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Compare Xiidra vs. Rhopressa

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Xiidra (lifitegrast) and Rhopressa (netarsudil) are both prescription eye drop medications, but they treat different conditions. Xiidra is used to treat dry eyes. It is an LFA-1 (lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1) antagonist, which helps reduce inflammation in the eyes. On the other hand, Rhopressa is used to lower eye pressure in people with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. It is a ROCK (rho kinase) inhibitor, which helps drain fluid from the eye. Xiidra is typically applied twice daily, while Rhopressa is used once daily at night. Xiidra and Rhopressa are only available as a brand name medication. Common side effects of Xiidra include eye irritation and blurry vision, while Rhopressa often causes eye redness and cornea deposits.

  • Xiidra (lifitegrast)
    Rhopressa (netarsudil)
  • Xiidra (lifitegrast)
    Rhopressa (netarsudil)

  • Summary of Xiidra vs. Rhopressa

    Summary for LFA-1 antagonist
    Prescription only

    Xiidra (lifitegrast) is an eye drop medication that treats dry eye. Typically, you apply one drop two times every day. Common side effects of Xiidra (lifitegrast) can include temporary eye irritation and unclear vision after using the eye drops. At this time, Xiidra (lifitegrast) is available only as a brand medication; there's no generic version yet.

    Summary for ROCK inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Rhopressa, also known by its generic name, netarsudil, is an eye drop medication used to lower eye pressure in people with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. It received FDA approval in December 2017 and belongs to a newer class of medications called ROCK (rho kinase) inhibitors. The medication is given as a drop into the affected eye(s) once every night. Common side effects include eye redness and blurry vision.

  • Indications of Xiidra vs. Rhopressa

    Indications for
    •Dry eyes
    Indications for
    •Lowering pressure in the eye in people with ocular hypertension (high pressure in the eye) or open-angle glaucoma

  • Pros and Cons of Xiidra vs. Rhopressa

    Pros and Const for LFA-1 antagonist
    Pros
    •Works to provide long-term relief of dry eye
    •Might be less likely to cause burning in the eyes than Restasis (cyclosporine) eye drops
    •Preservative-free
    Cons
    •Won't give you instant relief and have to take for a couple weeks before it starts working
    •Can't use for people younger than 17 years old
    •Only available as a brand medication
    Pros and Const for ROCK inhibitor
    Pros
    •Can be used with other glaucoma medications to further lower eye pressure
    •Doesn't cause the color of your eye to darken like other eye drops
    •Only needs to be used once in the evening
    Cons
    •Eye redness is a very common side effect
    •No lower-cost generic available
    •Its role in treatment isn't clear yet

  • Common Side Effects of Xiidra vs. Rhopressa

    Common Side Effects for
    •Eye irritation (5-25%)
    •Unusual taste in the mouth (5-25%)
    •Unclear vision (5-25%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Eye redness (53%)
    •Cornea deposits (20%)
    •Eye pain when putting the drop in the eye (20%)
    •Red spot on the white of your eye (20%)

  • Warnings of Xiidra vs. Rhopressa

    Common Side Effects for
    •Risk of contamination
    Common Side Effects for
    •Risk for bacterial eye infection when using contaminated medication
    •Not for use with contact lenses

  • Prices with our coupons for Xiidra vs. Rhopressa

    Learn more about Xiidra
    Learn more about Rhopressa

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