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Medications for Dry Eye Disease (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca)

Other names: Dry Eye Syndrome; Keratitis Sicca

A persistent dryness of the cornea and conjunctiva due to decreased function of the tear glands. the cornea may be thickened and visual acuity may be decreased. See also conjunctivitis, tearing, decreased, vitamin a deficiency, and sjogren syndrome.

Drugs used to treat Dry Eye Disease

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

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Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Restasis 4.5 215 reviews for Restasis to treat Dry Eye Disease
Rx C N
Generic name:
cyclosporine ophthalmic
Drug class:
miscellaneous ophthalmic agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
cyclosporine 4.5 263 reviews for cyclosporine to treat Dry Eye Disease
Rx C N
Generic name:
cyclosporine ophthalmic
Brand names:
Restasis, Cequa, Vevye
Drug class:
miscellaneous ophthalmic agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Tyrvaya 8.0 38 reviews for Tyrvaya to treat Dry Eye Disease
Rx C N X
Generic name:
varenicline systemic
Drug class:
cholinergic agonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
varenicline 8.0 38 reviews for varenicline to treat Dry Eye Disease
Rx C N X
Generic name:
varenicline systemic
Brand name:
Tyrvaya
Drug class:
cholinergic agonists, smoking cessation agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Eysuvis 9.7 7 reviews for Eysuvis to treat Dry Eye Disease
Rx C N
Generic name:
loteprednol ophthalmic
Drug class:
ophthalmic steroids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
loteprednol 9.8 8 reviews for loteprednol to treat Dry Eye Disease
Rx C N
Generic name:
loteprednol ophthalmic
Brand name:
Eysuvis
Drug class:
ophthalmic steroids
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Xiidra 3.8 299 reviews for Xiidra to treat Dry Eye Disease
Rx N
Generic name:
lifitegrast ophthalmic
Drug class:
ophthalmic anti-inflammatory agents
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Systane 2.0 93 reviews for Systane to treat Dry Eye Disease
OTC N N
Generic name:
ocular lubricant ophthalmic
Drug class:
ophthalmic lubricants and irrigations
For consumers:
side effects
Cequa 4.5 32 reviews for Cequa to treat Dry Eye Disease
Rx C N
Generic name:
cyclosporine ophthalmic
Drug class:
miscellaneous ophthalmic agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Artificial Tears Rate Add review
OTC N N
Generic name:
ocular lubricant ophthalmic
Drug class:
ophthalmic lubricants and irrigations
For consumers:
side effects
Refresh 5.5 2 reviews for Refresh to treat Dry Eye Disease
OTC N N
Generic name:
ocular lubricant ophthalmic
Drug class:
ophthalmic lubricants and irrigations
For consumers:
side effects
Systane Ultra 2.0 26 reviews for Systane Ultra to treat Dry Eye Disease
OTC N N
Generic name:
ocular lubricant ophthalmic
Drug class:
ophthalmic lubricants and irrigations
For consumers:
side effects
Lacrisert 8.4 13 reviews for Lacrisert to treat Dry Eye Disease
Rx N N
Generic name:
ocular lubricant ophthalmic
Drug class:
ophthalmic lubricants and irrigations
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
lifitegrast 3.8 303 reviews for lifitegrast to treat Dry Eye Disease
Rx N
Generic name:
lifitegrast ophthalmic
Brand name:
Xiidra
Drug class:
ophthalmic anti-inflammatory agents
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Refresh Tears 5.0 2 reviews for Refresh Tears to treat Dry Eye Disease
OTC N N
Generic name:
ocular lubricant ophthalmic
Drug class:
ophthalmic lubricants and irrigations
For consumers:
side effects
Vevye Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
cyclosporine ophthalmic
Drug class:
miscellaneous ophthalmic agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Refresh Liquigel 9.0 1 review for Refresh Liquigel to treat Dry Eye Disease
OTC N N
Generic name:
ocular lubricant ophthalmic
Drug class:
ophthalmic lubricants and irrigations
For consumers:
side effects
Systane Balance 2.6 9 reviews for Systane Balance to treat Dry Eye Disease
OTC N N
Generic name:
ocular lubricant ophthalmic
Drug class:
ophthalmic lubricants and irrigations
For consumers:
side effects
TheraTears 10 1 review for TheraTears to treat Dry Eye Disease
OTC N N
Generic name:
ocular lubricant ophthalmic
Drug class:
ophthalmic lubricants and irrigations
For consumers:
side effects
FreshKote 5.8 6 reviews for FreshKote to treat Dry Eye Disease
OTC N N
Generic name:
ocular lubricant ophthalmic
Drug class:
ophthalmic lubricants and irrigations
For consumers:
side effects
Lubricant Eye Drops 1.0 3 reviews for Lubricant Eye Drops to treat Dry Eye Disease
OTC N N
Generic name:
ocular lubricant ophthalmic
Drug class:
ophthalmic lubricants and irrigations
For consumers:
side effects
Refresh Optive Rate Add review
OTC N N
Generic name:
ocular lubricant ophthalmic
Drug class:
ophthalmic lubricants and irrigations
For consumers:
side effects
Refresh Plus 8.0 1 review for Refresh Plus to treat Dry Eye Disease
OTC N N
Generic name:
ocular lubricant ophthalmic
Drug class:
ophthalmic lubricants and irrigations
For consumers:
side effects
Akwa Tears Rate Add review
OTC N N
Generic name:
ocular lubricant ophthalmic
Drug class:
ophthalmic lubricants and irrigations
For consumers:
side effects
GenTeal Rate Add review
OTC N N
Generic name:
ocular lubricant ophthalmic
Drug class:
ophthalmic lubricants and irrigations
For consumers:
side effects

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Learn more about Dry Eye Disease

Care guides

Symptoms and treatments

Medicine.com guides (external)

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.