Key takeaways
Lifitegrast (Xiidra) and cyclosporine (Restasis) are both prescription eye drops used to treat dry eye. They are similar in that they both help reduce inflammation in the eye, but they belong to different medication classes. Lifitegrast is an LFA-1 antagonist, while cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant known as a calcineurin inhibitor. Lifitegrast is typically used twice a day, with one drop in each eye, and is only available as a brand medication. Cyclosporine is also used twice daily, but it has a generic version available in single-use vials. Lifitegrast may provide symptom relief as early as two weeks, whereas cyclosporine can take up to six months for full effects. Common side effects of lifitegrast include eye irritation and a strange taste in the mouth, while Cyclosporine often causes a burning sensation in the eye. Both medications require careful handling to avoid contamination, but cyclosporine has a multi-dose option that allows for repeated use from the same bottle.
