Liftear

Indications

Lifitegrast 5% eye drops are used to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease in adults, such as dryness, grittiness, burning, itching and a feeling of something in the eye.

How It Works

In dry eye disease, inflammation on the surface of the eye keeps the problem going. Lifitegrast blocks a protein called LFA-1 on certain white blood cells (T cells), stopping it from binding to its partner ICAM-1 on the eye surface. This reduces the movement and activation of these cells and the release of inflammatory chemicals, which helps the eye produce a healthier tear film over time. Some people notice improvement within 2 weeks, but it may take longer.

Dosage and Administration

Usual adult dose: one drop in each eye twice a day, about 12 hours apart. Wash your hands, tilt your head back, pull down the lower eyelid and place one drop; close the eye gently for a minute. Do not let the tip touch the eye or any surface. Single-use containers should be thrown away after each use. Remove contact lenses before use and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back. If using other eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes between them.

Interactions

• No important interactions with medicines taken by mouth are known, as very little reaches the blood.
• Separate it from other eye drops or ointments by at least 5 minutes; apply ointments last.

Contraindications

• Allergy to Lifitegrast or any ingredient of the drops.

Side Effects

Common: irritation or stinging when the drop goes in, an unusual or bitter taste in the mouth, and brief blurred vision. Less common: eye redness, itching, watering, headache and sinus irritation.

Get urgent medical help for swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing, severe eye pain, sudden loss of vision, or signs of eye infection such as a red painful eye with discharge.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Very little enters the bloodstream, but there are not enough data on use in pregnancy, so use only if your doctor advises. It is not known whether it passes into breast milk; discuss with your doctor before using while breastfeeding.

Precautions and Warnings

• Vision may blur briefly after the drop; wait until it clears before driving.
• Keep the dropper tip clean to avoid contaminating the solution.
• See an eye doctor if symptoms do not improve or get worse.
• Safety in children under 17 years has not been established.

Overdose

An extra drop is unlikely to cause harm. If the drops are swallowed by a child, seek medical advice.

Therapeutic Class

Ophthalmic anti-inflammatory, lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) antagonist.

Storage

Store below 30°C, away from light, in the original pouch or carton. Do not freeze. Keep out of the reach of children.