When Should You Stop Using Restasis?: A Comprehensive Guide

October 9, 2025 •

3 min read

According to clinical studies, Restasis may take up to 6 months to reach its full therapeutic effect. However, there are specific and important medical reasons for considering when you should stop using Restasis. Always consult your eye care provider before discontinuing your medication.

Quick Summary

Restasis discontinuation may be necessary due to allergic reactions, infection, or lack of effectiveness, but should always involve a doctor's guidance. Abrupt cessation does not cause withdrawal, though dry eye symptoms will likely return.

Key Points

Allergic Reactions Require Immediate Discontinuation: Severe symptoms like hives or difficulty breathing necessitate stopping Restasis and seeking emergency care.
Infection is a Reason to Stop: If you suspect an eye infection from contamination, stop using the drops and contact your doctor immediately.
Long-term Therapy is Common: Restasis is typically a long-term medication, and stopping it often leads to a recurrence of dry eye symptoms.
Be Patient for Results: Restasis may take 3 to 6 months to reach maximum effectiveness, so do not stop prematurely if you don't see immediate results.
Consult a Doctor for Guidance: All decisions regarding discontinuing Restasis should be made in consultation with an eye care professional.
No Withdrawal Symptoms are Expected: You will not experience withdrawal symptoms when stopping Restasis, though your dry eye symptoms are likely to return.

Restasis (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion) is a prescription eye drop used to increase tear production in patients with chronic dry eye. While it is often a long-term treatment, there are several key reasons why a patient might need or want to discontinue its use. It is critical to consult with an ophthalmologist or other eye care professional before stopping treatment.

Key Reasons to Stop Restasis

Allergic Reactions

One of the most serious reasons to stop Restasis is an allergic reaction. While rare, a severe allergic reaction requires immediate medical attention. Mild allergic reactions should also be discussed with a doctor, who can determine if you should continue using the medication.

Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include:

Hives
Difficult breathing
Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Eye Infection or Contamination

Contamination of the vial or multi-dose bottle tip is a risk, especially if the tip touches the eye or another surface. This can lead to an eye infection. Stop using Restasis immediately and contact your doctor if you notice any signs of infection, such as:

Eye pain
Eye swelling
Severe discomfort, crusting, or drainage
Eye redness that does not improve

Persistent and Unmanageable Side Effects

Common, temporary side effects of Restasis include a burning or stinging sensation, redness, and blurry vision, which often subside with continued use. However, if these side effects are persistent or become too bothersome, your doctor may recommend that you stop the medication and explore alternative treatments.

Lack of Efficacy

Restasis is not a quick-fix solution and requires consistent, long-term use to produce results. It can take between 3 and 6 months to see a significant improvement in tear production. If you have been using Restasis consistently for several months with no noticeable improvement, your doctor may conclude that it is not effective for your specific case of dry eye and suggest another therapy. It is important not to assume the medication isn't working before giving it adequate time.

What Happens When You Stop Restasis?

Unlike some systemic medications, Restasis does not cause withdrawal symptoms. This is because the drug is locally administered and very little is absorbed into the bloodstream. However, stopping the treatment will likely lead to a return of the underlying chronic dry eye symptoms, as Restasis works to manage the condition rather than cure it. The inflammation that causes decreased tear production may return, causing symptoms like burning, itching, and foreign body sensation to reappear.

Comparison: Discontinuing Restasis for Different Reasons


Discontinuation Reason	Timing	Outcome	Follow-up Action
Allergic Reaction / Eye Infection	Immediate	Resolution of allergic symptoms or clearance of infection.	Emergency medical care for severe allergic reaction. Consultation with eye doctor for infection and alternative treatment.
Persistent Side Effects	As needed	Reduction or elimination of bothersome side effects like burning or blurry vision.	Doctor's consultation to discuss alternative dry eye treatments or management strategies.
Lack of Efficacy	After 3-6 months	Return of baseline dry eye symptoms as inflammation returns.	Discussion with eye doctor to explore other dry eye therapies, such as Xiidra or other cyclosporine formulations.
Patient Preference / Symptom Management	After long-term use	Likelihood of symptom relapse, requiring resumption of treatment.	Re-evaluate if benefits outweigh the cost and inconvenience. Re-initiate treatment if symptoms return.

The Importance of Professional Medical Guidance

Never stop using Restasis without consulting your eye care professional. They can help you determine the best course of action based on your individual needs and response to the medication. They can also recommend supportive therapies, such as artificial tears, to manage symptoms while waiting for Restasis to take effect or after discontinuing it. In cases where Restasis is no longer the right option, they can provide guidance on effective alternatives to keep your dry eye under control.

Conclusion

While many patients use Restasis successfully as a long-term treatment for chronic dry eye, there are clear medical and practical reasons for discontinuing its use. Severe allergic reactions and eye infections are immediate, urgent reasons to stop and seek medical help. For issues related to persistent side effects or lack of therapeutic effect after several months, the decision to stop should be made in consultation with your doctor. Stopping Restasis does not cause withdrawal, but it is highly likely that your dry eye symptoms will eventually return, making ongoing management necessary. Partnering with your eye care provider is the best way to ensure your dry eye disease is managed effectively, even if that means changing or stopping your medication.

Visit the FDA website for detailed prescribing information on Restasis.

Frequently Asked Questions

You should stop using Restasis immediately and seek medical attention if you experience signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. You should also stop if you have signs of an eye infection, including eye pain, severe discomfort, crusting, or discharge.

If you stop using Restasis, your chronic dry eye symptoms are likely to return. Restasis manages the underlying inflammation that causes dry eye, but it is not a cure, so the benefits will cease once the medication is stopped.

No, withdrawal symptoms are not expected when stopping Restasis. The medication works locally in the eye, so there is no significant systemic absorption.

It can take up to 6 months for Restasis to reach its full effect. If you have been using the medication consistently for several months with no improvement, you should discuss alternative treatment options with your doctor.

You should not stop Restasis on your own, even if your symptoms improve. Dry eye is often a chronic condition, and stopping treatment can lead to a relapse. Any decision to stop should be made in consultation with your eye doctor.

Temporary burning or stinging is a common side effect, especially in the first few weeks, and often improves with continued use. However, if the discomfort is persistent or unmanageable, consult your doctor about the best course of action.

Yes. If Restasis proves ineffective, your eye doctor can help you transition to another prescription dry eye treatment, such as Xiidra or a different formulation of cyclosporine.