Key takeaways:
Restasis (cyclosporine) helps relieve symptoms of chronic dry eye by increasing your natural tear production. Knowing how to use Restasis properly can help make sure you get your full dose.
Restasis is available as single-use vials and a multiple-dose bottle. The steps for using Restasis vary slightly depending on which version you’re using.
Wash your hands before using Restasis. Be careful not to touch the vial or bottle to your eye, finger, or other surfaces, as this can raise your risk for infection.
Restasis is available as a brand-name and generic medication. GoodRx can help you navigate savings opportunities and discounts to get the best price on your prescription.
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Restasis (cyclosporine) is an FDA-approved eye drop used to treat chronic dry eye for people ages 16 and older. Sometimes, inflammation in and around the eye contributes to dry eye symptoms. Experts believe Restasis works by lowering inflammation, allowing your eyes to produce more natural tears. Healthcare professionals may prescribe it if over-the-counter (OTC) dry eye treatments, such as artificial tears, aren’t working well enough on their own.
Proper eye drop placement and consistent use is key in order to get the most benefit from Restasis. And this can be tricky, especially if you’re new to using eye drops. But with practice, this process should get easier and become routine.
Here’s how to use Restasis in 10 simple steps.
How to use Restasis in 10 easy steps
Restasis is available as single-use vials and a multiple-dose bottle (Restasis MultiDose). How to use Restasis varies slightly depending on which form you’re using.
To use Restasis, follow these 10 steps:
Wash your hands with soap and water before handling the vial or bottle. Hand sanitizer is an acceptable alternative if soap and water aren’t available.
Rotate the vial or bottle gently by turning it upside down and right-side up again a few times. Avoid shaking the vial or bottle vigorously.
Open the vial or bottle. If you’re using Restasis MultiDose, don’t throw away the cap.
When starting a new bottle of Restasis MultiDose, prime the bottle by squeezing 2 drops onto a tissue or paper towel. This step isn’t needed or recommended if you’re using a single-use vial.
Tilt your head back and look up.
Create a pocket between your eyeball and eyelid by pulling down your bottom eyelid with one hand.
Hold the vial/bottle upside down with your free hand and squeeze 1 drop into the eyelid pocket.
Let go of your eyelid and close your eye. Gently press your finger on the inner corner of your eye for at least 1 minute.
Repeat steps 5 to 8 for the other eye.
Discard the single-use vial. For the Restasis MultiDose, recap the bottle and store it in a dry place at room temperature for your next dose.
Don’t let the tip of the vial or bottle touch your eye, fingers, or other surfaces. Doing this can hurt your eye and raise your risk for an infection. Don’t use Restasis if the vials or bottle look like they’ve been damaged.
What happens if you put too much Restasis in your eye?
Squeezing an extra drop or two of Restasis into your eye by mistake is unlikely to cause serious harm. Its effects are limited to your eyes, and almost no medication reaches your bloodstream. But extra drops can cause more side effects than usual, such as eye stinging or redness.
Contact your prescriber if you’re experiencing severe or persistent side effects.
How often should you administer Restasis?
The typical Restasis dosage is 1 drop in each eye twice a day, about 12 hours apart. If you also use other eye drops, it’s best to separate them from Restasis by at least 15 minutes. If you use eye ointments, you should use Restasis first, wait 15 minutes, and then apply the ointment.
How long does it take Restasis to work?
It may take up to 6 months to notice significant dry eye relief with Restasis. But some people begin noticing effects within about 1 month after starting it. Generally speaking, the milder your dry eye symptoms are, the sooner you’ll likely feel Restasis start working.
Because it can take time for Restasis to work, your prescriber may recommend an OTC lubricating eye drop in the meantime. Once Restasis starts working, your prescriber may suggest that you stop using lubricating drops.
What to expect: Learn about Restasis (cyclosporine) side effects — from red eyes to blurry vision — and how to manage them.
When does Restasis start working? Pharmacists answer this and other common questions about Restasis.
Restasis savings: Using Restasis shouldn’t have to break the bank. Read how you can save on your Restasis prescription.
Can you use Restasis with contact lenses?
No, you shouldn’t wear contact lenses while administering your Restasis doses. Typically, it’s recommended that people with dry eye avoid wearing contacts as they can worsen symptoms. But if your prescriber has given you the OK to continue wearing them, you should be aware of how to time your eye drops.
