When Should I Stop Using Xiidra? Key Indicators and Considerations

October 7, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 16 million Americans are affected by dry eye disease, and Xiidra is one prescription medication used to treat its underlying inflammation. While often effective, there are specific circumstances and side effects that indicate when you should stop using Xiidra and consult your eye care provider.

Quick Summary

This guide covers the crucial reasons for discontinuing Xiidra, including immediate cessation for severe allergic reactions and considering other options for persistent side effects or lack of efficacy. It also details the nature of dry eye treatment and potential alternatives.

Key Points

Immediate Stop: Seek emergency help and stop using Xiidra for severe allergic reactions, including difficulty breathing, hives, or swelling of the face or throat.
Severe Ocular Symptoms: Discontinue use and contact your doctor for severe eye pain, vision problems, or severe redness that does not resolve.
Persistent Side Effects: If bothersome side effects like blurred vision or unusual taste persist despite continued use, talk to your doctor about switching treatments.
Lack of Efficacy: If your symptoms do not improve after 8 to 12 weeks of consistent use, consult your eye doctor to explore other dry eye treatments.
Symptom Recurrence: Be aware that dry eye symptoms will likely return after stopping Xiidra, as it manages rather than cures the condition.
Consider Alternatives: Other prescription and non-prescription options, such as Restasis or Tyrvaya, are available and may be a better fit.

Xiidra (lifitegrast) is a prescription eye drop designed to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) by targeting inflammation in the eyes. For many, it provides significant and lasting relief, but it is not the right fit for everyone. Knowing when to stop using Xiidra is a vital part of managing your dry eye condition safely and effectively. Discontinuing the medication should always be done in consultation with your healthcare provider.

When to Stop Xiidra Immediately

In some cases, stopping Xiidra is a medical necessity that requires immediate action. These situations are related to severe allergic or hypersensitivity reactions, which, though rare, can be serious.

Severe Allergic Reactions

If you experience any signs of a serious allergic reaction, you should stop using Xiidra immediately and seek emergency medical help. These symptoms include:

Breathing problems, wheezing, or tightness in the throat
Swelling of the eye, face, tongue, or lips
Hives, skin rash, or severe itching
Racing heart, dizziness, or fainting
Nausea or vomiting

Severe Eye-Related Symptoms

While mild eye irritation is a common and often temporary side effect, severe or worsening symptoms should prompt you to contact your doctor immediately. These include:

Severe eye pain
Severe redness or irritation in the eye that does not improve
Sudden or significant vision problems

When to Consider Discontinuing Xiidra with Your Doctor

Beyond emergency situations, there are several reasons to discuss discontinuing Xiidra with your eye doctor. These typically involve balancing the medication's benefits against its drawbacks, such as persistent side effects or a lack of therapeutic effect.

Persistent and Intolerable Side Effects

Some common side effects, such as eye irritation, blurred vision, and unusual taste, can be bothersome and may persist for some individuals. While they often subside over time, a prolonged and troublesome side effect is a valid reason to re-evaluate treatment.

Persistent Blurred Vision: Temporary blurred vision right after applying the drops is common, but if it lasts for a significant amount of time or does not clear, it can impact daily life. Your doctor may suggest stopping the medication if this becomes a long-term issue.
Intolerable Taste Sensation (Dysgeusia): An unusual, metallic, or unpleasant taste is a frequent complaint. If this side effect does not improve with continued use and is a significant nuisance, your doctor may recommend an alternative treatment.

Inadequate Treatment Response

Xiidra is not effective for everyone. Dry eye disease has multiple causes, and Xiidra's anti-inflammatory mechanism may not address the primary issue for all patients. In clinical studies, it can take up to 12 weeks for maximum benefits to be realized.

No Improvement After 12 Weeks: If you have used Xiidra consistently for at least 8 to 12 weeks and your symptoms have not improved, or have worsened, it is time to consult your doctor. They can assess your condition and explore other treatment options.

Long-Term Treatment Considerations

Dry eye disease is often a chronic condition requiring long-term management. Xiidra is typically used for extended periods, but patients sometimes decide to stop for other reasons, such as cost or a preference for alternative therapies. It is important to note that stopping Xiidra will likely lead to a gradual return of dry eye symptoms.

Comparison of Xiidra and Alternatives

If you need to stop using Xiidra, your doctor can discuss other prescription or lifestyle-based alternatives. Both Xiidra and its competitor, Restasis, are prescription anti-inflammatory agents, but they differ in their active ingredients and onset of action.

Xiidra vs. Restasis Comparison Table


Feature	Xiidra (Lifitegrast)	Restasis (Cyclosporine)
Mechanism of Action	Blocks the interaction of LFA-1 and ICAM-1 proteins to reduce inflammation.	Works as an immunosuppressant to increase natural tear production and reduce inflammation.
Onset of Action	Can show symptom relief as early as 2 weeks, with maximum benefit often by 12 weeks.	May take up to 3 to 6 months to achieve the full effect.
Common Side Effects	Eye irritation, unusual taste sensation (dysgeusia), blurred vision, headache.	Temporary burning sensation, eye irritation, eye redness, eye discharge.
Formulation	Preservative-free ophthalmic solution in single-use vials.	Ophthalmic emulsion available in single-use vials and a multi-dose bottle.
Other Alternatives	Cequa, Tyrvaya, Eysuvis.	Xiidra, Cequa, Tyrvaya.

Conclusion

Deciding when to stop using Xiidra is a decision that should be made carefully with your healthcare provider. Immediate cessation is necessary for serious allergic reactions or severe, worsening eye symptoms. For persistent side effects that outweigh the benefits, or if no improvement is seen after 12 weeks, a discussion with your doctor is warranted. Dry eye is a chronic condition, and stopping Xiidra will likely cause symptoms to return, so a plan for alternative treatment should be discussed. Exploring other prescription options like Restasis, Cequa, or Tyrvaya, or non-prescription treatments, can help you continue managing your dry eye effectively.

Further Resources

Xiidra.com: https://www.xiidra.com/resources/

Frequently Asked Questions

Stopping Xiidra abruptly is not harmful, as it does not cause withdrawal symptoms. However, because it manages a chronic condition, your dry eye symptoms will likely return gradually over time after discontinuation.

Some patients may experience initial relief within 2 to 3 weeks of starting treatment. For the full benefits of Xiidra to be realized, consistent use for 8 to 12 weeks is typically required.

If side effects like blurred vision or an unusual taste persist and bother you, talk to your doctor. They can evaluate your symptoms and determine if switching to a different treatment is the best course of action.

You should not stop using Xiidra unless instructed by your doctor. Your eye doctor can help assess your situation, manage any recurring symptoms, and provide a plan for transitioning to another therapy if needed.

Yes, it is possible to switch from Xiidra to Restasis, or another alternative, if your doctor recommends it. Neither medication has known withdrawal symptoms, but your doctor will provide guidance on the timing of the transition.

No, Xiidra is not a cure for dry eye disease, but rather a long-term treatment to manage its signs and symptoms by targeting inflammation. Continued use is necessary to maintain symptom relief.

If Xiidra isn't right for you, alternatives include other prescription drops like Restasis (cyclosporine) and Cequa (cyclosporine), as well as a nasal spray called Tyrvaya.