Xiidra vs. Restasis: What Is Better?

Xiidra and Restasis are prescription eye drops used to treat chronic dry eye disease. They both are characterized by high-quality composition, strong effectiveness, and easy application.

In this article, you will be able to check out detailed information on these prescription medications to answer one important question: “Which eye drops, Xiidra or Restasis, are going to do a better job in your case?”

You might safely order Xiidra, Restasis, and a wide range of other brand-name drugs intended for professional use on OgoMed. Take advantage of beneficial prices and wholesale discounts right away!

What Is Xiidra?

Xiidra is a brand-name medication used to treat chronic dry-eye symptoms and signs. Its composition is based on a lifitegrast ophthalmic solution, a substance that works by inhibiting inflammation on the surface of the eye. With its help, Xiidra manages to take care of excessive tear production, the feeling of having something in the eye, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and other unpleasant complications commonly associated with dry eye. It is available in the form of eye drops and belongs to the group of prescription medications used to treat dry eye disease.

What Is Restasis?

Restasis, in turn, also belongs to brand-name medications (topical ophthalmic drugs, when being more precise) used to increase tear production in patients having chronic dry-eye symptoms and signs in their medical history. The main active substance in the composition of the medication is cyclosporine. It is primarily used to reduce inflammation in the glands that produce tears and, therefore, is an optimal treatment option for the treatment of numerous medical conditions associated with dry eye (starting from eye irritation and ending with abnormal eye discharge. Despite a common assumption that Restasis is available in the form of single-use vials, it is primarily an ophthalmic emulsion in the form of eye drops.

What Is Chronic Dry Eye Disease?

Since both Restasis and Xiidra do a great job when it comes to treating dry eye disease, it is important to talk about this chronic health complication in more detail.

Also known as dry eye syndrome or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, chronic dry eye disease is a health condition that occurs either when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly.

Tears are exceptionally essential when it comes to the maintenance of overall health and proper lubrication of the eyes. They not only support the absence of blurry vision but also make it as clear as possible.

As clinical trials show, chronic eye disease might occur due to any of the two below-mentioned factors (or their combination):

• Decreased tear production. This complication, in turn, is closely associated with the aging process. Also, it might occur due to some unwanted drug interactions, hormonal changes, environmental factors, and even excessive usage of contact lenses;
• Increased tear evaporation. Just like the decreased production of tears mentioned above, increased tear evaporation might occur due to a wide range of factors, starting from concentrating on screens for long time periods and ending with allergic reactions to outer factors.

One more possible cause of chronic dry eye disease is meibomian gland dysfunction (also known as MGD). It is a health complication that might have a number of serious side effects, including itchy eyes or goblet cell density.

So, both decreased tear production and increased tear evaporation might lead to chronic dryness of the eyes and make you use prescription eye drop treatment options (like Xiidra or Restasis).

It is also worth mentioning that the most common symptoms of chronic dry eye disease include overall eye dryness, grittiness, irritation, and redness. Also, a person with chronic dry eye disease might experience the feeling of something being in the eyes, blurred vision, excessive sensitivity to light, and excessive tearing as a reflex response to dryness.

Chronic dry eye disease can vary widely depending on its severity (and other factors). It might also cause different adverse effects in different patients. Only a certified eye doctor should define the intensity of chronic dry eye disease in a particular patient or recommend the usage of prescription drops (the so-called artificial tears).

What Are the Similarities and Differences Between Xiidra and Restasis?

Now, let us put Xiidra and Restasis side-by-side. Below, you will find the list of the main similarities and differences between these two medications used to treat dry eye disease.

Similarities

Here is the list of the key similarities between Xiidra and Restasis:

• Both Xiidra and Restasis are brand-name drugs (contrary to other over-the-counter treatments used to reduce eye dryness);
• The main aim of both eye drop treatment options (no matter whether we are talking about Xiidra or Restasis) is to effectively address the symptoms of chronic dryness in the eyes;
• Xiidra and Restasis should be administered to the eyes of a patient in the form of a topical ophthalmic use;
• Even one drop of Xiidra or Restasis might cause a significant improvement in the overall eye condition of a patient without causing an allergic reaction or any other unwanted response of the immune system;
• Restasis and Xiidra cure dry eyes while being administered as drops in the eyes twice daily (more precisely, one drop per eye two times a day unless prescribed differently by an eye doctor).

It is also worth mentioning that both Xiidra and Restasis might be pretty costly. However, they belong to medications frequently covered by health insurance (either fully or partially).

Differences

Key differences between Xiidra and Restasis, in turn, include:

• Xiidra (generic name lifitegrast) works by inhibiting inflammation on the surface of the eye, targeting a specific protein involved in the inflammatory response. While Restasis (generic name cyclosporine) helps increase the production of tears by reducing inflammation in the tear-producing glands;
• Xiidra targets inflammation directly on the surface of the eye to alleviate symptoms of dry eye, while Restasis acts on the immune system to reduce inflammation in the lacrimal glands, thereby increasing the excessive production of tears over time;
• Xiidra may provide relatively quicker relief of symptoms due to its direct action on ocular surface inflammation. While it might take up to six months for a patient to notice a significant difference in the condition of their eyes after starting the usage of Restasis;
• Although common side effects for both medications may include eye irritation, discomfort, and blurred vision, Xiidra also usually causes unusual taste immediately after being administered.

Neither Xiidra nor Restasis tend to cause any serious side effects when used properly. Thus, each medication increases tear production in an exceptionally safe way.

Final Words

All in all, Xiidra and Restasis are great solutions for people living with dry eye symptoms. Although each of them has its own generic form and peculiarities, they both are very safe, qualitative, and easy to use. So, the best option for you to define which medication, Xiidra or Restasis, is going to do a better job in your individual case would be to consult with your eye doctor and receive personalized drug information. No matter which of the two options you eventually select, we are sure you will see visible results and remain satisfied!

If you would like to benefit from a wholesale Restasis price or buy Xiidra advantageously, check out what OgoMed offers. We are looking forward to seeing you as our returning customer!