Remove your contact lenses before using Restasis. Administer your drops, as described above. Then wait at least 15 minutes after you’ve finished using Restasis to put your contact lenses back in.
How do you dispose of Restasis?
Single-use vials should be discarded after each use, even if there’s extra liquid left in them. This is because they don’t contain preservatives. So once opened, there’s a risk of leftover liquid becoming contaminated with bacteria or other germs.
Restasis MultiDose, on the other hand, can be used until it’s empty. One bottle should last about 30 days. Restasis MultiDose doesn’t contain preservatives either, but the bottle is specially designed to keep germs out between uses.
Restasis single-use vials and Restasis MultiDose bottles can both be recycled. Simply place them with your other plastics when recycling.
How to save on Restasis
Restasis is available as a brand-name medication. But you can also find the single-use vials as a lower-cost generic. GoodRx can help you save on the average retail price of the brand and generic versions of Restasis.
The price of generic Restasis at certain pharmacies is as low as $94.56 with a free GoodRx discount.
There are also ways to save on brand-name Restasis and Restasis MultiDose:
Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible for a savings card from the manufacturer that could lower your prescription cost to $0 for up to a 90-day supply.
Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured or have government insurance, you may be eligible to get Restasis at no cost through the manufacturer’s patient assistance program.
Frequently asked questions
You should wait at least 15 minutes after applying Restasis to use other eye drops or rinses. This gives your eye enough time to absorb the medication. Using other eye drops or rinses too soon may prevent you from getting your full dose of Restasis.
If you’re using single-use Restasis vials, there should be enough liquid in the vial to place 1 drop in each eye. There may be extra liquid left in the vial after applying your drops. This is normal and doesn’t mean you used Restasis incorrectly. Just throw the vial away or recycle with other plastics after applying your drops. Don’t save vials for later use.
If you’re using Restasis MultiDose, you can use the bottle until it’s empty or until its expiration date (whichever happens first). It can be hard to tell if the liquid in your bottle is getting low. But one bottle should last about 30 days. You may want to mark on a calendar when you start a new bottle so you know how long you’ve been using it.
No, you should store Restasis at room temperature (between 59℉ and 77℉) in a cool, dry place. This helps ensure the medication stays stable and effective.
You should wait at least 15 minutes after applying Restasis to use other eye drops or rinses. This gives your eye enough time to absorb the medication. Using other eye drops or rinses too soon may prevent you from getting your full dose of Restasis.
If you’re using single-use Restasis vials, there should be enough liquid in the vial to place 1 drop in each eye. There may be extra liquid left in the vial after applying your drops. This is normal and doesn’t mean you used Restasis incorrectly. Just throw the vial away or recycle with other plastics after applying your drops. Don’t save vials for later use.
If you’re using Restasis MultiDose, you can use the bottle until it’s empty or until its expiration date (whichever happens first). It can be hard to tell if the liquid in your bottle is getting low. But one bottle should last about 30 days. You may want to mark on a calendar when you start a new bottle so you know how long you’ve been using it.
No, you should store Restasis at room temperature (between 59℉ and 77℉) in a cool, dry place. This helps ensure the medication stays stable and effective.
The bottom line
Restasis (cyclosporine) is a prescription eye drop used to treat chronic dry eye. It’s available as single-use vials and a multiple-dose bottle. Instructions for how to use Restasis vary slightly, depending on which version you have. But always wash your hands before placing your drops. And avoid touching the tip of the vial or bottle to your eyes, hands, or other surfaces to help prevent infection.
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References
Allergan. (2024). Restasis multidose- cyclosporine emulsion [package insert].
American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2022). Lubricating eye drops for dry eyes.
Ames, P., et al. (2015). Cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsions for the treatment of dry eye: A review of the clinical evidence. Clinical Investigation.
Devatis. (2025). Cyclosporine- cyclosporine emulsion [package insert].
Halfpenny, C., et al. (2025). Preservatives in topical ophthalmic medications. American Academy of Ophthalmology.
National Eye Institute. (2024). How to put in eye drops.
Rao, S. K., et al. (2022). Inflammation and dry eye disease-where are we? International Journal of Ophthalmology.
U.S. Pharmacist. (2003). How to use eye drops properly.
