not as effective as i had hoped, but better than nothing. | i started having problems with dry eyes after my lasik procedure, mostly waking up with painful/dry/itchy eyes after sleeping all night, but after a month or two it was manageable with artificial tears. a few months after i started taking emsam (the maoi patch, for depression), the dryness got worse - i woke up a few times with my eyes so dry that my eyelid was literally stuck closed, and a few times felt like it ripped off the surface of my eye if i opened it suddenly. after about 8 weeks on the drops, i was back to the pre-maoi levels, and i'm now able to manage the dryness with tears again (no more waking up with eyes stuck closed). | F | 27 | 6 months | 1/22/2008 | 3 | blepharitis | Stings a little, then makes my eyes feel drier. It helped originally, but was given another prescription eye drop for my condition that works better - works great - FreshKote eye drops. | F | 39 | 10 months | 10/24/2008 | 3 | Chronic dry eye | My eyes burn for about 15 minutes after application. I have noticed a slight increase in my blood pressure, since beginning the medication. Also, after being on Restasis for about 2 months, I developed dry mouth at night. I am not sure if these two new symptoms are related to Restasis or not. Additionally, my eyelids are now red most of the time. | Restasis has helped my dry eye to a degree. I no longer need a heavy ointment in my eyes while sleeping. Some days, I do not need additional eye drops, but other days I may use drops 4x per day. (I like Systane Ultra.) Prolonged computer use continues to dry my eyes. I am thinking about weaning myself off Restasis for a period of time, to see if my dry mouth, red lids and bp get back to normal. | F | 63 | 10 months 1 drop 2X D | 4/1/2012 | 3 | severe dry eye | burning and stinging, severe sensitivity t o light, but after 3 months the scratches on my eyeball are gone, and the side effects of restatis seem to have ended. Only thing is I have blood pressure issues,and am trying to figure out if it is the restatis. | My eyes are so much better. but if the blood pressure issue is indeed related to restatis, I do'n't know what then. | F | 65 | 3 months 2X D | 9/28/2012 | 3 | Chronic Dry Eye | First time trying, I did not have steroids to get me through the first two weeks, so I quit after stinging was intolerable. New prescript and steroids, I have had no problem, but now after 6 months stinging has started upon administration. I will be checking my blood pressure and chlolesteral after reading other's effects. | Before Restasis, I was using moisture drops 4 times a night, now maybe once a night. I feel fine during day, but no help with redness:( | F | 51 | 7 months 2X D | 11/28/2012 | 3 | Severe dry eyes | Sore throat, plugged ears, then sinus infection leading to bronchitis."Headache due to sinus pressure. Zithromycin was prescribed for bronchitis. My lungs are getting better (day 5) but now I realize the bronchitis was due to sinus drainage. Now, what's coming out of my nose is horrific!! I haven't been sick in YEARS. Not even a cold or the flu!! Suddenly, after taking this for a couple weeks, I have sinusitis, then bronchitis!! I'm going to continue but NOT tilt my head back as the directions suggest. If I don't get relief soon, I'm gonna have to ditch the restasis altogether. It's just not worth the pain. I have not tried the tear duct plugs. Opthamologist wanted to try restasis first. Bronchitits keeps me out of the gym. As it is, I feel extremely lethargic to the point of feeling "altered", like I'm drunk. No gym = dealbreaker!!! | If this could work with out the painful sinuses, leading to bronchitis, then great! Otherwise, it isn't for me. Keeping me from the gym is absolutely unacceptable. | F | 50 | 30 days 2X D | 3/16/2013 | 3 | chronic dry eye | Temporary eye irritation immediately after drops administered; understand that medication must be used for several weeks before results are noticed | Medication is extremely expensive and unless results are exceptional, I will not refill RX. My doctor has advised that I save unused portion in vial for subsequent use. | F | 63 | 7 days | 8/10/2008 | 3 | Sjogren's Syndrome | Itching, burning, eye pain. Extreme sensitivity to