Tired of Calling Pharmacies? There's a Better Way

If you've been prescribed Restasis for chronic dry eye, the last thing you want to deal with is a scavenger hunt for your medication. But between pharmacy stock variability, insurance hurdles, and the ongoing brand-to-generic transition, finding Restasis on the shelf isn't always straightforward.

The good news is you don't have to call every pharmacy in town. Here are three practical strategies to find Restasis — or its generic equivalent, Cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% — near you.

Tip 1: Use Medfinder to Search for Restasis in Real Time

The fastest way to check which pharmacies near you have Restasis in stock is to use Medfinder. Medfinder is a free tool that lets you search for medication availability by location. Just enter "Restasis" or "Cyclosporine ophthalmic," add your zip code, and you'll see a list of nearby pharmacies that currently have it available.

This is especially useful when your regular pharmacy is out of stock and you need to find an alternative quickly. No phone calls, no waiting on hold — just real-time availability data.

For a deeper look at how pharmacy stock checking works, read our guide on how to check if a pharmacy has Restasis in stock.

Tip 2: Try Independent and Specialty Pharmacies

When large chain pharmacies are out of stock, independent pharmacies are often your best bet. Here's why:

• Flexible ordering: Independent pharmacies can often order directly from multiple wholesalers and may have access to stock that chain pharmacies don't.
• Specialty focus: Some independent pharmacies specialize in ophthalmology medications and are more likely to keep Restasis or Cyclosporine eye drops in regular inventory.
• Personal service: Independent pharmacists are often more willing to special-order a medication for you and can give you a realistic timeline for when it will arrive.

If you're not sure where to find an independent pharmacy, Medfinder includes independent locations in its search results.

Tip 3: Call During Off-Peak Hours

If you do need to call pharmacies, timing matters. Pharmacy staff are most available — and most helpful — during off-peak hours:

• Early morning (8-10 AM): Right after the pharmacy opens, before the rush of prescriptions starts.
• Mid-afternoon (2-4 PM): After the lunch rush has cleared.
• Avoid Mondays: Mondays are typically the busiest day for pharmacies due to weekend prescription backlogs.

When you call, ask specifically: "Do you have Cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% in stock — either brand Restasis or generic?" This gives the pharmacist the broadest search and increases your chances of getting a yes.

What If You Still Can't Find Restasis?

If Restasis and generic Cyclosporine are both unavailable in your area, here's what to do:

Ask Your Doctor About Transferring Your Prescription

Your doctor or pharmacist can transfer your prescription to a pharmacy that has stock. If you found availability on Medfinder at a different location, just call your current pharmacy and ask them to transfer it.

Consider a Mail-Order Pharmacy

Mail-order pharmacies often have larger inventories and can ship Restasis directly to your home. Many insurance plans also offer lower copays for mail-order prescriptions. Check with your insurance provider to see if this is an option.

Explore Alternatives

If you've been unable to find Restasis for more than a few days, talk to your eye doctor about alternatives. Xiidra (Lifitegrast), Cequa (Cyclosporine 0.09%), Miebo (Perfluorohexyloctane), and Tyrvaya (Varenicline nasal spray) are all FDA-approved options for dry eye disease. We cover these in detail in our article on alternatives to Restasis.

Look Into Cost-Saving Options

Sometimes the issue isn't availability — it's cost. Brand-name Restasis can run $350 to $410 out of pocket, which leads some pharmacies to not stock it if demand is low. Generic Cyclosporine is much more affordable at $85 to $150 with a discount card. For more ways to save, check out our article on how to save money on Restasis.

Final Thoughts

Finding Restasis doesn't have to be a headache. With tools like Medfinder, you can quickly locate pharmacies that have your medication in stock — and with the availability of generics, you may even find a more affordable option in the process.

If you're wondering why Restasis has been harder to find lately, our article on why Restasis is so hard to find in 2026 breaks down all the factors at play.