Comprehensive medication guide to Eysuvis including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$30–$150 copay depending on plan tier; Tier 3–4 on most commercial formularies. With the Alcon Patient Access Program copay card, commercially insured patients may pay as little as $30. Medicare Part D coverage varies by plan; some Cigna Medicare plans include it as a preferred brand.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$529–$687 retail for brand-name Eysuvis (8.3 mL); as low as $479–$514 with SingleCare or GoodRx coupons for a single 2-week treatment supply. No generic is available as of 2026.
Medfinder Findability Score
55/100
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Eysuvis (loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension 0.25%) is a prescription corticosteroid eye drop manufactured by Alcon Laboratories. It was FDA-approved in October 2020 and became commercially available in January 2021 as the first and only FDA-approved prescription corticosteroid specifically indicated for the short-term treatment of dry eye disease.
Eysuvis is approved for adults with dry eye disease to reduce the inflammation that causes flare symptoms — including burning, redness, grittiness, and eye discomfort. It uses Alcon's AMPPLIFY mucus-penetrating particle (MPP) technology to enhance penetration of loteprednol through the mucus layer on the eye surface, enabling effective anti-inflammatory action at the site of inflammation.
Each 8.3 mL bottle contains loteprednol etabonate 0.25% (2.5 mg/mL) with benzalkonium chloride 0.01% as a preservative. Eysuvis is a suspension — it must be shaken for 2–3 seconds before each use. The bottle's characteristic pink cap makes it identifiable. There is no FDA-approved generic version of Eysuvis as of 2026.
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Eysuvis works through two complementary mechanisms: a soft corticosteroid active ingredient and a proprietary drug delivery technology. The active ingredient, loteprednol etabonate, binds to glucocorticoid receptors in ocular surface cells. This binding suppresses the production of pro-inflammatory proteins including cytokines, prostaglandins, and other inflammatory mediators that drive dry eye flare symptoms.
Loteprednol is classified as a "soft" corticosteroid because it is metabolized into inactive compounds (PJ-91 and PJ-90) within ocular tissue after exerting its therapeutic effect. This metabolic profile was intentionally engineered to reduce systemic exposure and the IOP-elevation risk associated with older corticosteroids like prednisolone acetate.
The AMPPLIFY technology creates mucus-penetrating nanoparticles that travel through the mucus layer covering the eye's surface — a barrier that traps conventional drug particles and leads them to be cleared when you blink. By penetrating this layer, Eysuvis delivers loteprednol directly to the inflamed ocular surface tissue. Clinical trials showed symptom improvement (reduced ocular discomfort severity) as early as Day 4 of the 2-week treatment course.
0.25% (2.5 mg/mL) — ophthalmic suspension
1–2 drops in each affected eye 4 times daily for up to 2 weeks. Shake for 2–3 seconds before each use.
Eysuvis is not listed on the FDA's Drug Shortage Database as of 2026 — there is no official shortage. However, many patients experience what's sometimes called a "practical shortage": the medication is being manufactured and distributed, but their local pharmacy doesn't carry it in regular stock. This is primarily because Eysuvis is brand-name only with no generic, prescribed only for short 2-week courses, and carries a high retail price — all factors that reduce how often chain pharmacies dispense it and how much inventory they maintain.
Independent pharmacies near ophthalmology or optometry practices tend to stock Eysuvis more reliably than large chain pharmacies. Alcon's BlinkRx home delivery pharmacy also has consistent availability. Patients can also ask their chain pharmacy to order it — most can receive it within 1–2 business days through their wholesaler.
If you're struggling to find Eysuvis, medfinder calls pharmacies near you to check which ones have your prescription in stock, then texts you the results. This eliminates hours of calling around and is available for Eysuvis and all other specialty eye drops.
Eysuvis is not a controlled substance and has no DEA scheduling requirements. Any licensed prescriber with DEA registration authority can technically prescribe it. However, the Eysuvis prescribing information specifies that prescriptions should be written only after a physician examination using magnification (such as slit lamp biomicroscopy) and intraocular pressure evaluation. This makes eye care specialists the most appropriate prescribers.