bright light. Aggravated sinus/allergy issues. | This is my 3rd attempt at trying Restasis. I stopped the other times after just a few days due to sinus problems and itching/burning sensation. My doctor thinks these side effects will go away after several months on it, but now I'm getting very sensitive to bright lights of any sort. May go back to using over-the-counter dry eye gel as Restasis side effects are beginning to outweigh possible benefits. | F | 39 | 6 months | 8/17/2009 | 3 | Severe Dry Eyes | I have not had any problems but I am only on my first week and my doctor said it could take up to six weeks for it to work. I need a miracle! My tears last less than 5 seconds. | F | 46 | 7 days | 9/22/2009 | 2 | chronic dry eye | Suspect sinus drainage and sore throat are result of restasis. Back of mouth (around back teeth and back of tongue) feel sore and irritated. Throat and nose feel restricted/ swollen. Symptoms improved after 1 week discontinuing drops. A second attempt a few weeks later resulted in same symptoms- sore throat actually worsened and dry mouth intensified. Negative outweighed positive for me. I really believe what I initially assumed to be allergy is in fact negative side effect of my eye drops! I have discontinued medication for the second time and I'm anxiously waiting for side effects to stop! | F | 32 | 1 years 2 x's per | 4/17/2013 | 2 | dry eye | Not sure, stopped it after 4 days when I got a horrible cold. | I never get colds. 4 days after using this stuff, I got a horrible sore throat, infected tonsils, sinus infection type symptoms, which then turned into a really bad cold. Three weeks later, I am still badly congested. I am very suspicious that this immunosuppressant medication may have made me vulnerable to catching this virus. I see one other similar comment. I may try the Restasis again if I ever feel better. Since I paid a fortune for it! | F | 61 | 4 days .05% 2X D | 10/27/2012 | 2 | blepharitis and dry eyes | Sinus pain and swelling, sore throat, headache and upset stomach | I did not have any stinging or red eyes when I put the drop in. It really helped my eyes, but I could not stand the sinus pain and sore throat so I had to stop it. | F | 63 | 14 days 0.4ML 2X D | 3/22/2013 | 2 | dry eyes | I experienced little benefit after 4 weeks of daily use. My eyelids began to become red, itchy and irritated. I had to stop using Restasis due to inflamed eyelids. My dry eye condition responds best to over the counter eye lubricant drops. As long as I keep my eyes *marinated* several times a day with inexpensive lubricants, I feel better. I spend 9-10 hours a day using the computer, and probably don't blink enough when I am concentrating on work. | F | 46 | 6 weeks | 10/19/2008 | 2 | Sjogren's Syndrome | I have very dry eyes causing infections including episcleritis. I read this drug can help and added more moisturizing drops for a week beforehand to prepare my eyes for the restatsis. Each day I used the drops the worse my eyes looked and felt. By the 6th day it felt like I was again developing another infection in one eye. I stopped the restasis and my eye problem cleared up in a couple of days. I am back to using multiple moisturizing eye drops. I will never try this drug again. | F | 54 | 6 days 2X D | 4/7/2011 | 2 | Sjogrens Syndrom/dry eyes | This is my second attempt using Restasis hoping that this time I'd have improvement to my condition. The result this time is the same as the last: dryness/burning/constant blinking trying to get relief and when I used artificial tears with Restasis use the artificial tears had NO effect. I was better off just using the artificial tears without the Restasis. I have been chided by my opthamologist for not continuing Restasis, but if a medication worsens your condition why would anyone continue? | I am sad that I am not one of those users that had beneficial results. | F | 69 | 3 months 2X D | 2/17/2012 | 2 | dry eyes | my eyes burn awful only relief is close my eyes really getting worse the longer I use them | F | 76 | 1 years 2X D | 1/23/2012 | 2 | Dry Eye | Extreme red eye, burning, crusty eyes in the morning. | I had lasik almost 4 years ago and just began experiencing dry eyes (I think because of my work environment). My