Eysuvis (loteprednol) is a prescription drug that’s used for dry eye disease. Eysuvis comes as eye drops that can be used daily for up to 2 weeks.

Eysuvis is used in adults to treat symptoms of dry eye disease. Your doctor may recommend Eysuvis as a short-term treatment for when your dry eye symptoms flare up (get worse).

Eysuvis basics

Eysuvis contains the active ingredient loteprednol. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Eysuvis belongs to a group of drugs called corticosteroids (often just known as steroids). It’s a brand-name medication that’s not currently available in generic form.

Eysuvis eye drops are used short-term to treatment symptoms of dry eye disease in adults.

Eysuvis for dry eye

With dry eye disease, either your eyes don’t make enough tears, or your tears evaporate too quickly. This can make your eyes too dry. As a result, they can become irritated and inflamed (swollen). Your eyes may feel uncomfortable, scratchy, or like they’re burning, and they may look red. You may have times when these symptoms flare up (get worse).

Eysuvis eye drops reduce the inflammation in your eyes. This helps relieve the symptoms of dry eye disease. You can use the drops for up to 2 weeks.

Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. The drugmaker offers several Patient Affordability Programs. These include copay assistance and AlconCares, for those who qualify.

You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.

Like most drugs, Eysuvis may cause mild to serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects the drug may cause, but they don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Eysuvis. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Below are some of the mild side effects Eysuvis can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read the drug’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Eysuvis that have been reported include:

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* An allergic reaction is possible after using Eysuvis, but it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies. To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Eysuvis can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Eysuvis that have been reported include:

  • thinning or damage to the surface of your eye
  • increased pressure in your eye
  • cataract
  • severe allergic reaction*

* An allergic reaction is possible after using Eysuvis, but it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies. To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Eysuvis, but it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Eysuvis. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Eysuvis that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form and strength

Eysuvis comes as a liquid suspension eye drop. It’s available in one strength: 0.25%. This means there’s 2.5 milligrams (mg) of drug per milliliter (mL) of liquid suspension.

Recommended dosage

You’ll usually put one or two drops of Eysuvis into each eye four times per day. Your doctor will recommend how many drops to use. You can use this dosage of the drug for up to 2 weeks.

To learn more about Eysuvis’s dosage, see this article.

Questions about Eysuvis dosing

Below are some common questions about Eysuvis’s dosing.

  • What if I miss a dose of Eysuvis? If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible. Then continue with your usual dosing schedule.
  • Will I need to use Eysuvis long term? No, Eysuvis is only meant to be used for up to 2 weeks at a time. Your doctor may prescribe further courses of treatment if your dry eye disease flares up again. But they’ll only do so after measuring the pressure in your eyes and examining them. This is to check that Eysuvis is still safe for you to use.
  • How long does Eysuvis take to work? The drops start working as soon as you start using them. In studies, some people had a reduction in their symptoms after about 4 days. But it may take up to 2 weeks before your symptoms are reduced.

Below are answers to some common questions about Eysuvis.

What should I know about alternatives to Eysuvis, such as Lotemax and Restasis?

Lotemax contains the same active ingredient* as Eysuvis, and both drugs reduce eye inflammation. But Lotemax comes in a higher strength than Eysuvis and is not used to treat dry eye disease. Instead, it’s used for eye inflammation caused by other eye conditions, such as allergies.

Restasis, on the other hand, is used to treat dry eye disease. But it’s used in a different way than Eysuvis. Restasis is used on a long-term basis to increase your eye’s natural ability to make tears. But Eysuvis is used on a short-term basis to relieve dry eye symptoms.

To find out more about alternatives to Eysuvis, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

Is Eysuvis a steroid?

Yes, Eysuvis is a steroid (corticosteroid). These are drugs that reduce inflammation (swelling). Dry eye disease can make your eyes irritated and inflamed. The inflammation causes many of the symptoms of dry eye disease, such as redness, burning or scratchy feelings, and discomfort. Eysuvis relieves dry eye symptoms by reducing the inflammation in your eyes.

If you’d like to know more about how Eysuvis works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can I wear contacts when using Eysuvis?

