Key takeaways
Cequa (cyclosporine) and Restasis (cyclosporine) are both immunosuppressant medications used to treat dry eye by increasing tear production. They belong to the same drug class, calcineurin inhibitors, and are used in the eyes. However, there are some differences between them. Cequa contains 0.09% cyclosporine and is only available as a brand medication, while Restasis contains 0.05% cyclosporine and has a generic version available for its single-use vials. Cequa is typically used in adults, whereas Restasis is approved for people 16 years and older. Cequa may cause eye pain and redness, while Restasis commonly causes a burning sensation in the eye. Cequa is designed to deliver more medication to the inflamed area, whereas Restasis is available in both single-use vials and multi-dose bottles. Both medications should not be used with contact lenses, and you should wait 15 minutes before reinserting them.
