Key takeaways
Tyrvaya (varenicline) and Restasis (cyclosporine) are both medications used to treat dry eye, but they belong to different medication classes. Tyrvaya is a cholinergic agonist available as a nasal spray, while Restasis is an immunosuppressant known as a calcineurin inhibitor, available as eye drops. Tyrvaya is typically used twice a day with one spray in each nostril, whereas Restasis is used as one drop in the affected eye(s) twice a day. Tyrvaya is only available as a brand-name medication, while Restasis has a lower-cost generic option available for its single-use vials. Common side effects of Tyrvaya include sneezing and throat irritation, while Restasis often causes a burning sensation in the eye. Tyrvaya works quickly, sometimes within 5 minutes, but Restasis may take up to 6 months to show improvement.