Yes, but if you wear contact lenses, you’ll need to take them out before you administer each dose of Eysuvis. Wait 15 minutes after putting the drops in your eyes before putting your lenses back in. If you have questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Your doctor will explain how you should use Eysuvis. They’ll also explain how much to use and how often. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions. Your pharmacist can also show you how to put in the eye drops.

Using Eysuvis

Eysuvis comes as a liquid suspension eye drop.

Before administering each dose of Eysuvis be sure to:

  • wash your hands
  • take out your contacts if you wear them
  • shake the bottle for 2 to 3 seconds

Then put one or two drops into each eye, as instructed by your doctor.

Take care to avoid the dropper tip on the bottle touching your eye, fingers, or any surface. If the tip touches anything, the eye drops may get contaminated with germs that could cause an eye infection.

You can find more information on using Eysuvis in the drugmaker’s instructions for use.

Accessible medication containers and labels

Certain pharmacies may provide medication labels that:

  • have large print
  • use braille
  • contain a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text into audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a pharmacy that offers these options if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Also, if you’re having trouble using your eye drops, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to recommend tools or tips that can help make eye drops easier to administer.

Using Eysuvis with other drugs

Your doctor may recommend using Eysuvis with other drugs for dry eye disease, such as artificial tears. If you use Eysuvis with other eye medications, such as eye drops, gels, or ointments, you should wait at least 5 minutes between using each medication. Use eye gels or ointments last.

Separating your doses like this allows each medication time to be absorbed into your eye. And it avoids washing one medication out with the next one.

Some important things to discuss with your doctor when considering Eysuvis include your overall health and any medical conditions you may have.

Interactions

Using a medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.

Before using Eysuvis, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. Also, describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Eysuvis.

For information about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings” section below.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

There currently aren’t any medications or supplements known to interact with Eysuvis. But this doesn’t mean drug interactions with Eysuvis won’t be recognized in the future. For example, new medications may be approved that interact with Eysuvis.

For this reason, you should still tell your doctor and pharmacist about any medications you take besides Eysuvis. They can then check for any new interactions during your treatment.

Note: If you use Eysuvis with other eye medications, such as eye drops, gels, or ointments, you should wait at least 5 minutes between using each medication. Use eye gels or ointments last. Separating your doses allows each medication time to be absorbed into your eye. And it avoids washing one medication out with the next one.

Warnings

Eysuvis may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether this drug is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Eysuvis. Factors to consider include those described below.

Eye infection. If you have an eye infection, using Eysuvis could make it worse. Your doctor will likely not prescribe Eysuvis until your infection has been treated. If you develop symptoms of an eye infection while using Eysuvis, contact your doctor so they can check for infection.

Symptoms of an eye infection can include new or worsening eye pain, swelling, redness, itching, or discharge. If you have an eye infection, your doctor will likely recommend that you stop using Eysuvis. And they may prescribe medication to treat your infection.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Eysuvis or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe it for you. Ask them about other medications that might be better options.

Glaucoma. Eysuvis may increase the pressure in your eyes. If you have glaucoma, this could make your condition worse. Talk with your doctor about whether Eysuvis is right for you in this situation.

Cataracts. Eysuvis may increase the risk of developing cataracts. If you already have cataracts, Eysuvis could make your condition worse. Talk with your doctor about whether Eysuvis is right for you in this situation.

Eysuvis and alcohol

Eysuvis isn’t known to interact with alcohol.

If you drink alcohol and have questions about consuming alcohol while using Eysuvis, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Doctors don’t know for sure if Eysuvis is safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor about using this medication.

Do not use more Eysuvis than your doctor prescribes. Using more than this can lead to negative effects.

What to do in case you use too much Eysuvis

Call your doctor if you think you’ve used too much Eysuvis. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

If you have questions about using Eysuvis, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Questions you might want to ask include:

  • Does Eysuvis have any long-term side effects?
  • If my dry eye symptoms flare up again, is it safe for me to use Eysuvis for more treatment cycles?
  • Is there a preservative-free version of Eysuvis?

To learn more about Eysuvis, see these articles:

You may also find the following articles about treating dry eye helpful:

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.