Restasis (cyclosporine) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for chronic dry eye in adults and certain children. As with other drugs, Restasis can cause side effects, such as a burning sensation in your eye.

Restasis can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Restasis in clinical trials:

  • eye redness
  • watery eyes
  • eye pain
  • burning sensation in the eye*

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Restasis use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Restasis’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Restasis include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Restasis and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Restasis. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

While they are not common, Restasis may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Restasis’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Restasis, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

  • Eye injury. This wasn’t reported in clinical trials, but it can happen if the applicator tip touches your eye. Symptoms can include:
    • eye redness
    • eye irritation
    • blurry vision
  • Eye infection.*
  • Severe allergic reaction.†

* An eye infection is possible if the eye drop solution becomes contaminated with bacteria. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. For more information, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Restasis. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Restasis may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Can Restasis cause long-term side effects?

No, Restasis isn’t known to cause any long-term side effects. Any side effects you experience should go away after you stop using the drug.

If you have any concerns about long-term side effects with Restasis, talk with your doctor.

Are withdrawal symptoms possible with Restasis?

No, withdrawal symptoms aren’t expected after you stop treatment with Restasis. However, this drug is prescribed to treat symptoms of chronic dry eye. After you stop using it, your dry eye symptoms may return.

Talk with your doctor before stopping treatment with Restasis. They may be able to recommend other treatment options for you.

Does Restasis cause hair loss?

No, it shouldn’t. Hair loss wasn’t a reported side effect in clinical trials of Restasis. In fact, hair growth is a commonly reported side effect with oral forms of cyclosporine (the active drug in Restasis). However, Restasis is not expected to cause this side effect.

If you have any concerns or questions about hair loss while using Restasis, talk with your doctor.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Restasis may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Restasis.

Burning sensation in your eye

It’s possible for Restasis to cause a burning sensation in the eye. This is because Restasis is an eye drop solution that’s applied directly to your eye.

The burning sensation was a commonly reported side effect in the drug’s clinical trials. It is usually temporary and goes away quickly after you apply the drops.

What you can do

To help reduce burning and other discomfort when using Restasis, you can place the medication in the refrigerator for a few minutes before use. However, you should not keep Restasis in the refrigerator for longer than a few minutes. Restasis is meant to be stored at room temperature.

If the burning or stinging in your eyes is bothersome or lasts for more than 15 minutes, talk with your doctor. They can examine your eyes to determine what may be causing these symptoms. They can also recommend other ways to manage your discomfort.

Eye infection

It’s possible to get an eye infection when using Restasis drops. This side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials, but it can happen if the bottle or vial gets contaminated with bacteria. The bacteria can then spread to your eye when you use the drops.

Symptoms of an infection can include:

  • eye redness
  • the sensation of an object in your eye
  • discharge from your eye

What you can do

Be careful to not touch the tip of the bottle or vial with your fingers. When applying the drops, don’t let the tip of the bottle or vial touch your eye or eyelid. This could spread bacteria to your eye.

If you notice any symptoms of an eye infection, tell your doctor right away.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Restasis can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Restasis. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Restasis. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These include:

Contact lenses: Restasis is an eyedrop solution that you’ll apply to your eyes. If you wear contact lenses, talk with your doctor before you start using Restasis. They will advise you to remove your contact lenses before each dose. After applying the eye drops, it’s important to wait at least 15 minutes before wearing your contact lenses again.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Restasis or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Restasis. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding: If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding your child, Restasis is likely safe for you to use. However, it’s important to talk with your doctor about the possible side effects of Restasis during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Alcohol consumption: If you drink alcohol, Restasis is likely safe for you to use. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how much alcohol, if any, is safe for you to consume while using Restasis.

Like most medications, Restasis can cause side effects. Most are mild and usually go away on their own after a few days to weeks.

If you’d like to learn more about Restasis, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information about Restasis: For details about other aspects of Restasis, refer to this article.
  • Cost: If you’d like to learn about Restasis and cost, see this article.
  • Drug comparison: To learn how Restasis compares with Cequa, read this article. To learn how it compares with Xiidra, refer to this article.
  • Dosage: For information about the dosage of Restasis, view this article.
  • A look at dry eye: For details 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.