How Xiidra Works

Not an actual patient

Looks like the doctor has prescribed Xiidra to treat your chronic Dry Eye and to help you get relief from some of the symptoms you’ve been having.

I have a couple of things to go over with you so you know what to expect.

When someone has persistent Dry Eye symptoms, the reason may be inflammation.

Over-the-counter eye drops may provide temporary relief, but the doctor prescribed Xiidra because it works differently to specifically target inflammation that might be at the root of your Dry Eye symptoms.

Xiidra treats not only Dry Eye symptoms, which you feel, but also Dry Eye signs which the doctor assesses.

Based on your signs and symptoms, the doctor thinks that Xiidra is right for you.

How are my symptoms going to be managed? Currently, I feel like my Dry Eye is on repeat.

The goal is to reduce symptoms that you’re experiencing.

What to Expect with Xiidra

Xiidra works fast, and you may see improvements in your symptoms in as little as two weeks with continued twice-daily use.

But every patient is a little different, so it may take a little longer.

So it’s very important to continue using Xiidra as directed by the doctor even after you notice improvement to help ensure the best chance for lasting relief.

Xiidra may provide lasting symptom relief for some patients with continued twice-daily use. In clinical studies, Xiidra reduced symptoms of eye dryness at 2 weeks in 2 out of 4 studies, with improvements observed at 6 and 12 weeks in all 4 studies.

Tips for Taking & Staying on Xiidra

I suggest putting Xiidra in a convenient place where you’ll remember to use it once in the morning and once at night.

For example, on your bathroom counter beside your toothbrush.

Some patients also find it helpful to set automatic reminders on their smartphones.

And since you wear contacts, you’ll want to be sure to remove them before administering the drops and wait at least fifteen minutes before re-inserting them.

Those are great ideas for daily reminders. I’ll make it a priority to introduce Xiidra into my daily routine.

Possible Side Effects

Xiidra is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to lifitegrast or to any other ingredients. Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse rates observed in clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect rates observed in practice.

I’d also like to go over some of the side effects that are possible with Xiidra.

Some patients may experience irritation, discomfort, or blurred vision when the drops are applied.

Also, some patients experience an unusual taste sensation.

If you experience any of these side effects, they may decrease over time and the comfort of Xiidra may improve along with your Dry Eye symptoms.

Thanks for letting me know. Last question for me: is Xiidra going to be covered on my insurance?

Savings & Support You've Been Looking For

There’s a couple ways to save on your Xiidra prescription.

I can give you the Xiidra My Savings Program copay card.

With this card, if you’re eligible and commercially insured, you pay zero dollars for your first ninety-day prescription of Xiidra and as little as zero dollars for each refill.

There’s also another option to get your Xiidra prescription from a digital pharmacy called BlinkRx, which provides patient support and savings programs that will work with your insurance.

If you choose this option, BlinkRx will send you a text to determine your copay and apply any available savings offers that you’re eligible for.

They even deliver the prescription straight to your door, and shipping is free.

If you’re eligible and commercially insured, you will have the same cost options as the Xiidra My Savings program copay card.

Wow. Sounds like I have some great options.

I’ve been going to the same pharmacy down the street for years, and I just feel really comfortable getting my prescriptions there.

You mentioned the savings program. Can I use it at my local pharmacy?

I totally get it, and you absolutely can.

Let me give you the copay card.

Just be sure to activate this card as indicated.

Simply present it to your pharmacist when you’re picking up your prescription so they can run it along with your insurance to get the appropriate cost.

And if you misplace the card, you can always find it on Xiidra.com.

Okay, thank you.

Check your Prescription

Also keep in mind that Xiidra does not have a generic substitute.

So if the pharmacy tries to switch your medication from Xiidra to something else because of cost or insurance reasons, give us a call so that we can help you to ensure that you get your prescription as prescribed by the doctor.

That’s super helpful information, and I’ll definitely keep it all in mind when I go to the pharmacy.

I will reach out to the office if I get any pushback on the savings card or if they try and switch it to a generic.

Wonderful, and it’s a team effort.

And we want to just make sure that you receive your Xiidra so that you can begin treating the signs and symptoms of your Dry Eye for lasting results.

Do you have any final questions for me?

Nope, I think I’m set. Thanks again.

And I look forward to my follow-up visit.

Before you start Xiidra, it’s good to have an idea what to expect

Xiidra (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution) 5% is a prescription eye drop used to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. Do not use Xiidra if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Seek medical care immediately if you get any symptoms of an allergic reaction. Please see Important Safety Information later in this video. Please see Full Prescribing Information on this site or at Xiidra.com

Xiidra is a prescription eye drop you simply put in two times a day. For some people, when they apply Xiidra, they can get an unfamiliar taste in their mouth.

I use Xiidra before I brush my teeth. That works for me.

Before I brush my teeth in the morning, Xiidra. Before I brush my teeth at night, Xiidra.

The most common side effects of Xiidra include eye irritation, discomfort, or blurred vision when the drops are applied to the eyes, and an unusual taste sensation. These are not all the possible side effects of Xiidra.

Here I’m doing my left eye, but I promise, doing the right eye looks just like this.

Other side effects some people can experience when applying the Xiidra drops are irritation and blurred vision.

Typically, irritation is a temporary thing. And after you get used to applying Xiidra, it may improve.

You have to be a little bit patient.

I know it’s hard. Dry Eye is so annoying, right? But Xiidra is not an instant fix. You have to give it time to work.

Many people can start to feel the difference in about two weeks after using Xiidra every day, twice a day. For me it was so worth the wait.

With continued use. Xiidra reduced the symptoms for some patients at 2 weeks in 2 out of 4 studies and at 12 weeks in all 4 studies.

If you wear contacts, like me, you need to remove them before you use Xiidra. After fifteen minutes, you can put your contacts back in.

If you wear contacts lenses, remove before using Xiidra and wait 15 minutes before placing them back in your eyes.

When I wear contacts, my eyes got dry and tired, especially at the end of the day. But with Xiidra, I have Long-Term symptom relief.

Xiidra may provide long-term symptom relief for some patients with continued twice-daily use. In clinical studies, Xiidra reduced symptoms of eye dryness at 2 weeks in 2 out of 4 studies, with improvements observed at 6 and 12 weeks in all 4 studies.

If you want to learn more, check out the success stories or other information on this site. And, of course, you can always, always talk to your doctor.