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Key takeaways
Restasis is a brand-name eye medication that treats dry eye, but generic versions of Restasis are available at lower retail prices.
On average, Restasis treatment costs over $800 monthly without insurance.
Most insurance policies cover Restasis or generic Restasis called cyclosporine.
Restasis is an FDA-approved prescription eye drop for the long-term treatment of chronic dry eye disease in people with suppressed tear production due to inflammation. On average, a 15-day supply costs $411. A generic version, cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion, is available at a lower cost. Use SingleCare to get a substantial discount on either the brand-name or generic version.
RELATED: Eye health 101: How to protect vision and keep your eyes healthy
How much does Restasis cost without insurance?
For people without insurance coverage, the out-of-pocket cost of Restasis averages $411 for 30 single-use vials, a 15-day supply of Restasis. A 30-day supply would cost about $822. Alternatively, people can purchase a bottle of Restasis Multidose, which contains 30 days of doses for $833. No matter what the choice, Restasis costs about $28 per day. As a long-term treatment requiring regular refills, Restasis costs could add up to $9,864 for a year of treatment.
That said, several alternatives might be more affordable in certain situations. Unfortunately, the most effective prescription treatments cost about the same as brand-name or generic Restasis. The lowest-cost alternatives are over-the-counter tear replacement products like Systane, products that help relieve dry eye symptoms but do not address the underlying cause. Ask a healthcare professional for medical advice about alternative treatments.
How much does generic Restasis cost?
The active ingredient in Restasis is cyclosporine. People can purchase generic cyclosporine eye drops as a 0.05% emulsion available in single-use vials.. Unfortunately, generic Restasis costs almost as much as Restasis. With a SingleCare coupon, the retail cost of generic Restasis falls to as low as $91 per month.
Compare Restasis (cyclosporine) prices to related drugs |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Restasis (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion) | $411 for 1 box, 30 single-use vials, 0.05% emulsion (15-day supply) | $273 for 1 box, 30 single-use vials of brand-name Restasis (15-day supply) | See latest prices |
| Generic Restasis
(cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion) |
$791 for 1 box, 60 single-use vials, 0.05% emulsion of generic Restasis (30-day supply) | $91 for 1 box, 60 single-use vials of generic Restasis (30-day supply) | See latest prices |
| Cequa
(cyclosporine ophthalmic solution) |
$867 for 1 box, 60 single-use vials, 0.09% solution | $619 for 1 box, 60 single-use vials of brand-name Cequa | See latest prices |
| Vevye
(cyclosporine ophthalmic solution) |
$1,063 for 1 multidose bottle, 2 mL, 0.1% solution | $752 for 1 multidose bottle, 2 mL of brand-name Vevye | See latest prices |
| Xiidra
(lifitegrast) |
$1,018 for 1 box, 60 single-use vials, 5% solution | $617 for 1 box, 60 single-use vials of brand-name Xiidra | See latest prices |
| Eysuvis | $679 per 1 multidose bottle, 8.3 mL, 0.25% solution | $465 per 1 multidose bottle, 8.3 mL of brand-name Eysuvis | See latest prices |
| Tyrvaya
(varenicline nasal spray) |
$925 for 2 multidose bottles, 4.2 mL, 0.03 mg/act nasal spray | $670 for 2 multidose bottles, 4.2 mL, 0.03 mg/act nasal spray of brand-name Tyrvaya | See latest prices |
| Miebo
(perfluorohexyloctane ophthalmic solution) |
$1,250 for 1, 3 mL bottle | $783 for 1, 3 mL bottle of brand-name Miebo | See latest prices |
| Systane | $17 for 1 multidose bottle, 15 mL of 0.4-0.3% solution | $6 for 1 multidose bottle, 15 mL of brand-name Systane | See latest prices |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see the latest drug prices.
RELATED: Restasis alternatives: What can I take instead of Restasis?
Save up to 80% on Restasis with SingleCare
Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.
Is Restasis covered by insurance?
Restasis is often covered by health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid, but not always. When it is covered, expect to find it in higher copay tiers. The out-of-pocket cost will probably be higher than it would be for generic cyclosporine eye drops, depending on copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance. Some plans may require prescribers to get a prior authorization from the health insurance company for Restasis to be covered. If Restasis is not covered, most insurance plans cover generic cyclosporine eye drops. Check your plan’s formulary to confirm the details.
How to get Restasis covered by insurance
If Restasis coverage is denied, most insurance plans do cover generic cyclosporine eye drop emulsion.
If the generic is denied, it may be because it’s prescribed for the wrong condition, a mistake has been made in the paperwork, or certain requirements haven’t been met. The first step is to talk to the pharmacist. If there’s a mistake in the paperwork, the pharmacist will correct it with the prescriber. If prior authorization or step therapy is needed, the pharmacist will be able to coordinate that with the prescriber. For off-label conditions, your prescriber may need to request a formulary exception from the insurance provider, but it’s unlikely to succeed.
How to get Restasis without insurance
Without help from an insurance company, brand-name prescription medication prices can seem intimidating—and Restasis is no exception. Fortunately, paying full price isn’t the only option for people who use Restasis. Manufacturer coupons, savings programs, and patient assistance programs sometimes provide drastic discounts, but not everyone can meet the stringent eligibility requirements. Here are some reliable ways to save money on Restasis eye drops:
1. Sign up for a SingleCare savings card
With a SingleCare prescription discount card, you could pay as little as $91 for one month of generic Restasis instead of the usual $822 for the brand-name version. Do not forget to sign up for SingleCare’s loyalty and bonus savings program to enjoy even more savings on future drug purchases.
2. Shop around
Each pharmacy sets its own medication rates, and some charge less than others. A U.S. Public Interest Research Group showed these price differences can be as much as a few hundred dollars, so it pays to compare prices of premium-priced brand-name drugs.
3. Ask about a generic version
Generic drugs are often less expensive than brand-name ones. Purchasing generic Restasis using SingleCare’s prescription discount program can reduce the total monthly cost of Restasis to only $91. Ask your healthcare provider for additional information and medical advice before switching.
- Dry eye treatment with topical cyclosporine 0.1% in chondroitin sulfate ophthalmic emulsion, Clinical Ophthalmology (2021)
- Factors impacting pharmaceutical prices and affordability: Narrative review, Pharmacy (2020)
- The real price of medications, U.S. Public Interest Research Group (2019)
- Restasis cyclosporine emulsion prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)