Restasis (cyclosporine) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to increase tear production in adults and children ages 16 years and older with chronic dry eye.
For more information about Restasis’s uses, refer to this article.
Drug details
Here are some details about Restasis:
- Drug form: single-use or multi-use eye drops
- Generic versions: cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion
Read on to learn about Restasis and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions.
As with all medications, the cost of Restasis can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:
- your treatment plan and insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- whether Restasis has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)
To find out what the cost of Restasis will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Note: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Restasis. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Restasis in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered. If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether Restasis requires prior authorization.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Restasis.
Is there a manufacturer coupon available for Restasis eye drops?
Yes. The program is called My Tears, My Rewards. You can see if you’re eligible for this program and sign up here.
To find out your cost without insurance, ask your pharmacist for a “cash price” for Restasis. That’s the amount you’ll pay out of pocket with no coupons or insurance. The price may be different at different pharmacies. If you’re looking for the cheapest place to buy Restasis, you may want to check a few different pharmacies.
Does Restasis have a coupon for Medicare?
No, there’s no coupon for Restasis if you have Medicare.
If you have questions about your cost of Restasis through Medicare, contact your Medicare provider for details.
What does Restasis cost with insurance?
What you pay for Restasis (your copay) depends on what type of insurance you have. Insurance companies have a list of drugs covered, known as a formulary. You can contact your insurance provider to find out if Restasis is on their formulary and what your cost may be.
The active ingredient of Restasis is cyclosporine. It’s available as the generic drug cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion. A generic drug is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
If your doctor has prescribed Restasis and you’re interested in using cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one or the other.
To find out how the cost of this generic drug compares with the cost of Restasis, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BRAND-NAME DRUGS VS. GENERIC DRUGS?Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell it for up to 20 years. When the brand-name drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create generic versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for generics. Also, because generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.
If you take Restasis long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.
Getting a 3-month supply
You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Restasis. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Using a mail-order pharmacy
Restasis may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.
If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.
If you need financial support to pay for Restasis, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:
- A program called My Tears, My Rewards is available for Restasis. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 844-469-8327or visit the program website.
- Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:
To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and Restasis, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Restasis. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Restasis.
Here are some other resources you may find helpful:
- Medicare drug coverage. To learn about Medicare coverage for drugs, see these articles about Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
- More details. For details about other aspects of Restasis, refer to this article.
- Side effects. For details about Restasis’ side effects, see this article. You can also look at the Restasis prescribing information.
- Information about chronic dry eye. For more information about chronic dry eye, see our eye health hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.