Xiidra
Xiidra (lifitegrast) is an eye drop medication that treats dry eye in adults. It belongs to a drug class called LFA-1 antagonists. It's thought help lower inflammation and other symptoms of dry eye. Usually, you need to use Xiidra (lifitegrast) every day. You put 1 drop into each eye twice a day. Side effects include temporary eye irritation and unclear vision. At this time, Xiidra (lifitegrast) is available only as a brand medication. There's no generic version yet.
What is Xiidra (lifitegrast)?
What is Xiidra (lifitegrast) used for?
How Xiidra (lifitegrast) works
Xiidra (lifitegrast) is a lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) antagonist. It blocks a protein called LFA-1.
LFA-1 normally causes an immune response in the eye. This can lead to inflammation (e.g., redness, swelling) and dry eye.
It's not exactly clear how Xiidra (lifitegrast) works to help with dry eye. But it's thought that by blocking LFA-1, it helps lower inflammation and ease dry eye symptoms.
Drug facts
More on Xiidra (lifitegrast) essentials
Side effects of Xiidra (lifitegrast)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Eye irritation (5-25%)
- Strange taste in the mouth (5-25%)
- Unclear vision (5-25%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Blurred vision
- Eye redness
- Watery eye
- Eye discharge
- Eye discomfort
- Itchy eye
- Headache
- Sinus infection
The following Xiidra (lifitegrast) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- New or worsening eye pain, redness, irritation, or discharge
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Blurry vision
- Change in taste
- Eye irritation or itching
- Headache
- Increased tears after use
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Pros and cons of Xiidra (lifitegrast)
Pros
- Works to help treat dry eye in the long run
- Might be less likely to cause burning in the eyes than Restasis (cyclosporine)
Cons
- Won't give you instant relief and have to take for a couple weeks before it starts working
- Not approved for people younger than 17 years old
Pharmacist tips for Xiidra (lifitegrast)
- Keep the single-use containers of Xiidra (lifitegrast) at room temperature. Don't take them out of the foil pouch until you're ready to use the medication. These pouches help protect the medication from light.
- Wash your hands before each time you use Xiidra (lifitegrast). Also don't let the tip of the container touch your eye or any other surface. This helps you avoid getting germs in your eyes, which can prevent eye infections.
- If you wear contact lenses, take them out before using Xiidra (lifitegrast). Then, wait at least 15 minutes afterwards to put them back in.
- Use the eye drops right after you open the Xiidra (lifitegrast) container. Each container has enough medication for 1 drop in both eyes.
- How to use Xiidra (lifitegrast) eye drops: Hold the container upright, and tap the top to move all the medication to the bottom. Twist off the tab to open it. Tilt your head backwards or lie down with your face up. Then, gently pull down your lower eyelid. While looking up, squeeze out 1 drop into the space between your lower eyelid and your eye. If you miss, you can try again. Do the same thing for the other eye.
- After placing Xiidra (lifitegrast) in your eye, close your eye and press one finger to the inner corner of your eye by the nose for a couple minutes. This helps your eye absorb the drop and that not too much medication drains into your tear duct.
- Throw away the Xiidra (lifitegrast) container after using it, even if there's some medication left. It doesn't have any preservatives in it. This can make it easier for germs to grow in any leftover medication. Using it again could lead to eye infections.
- If you need to use another eye medication with Xiidra (lifitegrast), wait at least 5 minutes between them. This gives your eye time to absorb each medication.
Common questions about Xiidra (lifitegrast)
No, Xiidra (lifitegrast) isn't a steroid eye drop. Instead, it's a different kind of medication called an LFA-1 antagonist. Both steroid eye drops and Xiidra (lifitegrast) help lower inflammation in the eye. But they work in different ways. Steroids block many inflammatory chemicals. But Xiidra (lifitegrast) blocks one specific protein called LFA-1 that plays a role in eye inflammation.
In studies, hair loss wasn't a reported side effect of Xiidra (lifitegrast). If you notice hair loss while using this medication, talk to your primary care provider. They can check to see if something else is causing it.
Xiidra (lifitegrast) doesn't really stay in your system. This is because only a small amount gets absorbed into your body after you place a drop in the eye. Talk to your prescriber if you have other questions about this.
Yes. Side effects from Xiidra (lifitegrast) usually go away soon after using the eye drops. These can include eye irritation, a strange taste in the mouth, and unclear or blurry vision. In a study, people said that blurry vision went away within minutes. Most times, these side effects also tend to be mild to moderate. If you have any side effects that bother you or don't go away, talk to your prescriber.
In studies, some people reported having improvement in their dry eye symptoms in as early as 2 weeks of starting Xiidra (lifitegrast). For others, it can take up to 6 weeks or more to get the full effects of the medication. Keep in mind that you should be using Xiidra (lifitegrast) every day for it to work the best it can. Ask your prescriber if you have questions about how long it should take the medication to help with your dry eye.
There are no known problems with using Xiidra (lifitegrast) and artificial tears together. It might take a few weeks of regular use for Xiidra (lifitegrast) to start improving dry eye symptoms. So in the meantime, it might be helpful to use artificial tears for instant (but temporary) relief. If you use both, make sure to wait at least 5 minutes between them to give your eyes time to absorb each medication. Keep in mind that using artificial tears too often or for too long might also cause problems. Ask your prescriber if using artificial tears with Xiidra (lifitegrast) is right for you.
Eye damage from Xiidra (lifitegrast) isn't a common concern. Still, take care to put the eye drops in correctly. This helps avoid scratching or damaging your eye.
Xiidra (lifitegrast) and Restasis (cyclosporine) both eye drops for dry eye. They're both used twice a day every day. But the two medications do have some differences. This includes how fast they might relieve dry eye and what side effects they might cause. In a study, some people might feel symptom relief as early as 2 weeks after starting Xiidra. In another study, some people used Restasis for a month or longer before they started feeling better. Restasis can also cause a severe burning feeling in the eyes. This side effect doesn't seem to happen as often or be as bad with Xiidra. Xiidra has a balance of electrolytes and water that similar to that of natural tears. This might be the reason why it feels more gentle with Xiidra. Talk to your prescriber to compare the medications.
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Risks and warnings for Xiidra (lifitegrast)
Xiidra (lifitegrast) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk of contamination
Remember to wash your hands before using Xiidra (lifitegrast). Don't touch the tip of the Xiidra (lifitegrast) container with your fingers. And don't let the tip touch your eye or any surface. These steps help prevent the medication from getting contaminated with germs. This lowers your chance of eye infection and injury to the eye.
Xiidra (lifitegrast) dosage
Carton| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 ampules of 5% | 1 carton | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Typical dosage for Xiidra (lifitegrast)
The typical dose is 1 drop into each eye twice daily (about 12 hours apart).
How much does Xiidra (lifitegrast) cost?
$0.00
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