doctor suggested restasis and after just 2 days I had to stop using it. My eyes were bright red and had constant stinging. Even with an anti-inflammatory drop and additional OTC drops the redness and stinging did not decrease. I am now back to using only OTC drops and am noticing a difference. I have a full month's supply (less 2 vials) that I will sell reasonably if anyone would like it. Please email me. | F | 29 | 2 days 2X D | 12/4/2010 | 2 | Dry eye | Stinging, blurred vision | Doc prescribed restasis for dry eyes. It didn't really work. Caused stinging and blurred vision. Maybe it would have gotten better with time, but I didn't want to wait. I'm having better luck now with OTC meds. | F | 49 | 2 months 1 drop 1X D | 1/24/2011 | 1 | chronic dry eyes | heart palpitations,blurry vision,insomnia | F | 67 | 30 days 0.4 mg 2X D | 12/17/2010 | 1 | Dry eyes | My eyes got worse....and my nose got really dry too. It was awful. I had to use steroids to calm everything down. My eyes and nose were constantly burning...it was the worst thing I have ever used. | F | 39 | 30 days 2 drops 2X D | 1/17/2011 | 1 | dry eye | My eyes were so blurred. Sensitivity to bright light inside and outside. This medication was just awful. | I just stop torturing myself. OTC lubricant eye drops from Target's $5.00 worked just as will with no side effects. | F | 55 | 22 days 2X D | 12/3/2011 | 1 | Chronic Dry Eye | During first year seemed like Restasis was helping a little. But even after plugs, OTC drops + Restasis my eyes became extremely sensitive to light, red, itchy, swollen lids and outer corners of eyes. I experimented by stopping Restasis for short bouts and my eyes showed improvement (I thought.) By-the-way I was using some OTC drops only & warm compresses in AM! But my DOC does NOT want me to stop these drops! Forget about it! It's my belief my eye pain/other is a direct result of Restastis use!!!!! | F | 62 | 4 years 2xDay | 3/16/2012 | 1 | Dry eyes | Made my dry eyes worse! | F | 39 | 6 months 1X D | 2/3/2012 | 1 | dry eye syndrome | Within 15 min. of first application of 1 drop in each eye, I experienced elevated blood pressure, anxiety, shakiness, dizziness, nausea. | I decided to try the drops again for the second dosage in 12 hrs. and got the same symptoms. I did find my symptoms listed as side effects when I Googled the specific side effects. | F | 65 | 1 days 0.05% sol. 1X D | 5/7/2010 | 1 | chronic dry eye ( Sjogrens disease) | blurred vision, pain, burning, red eyes | I feel this medication has not helped me..it seems to have actually made things worse, and now my eyes are always red...this product is terrible! | F | 54 | 14 days 2X D | 5/5/2010 | 1 | Dry eyes. | Burning, blurry eyes with extreme redness. Sensitivity to bright light, inside and outside. Runny nose. | I have allergies and they were intensified since taking Restasis. Noticed runny nose, which was unusual. Found it hard to read because of blurred vision. Would rather use OTC drops than to continue this torture. Eyes are still extremely red even after discontinuing drops for over a week. I wish my doctor had told me all the negatives of this prescription before he recommended it. I find it hard to believe this would help anyone and wonder how it got on the market. | F | 67 | 3 weeks 1 drop/eye 2X D | 3/21/2010 | 1 | Dr. said it would help dry eyes. | The sting lasted about 20 min. Then instead of helping dry eye, my eyes were worse, and more irritated. Though I continued adding tears throughout the day, my eye just felt horrible. | My eyes were irritated and dry, sometimes would hurt or sting. I had to constantly blink and was needing to add tears to often. I finally stopped Restasis. I still have dry eye but that horrible condition from Restasis is gone; I add tears occassionally. | F | 74 | 2 weeks 2X D | 9/1/2010 | 1 | Dry eyes; possible Sjogrens | Immediately after putting Restasis in my eyes, I felt like I had something like an eye lash or hair in my eye. After 20-30 minutes, the fires of hell started burning in my eye sockets, and the pain and burning continued ALL DAY LONG. | I was able to tolerate the Restasis for a couple of months with the addition of prescription tears and steroid drops; however, once my eye pressure spiked and