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Restasis and Cost What You Need to Know

Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Scheffel, PharmD — By Jennifer Mitri Williamson, Pharm.D. on September 24, 2022

Introduction

If you’re looking at treatment options for dry eye, you may want to learn more about Restasis (cyclosporine). Restasis is a prescription drug that’s used to treat dry eye disease in adults and some children. Restasis comes as an emulsion that you use as eye drops. (An emulsion is a combination of liquids that don’t mix into one solution.) The drug is available in two forms:Restasis, which comes in single-dose vialsRestasis MultiDose, which is the same drug packaged in an eye-dropper bottle containing multiple doses The active ingredient in Restasis is cyclosporine. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Keep reading for details on Restasis and cost, and how to save money on prescriptions. Note: For more details on Restasis, see this in-depth article.

What is the price of Restasis eye drops

The price you pay for Restasis can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use. It can also depend on whether your doctor prescribes Restasis or Restasis MultiDose. To find out how much you’ll pay for Restasis, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Restasis. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Restasis in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Restasis requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug. Be sure to ask your insurance company whether Restasis requires prior authorization.

FAQs about price and Restasis

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Restasis and cost.

Is a manufacturer coupon available for Restasis

No, there is no manufacturer coupon available for Restasis. But if you have commercial insurance (insurance that is not federal- or state-funded), you may be eligible for a savings card through the My Tears, My Rewards program. For details about this program or to see if you qualify, call 844-469-8327 or visit the program’s website. For more resources that may help lower the cost of Restasis, see the “Can I get help paying for Restasis ” section below. Your doctor or pharmacist may also have suggestions for ways to save on the price of the drug.

Can I use a Restasis coupon if I have Medicare coverage

No, you cannot use a Restasis coupon if you have any federal- or state-funded insurance. This includes Medicare and Medicaid. If you need help paying for your medication, you may qualify for other assistance through a program called myAbbVie Assist. To learn more about this program, call 800-222-6885 or visit the program’s webpage. For more resources that may help you save on the price of Restasis, see the “Can I get help paying for Restasis ” section below. Also ask your doctor or pharmacist if they can recommend ways to save on the price of the drug.

How much does Restasis cost with insurance

Your cost for Restasis with insurance depends on many different factors, including:which form of Restasis you use (Restasis or Restasis MultiDose)your insurance planthe pharmacy that you usewhether you qualify for the Restasis savings card It’s likely that Restasis will cost less with insurance than without insurance. If you have insurance, contact your insurance provider to find out how much you’ll pay for Restasis with your insurance plan. But if you don’t have insurance, ask your doctor or pharmacist what your cost for Restasis will be.

Where is the cheapest place to buy Restasis

If you’re looking for the best price for Restasis and you have insurance, you might want to contact your insurance provider. Some insurance providers have preferred pharmacies, and your medication may cost less at these pharmacies. If you don’t have insurance, see the “Can I get help paying for Restasis ” section below for resources that may help you save on the cost of Restasis. In addition, your doctor or pharmacist may have suggestions on ways to lower the cost of your prescription.

Is Restasis available as a generic

In the single-dose vial form, Restasis is available as the generic drug cyclosporine. But Restasis Multidose only comes as a brand-name drug. It’s not currently available in a generic version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic is considered to be just as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics generally cost less than brand-name drugs. To find out how the costs of Restasis and cyclosporine eye drops compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. If you’ve been prescribed Restasis and you’re interested in using cyclosporine instead, talk with your doctor. They may prefer that you take one version instead of the other. In addition, you’ll need to check with your insurance provider. This is because it may only cover one drug or the other.Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics? Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The maker of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

How can I lower my long-term drug costs

If you take Restasis long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways: Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Restasis if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Restasis. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for Restasis. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through 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.

Can I get help paying for Restasis

If you need help covering the cost of Restasis or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:NeedyMedsMedicine Assistance Tool On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services. If you have commercial insurance (insurance that is not federal- or state-funded), you may be eligible for a savings card through the My Tears, My Rewards program. For details about this program or to see if you qualify, call 844-469-8327 or visit the program’s website. In addition, you may qualify for other assistance through a program called myAbbVie Assist. To learn more about this program, call 800-222-6885 or visit the program’s webpage. If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What should my next steps be

If you still have questions about the cost of Restasis, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Restasis. Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:What is the difference in price between Restasis and Restasis MultiDose?Are there other lower-cost drugs that could treat my dry eye?What other options do I have if I can’t afford Restasis or Restasis MultiDose? To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others. Disclaimer: Healthline 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. Last medically reviewed on September 24, 2022

How we vetted this article

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Restasis (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion) 0.05%. (2017).
media.allergan.com/actavis/actavis/media/allergan-pdf-documents/product-prescribing/Combined-Restasis-and-MultiDose-PI_8-3-17.pdfRestasis MultiDose (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion) 0.05%. (2016).
media.allergan.com/actavis/actavis/media/allergan-pdf-documents/product-prescribing/Combined-Restasis-and-MultiDose-PI_8-3-17.pdf#page=7Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Current Version Sep 24, 2022 By Jennifer Mitri Williamson Edited By Phoebe Campbell Medically Reviewed By Elizabeth Scheffel, PharmD Share this articleMedically reviewed by Elizabeth Scheffel, PharmD — By Jennifer Mitri Williamson, Pharm.D. on September 24, 2022

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