Ophthalmologists (MD/DO) — most common and most appropriate prescribers; can perform full eye exam including slit lamp
Optometrists (OD) — licensed to prescribe Eysuvis in all 50 states; commonly see dry eye patients in primary eye care settings
Primary care physicians (MD/DO) — can prescribe but typically lack slit lamp equipment for the required exam
Nurse practitioners (NP) and physician assistants (PA) — can prescribe in most states, particularly those working within ophthalmology practices
Telehealth prescribing is limited for Eysuvis because the prescribing information requires an in-person eye examination (including IOP check) before prescribing. Some telehealth platforms may issue renewals for established dry eye patients with prior in-person diagnoses, but initial prescriptions should follow an in-person evaluation.
No. Eysuvis (loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension 0.25%) is not a controlled substance. It is not assigned to any DEA schedule. Eysuvis is a prescription-only (Rx) medication, meaning it requires a valid prescription from a licensed prescriber — but it does not have the special prescribing restrictions, dispensing limits, or refill rules associated with controlled substances (DEA Schedules II–V).
Although Eysuvis is not controlled, the prescribing information does specify that the initial prescription and each renewal should be made by a physician following an eye examination with magnification (such as slit lamp biomicroscopy) and evaluation of intraocular pressure. This clinical requirement exists because of the inherent risks of ophthalmic corticosteroids — not because it is a controlled substance.
Eysuvis was well-tolerated in clinical trials involving approximately 2,900 patients over 2-week treatment courses. The most common adverse reaction was:
Instillation site pain (brief burning, stinging, or discomfort upon instillation) — reported in 5% of patients
Temporary blurred vision after instillation
Mild eye redness or irritation
As with all ophthalmic corticosteroids, the following serious side effects are possible (primarily with extended use beyond the approved 2-week course):
Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) — may lead to glaucoma if persistent
Posterior subcapsular cataract formation
Delayed wound healing and corneal/scleral thinning (risk of perforation in compromised tissue)
Secondary eye infections — corticosteroids can mask or worsen infections, especially viral (herpes simplex)
Optic nerve damage from prolonged IOP elevation
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Restasis (cyclosporine 0.05%)
Long-term immunomodulator for chronic dry eye; generic available; takes 3–6 months for full effect. First-line chronic treatment.
Xiidra (lifitegrast 5%)
LFA-1/ICAM-1 antagonist for chronic dry eye; brand-only; onset 2–4 weeks. Different anti-inflammatory pathway from Eysuvis.
Cequa (cyclosporine 0.09%)
Higher-concentration cyclosporine with nanomicellar technology; brand-only; for patients who didn't respond to Restasis.
Miebo (perfluorohexyloctane)
Lipid layer stabilizer for evaporative dry eye from meibomian gland dysfunction; used long-term; no sting on instillation.
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Other ophthalmic eye drops
minorWait at least 5 minutes between Eysuvis and any other eye drops to prevent washout and ensure proper absorption.
Soft contact lenses
moderateBAK preservative (0.01%) in Eysuvis is absorbed by soft contact lenses. Remove contacts before use; reinsert 15 minutes after.
Glaucoma medications (prostaglandins, beta-blockers)
moderateNo direct drug interaction, but Eysuvis may elevate IOP, potentially counteracting glaucoma treatment. Monitor IOP closely.
Viral eye infection medications (antivirals)
majorEysuvis is contraindicated with active viral eye infections (herpes simplex, vaccinia, varicella). Corticosteroids can worsen viral infections.
Eysuvis fills an important niche in dry eye disease management: rapid, short-term inflammatory control during flares. As the only FDA-approved corticosteroid specifically for dry eye disease, it offers clinicians and patients a targeted tool that provides symptom relief as early as Day 4 — much faster than chronic therapies like cyclosporine. Its design as a soft steroid with AMPPLIFY delivery technology provides an improved safety profile compared to older ophthalmic corticosteroids for the approved 2-week course.
The main practical challenges with Eysuvis are access and cost. At $529–$687 per bottle retail, it requires savings programs for most patients to afford. Its brand-only status means it's not stocked at every pharmacy. The Alcon Patient Access Program (as little as $30 for commercially insured patients) and the Alcon Cares PAP (free for eligible uninsured/low-income patients) address the cost barrier significantly.
For patients who struggle to locate Eysuvis at their local pharmacy, medfinder provides a practical solution: enter your medication and location, and medfinder calls nearby pharmacies to check stock, texting you the results. This service works for Eysuvis and all other specialty ophthalmic medications.
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