I had to drop the steroids, the fire in my eyes went back up from simmer to roast. This stuff is worse than worthless for me. Corneal abrassions didn't hurt as much as the burning from Restasis. | F | 38 | 3 months 2X D | 5/27/2010 | 1 | Had Restor Lens put in | From the beginning, have had burning, redness, stinging, blurred vision, dry eyes (which was reason for using Restasis) following cataract surgery and the insertion of Restor Lens. | I occasionally had dry eyes prior to cataract surgery. However, after having Restor Lens, I was told to use Restasis. It has done nothing positive and everything negative (see above) for me. Dr. wants me to try steroid eyedrops. If that doesn't work, then a procedure called "conjunetival chalasis". I'm very reluctant to have any more procedures done to my eyes and wish I had just had my cataracts removed and left it at that. | F | 62 | 365 days 2X D | 12/6/2010 | 1 | Dry eye due to arthritis | Severe headaches, sinus pain, bloody nose. | I'm upset it took me two weeks to figure out that it was the Restasis that caused such sinus issues with me. I was in sever pain for two straight weeks. I thought I was getting a sinus infection (never had one before) especially since my nose was bleeding. Finally stopped the Restasis and WA-LA! Instant recovery! Since the Doc said Restasis wouldn't cause those side effects, I tried it one more time just one tube and guess what? Bloody nose! Never again! | F | 48 | 2 weeks 1 tube 1X D | 2/3/2013 | 1 | Blepharitis/Dry eye | My eyes burned and felt ultra scratchy long term, my eyes were much worse and I did not see the point in using more-horrible drug, that is fifty bucks down the drain and that the price with insurance and wiating a month for it to go through. | F | 55 | 2 days 2X D | 2/22/2013 | 1 | Puffy and pain around eyes all day and red eyes just after administering. Some trouble focusing when moving eyes quickly, hard to focus under lower levels of light. Side effects are bad enough that I had to stop taking, and after 30 hours I'm still experiencing pretty severe pain that won't let up after advil even. | I would have given this drug a negative rating if it were possible. The pain is far worse than the symptom (dry eyes). | F | 34 | 8 days 2X D | 4/3/2013 | 1 | Sjogrens | No burn on impact, but within 15-20 seconds sharp burning sensation that lasted over two hours. Eyelids now red and irritated. Artificial tears giving no relief, where they had given some before. Sinuses affected. | Absolute misery. Why take a medication that makes your symptoms worse? I quit after 2 days. I do not intend to torture myself to see 'if' it gets more comfortable and 'if' it helps. I could be blind by then. | F | 50 | 2 days | 10/2/2009 | 1 | Dry eyes | Eyes blood shot, watery eyes, burning for a few hours first 2 weeks, and by 3rd week, I could hardly see because of a runny nose, blood shot eyes, burning eyeballs and eye lids. One eye felt as though I had cut glass in it and thus continued for over 9 hours each day. Blurry vision prevented me from driving or reading. Torture this is and I quit taking this. | It is not worth taking this medication. I was told by my doctors office that the symptoms would probably stop after about 3 months. I was told I would be using this for 6 months. I would be in the funny farm by then. I will attempt to find some other eye moisturizer, even if it means using it every day as long as it is not so violent. | F | 70 | 3 weeks | 1/17/2010 | 1 | sjogren's syndrome | Upper and lower eye lids become extremely inflamed and painful within hours of using restasis. My eyes become drier and hurt more. I have to keep a cold compress on my eyes to get any relief. | My doctor said it takes several months before the benefits of this medication are realized. I can't take the pain and discomfort that long. I've tried several times to take this medication, but after a few days I'm in more pain then when I started. | F | 56 | | 7/17/2009 | 1 | Dry eye syndrome | Awful eye strain which prevented me from easily working at my job (which is 8-10 hours in front of a screen). Burning, watery eyes, discharge, but it did help with the dryness! | F | 21 | 21 days | 11/1/2009 |
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