Comprehensive medication guide to Verkazia including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
As little as $0 for commercially insured patients with Verkazia coverage through the Harrow Savings Program copay card; as little as $79 for commercially insured patients without coverage or Medicare Part D patients. Prior authorization is typically required. Verkazia is placed on specialty or Tier 3 formulary tiers on most commercial plans.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$1,938–$2,159 retail for 120 single-dose vials (approximately a 30-day supply at 4x daily for both eyes); as low as $1,764–$1,827 with a GoodRx coupon, or as little as $79 with the Harrow Savings Program for uninsured/underinsured patients.
Medfinder Findability Score
42/100
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Verkazia (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.1%) is a prescription eye drop manufactured by Harrow Eye, LLC. It is the first and only FDA-approved topical immunomodulator specifically indicated for the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in children ages 4 and older and in adults. FDA approval was granted in June 2021.
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis is a chronic, severe form of allergic inflammation of the eye. It primarily affects children and young adults, causing intense itching, photophobia, redness, thick mucous discharge, and potentially sight-threatening complications such as corneal ulcers and scarring if left untreated. Before Verkazia, there was no FDA-approved steroid-sparing therapy specifically for VKC.
Verkazia is formulated as a unique cationic (positively-charged) oil-in-water emulsion containing 1 mg/mL (0.1%) of cyclosporine. It is dispensed in single-dose vials of 0.3 mL — one vial contains enough emulsion for one dose in both eyes. Vials are packaged in aluminum foil pouches (5 vials per pouch) to protect from light and evaporation.
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Verkazia is classified as a calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant. It works by blocking calcineurin — a protein enzyme inside T-lymphocytes (T-cells) that plays a critical role in triggering the inflammatory cascade responsible for VKC symptoms.
When cyclosporine enters T-cells, it binds to cyclophilin to form a complex that inhibits calcineurin. This prevents activation of the transcription factor NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T-cells), which normally triggers production of pro-inflammatory cytokines — particularly interleukin-2 (IL-2) — that amplify the immune response in the eye.
By suppressing T-cell activation locally at the eye surface, Verkazia reduces the inflammation causing VKC symptoms — including itching, photophobia, mucous discharge, and corneal changes — without the risks associated with long-term corticosteroid use. Because it is applied topically in a small dose, systemic absorption is negligible.
0.1% (1 mg/mL) — ophthalmic emulsion (single-dose vials)
Each single-dose vial contains 0.3 mL. One vial is sufficient for dosing both eyes. Instill 1 drop in each affected eye 4 times daily (morning, noon, afternoon, evening). Discard vial immediately after use.
Finding Verkazia has been challenging due to supply disruptions tied to a manufacturer ownership transition. Verkazia was originally developed by Santen Inc. and transferred to Harrow Eye, LLC, who reported inventory shortages in late 2025 that carried into early 2026. In June 2026, Harrow officially relaunched Verkazia to the U.S. market as a commercial priority product.
Even with improving supply, Verkazia availability varies significantly by pharmacy. Most standard retail pharmacies do not stock it routinely because VKC is a rare condition affecting approximately 1.24 per 10,000 U.S. children. Specialty pharmacies (Walgreens Specialty, CVS Specialty, Optum Specialty) are generally the most reliable sourcing channel.
If you're struggling to find Verkazia, medfinder calls pharmacies near you to check which ones can fill your prescription, and texts you the results — saving you hours of phone calls.
Verkazia is not a controlled substance and can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider with prescribing authority. However, because VKC diagnosis requires slit-lamp examination and specialist expertise, it is almost always prescribed by an eye care specialist. Many insurance plans also require the prescription to be written by or in consultation with an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
Providers who commonly prescribe Verkazia:
Ophthalmologists (MD/DO) — primary prescribers for VKC, especially for moderate-to-severe cases
Optometrists (OD) — can prescribe Verkazia in most U.S. states; often first-line for diagnosis and management
Pediatric Ophthalmologists — particularly appropriate for VKC in children
Allergists / Immunologists — may co-manage VKC, particularly with concurrent atopic disease
Telehealth is generally not appropriate for initial VKC diagnosis, which requires in-person slit-lamp examination. However, established VKC patients on Verkazia may be able to use telehealth for follow-up monitoring and prescription refills through certain eye care telehealth services.
No. Verkazia (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.1%) is not a controlled substance. It is not scheduled by the DEA and has no abuse potential. Prescriptions can be called in, faxed, or sent electronically to any licensed pharmacy. Refills can be authorized by your prescribing ophthalmologist or optometrist at their discretion.
Verkazia does require a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. In most insurance plans, Verkazia also requires prior authorization before the prescription will be covered. Contact your prescribing ophthalmologist's office if you have questions about the prior authorization process for your plan.
Verkazia is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects from clinical trials are mild and related to instillation:
Eye pain / burning or stinging at instillation (12%) — usually very brief
Eye pruritus / itching (8%) — temporary, often improves over weeks
Eye redness (ocular hyperemia)
Foreign body sensation
Temporary blurred vision after instillation
Eyelid swelling or redness
Serious side effects (seek immediate care):
Hypersensitivity reactions: hives, swelling of face/tongue/throat, difficulty breathing (angioedema) — stop Verkazia and seek emergency care
Eye injury from vial tip contact — contact your eye doctor
Sudden vision changes, severe eye pain, or worsening discharge — contact your eye doctor immediately
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Lodoxamide (Alomide)
FDA-approved mast cell stabilizer specifically indicated for VKC. Available as a generic, making it significantly less expensive. Less effective than Verkazia for moderate-to-severe VKC as it does not address T-cell-driven inflammation.
Cromolyn Sodium (Opticrom)
FDA-approved mast cell stabilizer for VKC. Requires 4-6 times daily dosing. Most effective as a preventive agent rather than for active flares. Generic available. Better suited for mild VKC.
Loteprednol (Lotemax)
Corticosteroid eye drop used for short-term VKC flares. Rapid anti-inflammatory effect. Not appropriate for long-term use due to risks of steroid-induced glaucoma and cataracts. Best used as bridging therapy.
Compounded Tacrolimus or Cyclosporine Eye Drops
Off-label calcineurin inhibitors prepared by compounding pharmacies. Similar mechanism to Verkazia. Typically less expensive but not FDA-approved for VKC. Formulation consistency varies by compounding pharmacy.
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Other ophthalmic eye drops
minorWait at least 10 minutes between instilling Verkazia and any other eye drop (including artificial tears, antihistamine drops, corticosteroid drops, or glaucoma drops) to prevent dilution and ensure proper absorption.
Eye ointments, gels, and viscous drops
moderateAlways use Verkazia before any eye ointment, gel, or thick eye drop. Wait at least 10 minutes after Verkazia before applying ointments. Thick formulations can form a barrier preventing Verkazia absorption if applied first.
Contact lenses
minorRemove contact lenses before using Verkazia. Wait at least 15 minutes after instillation before reinserting contact lenses. The emulsion can be absorbed by contact lenses and may affect comfort or function.
Verkazia represents a significant advancement in VKC treatment — the first and only FDA-approved steroid-sparing topical therapy for a condition that previously forced patients to choose between inadequate antihistamines or long-term corticosteroids with significant side effect risks. Its cationic emulsion formulation and 0.1% cyclosporine concentration offer effective disease control with a favorable safety profile established in clinical trials.
The main challenges for Verkazia patients in 2026 are access-related: pharmacy availability has been inconsistent following Harrow's commercial transition, and cost without insurance or savings programs is prohibitive. The Harrow Savings Program (as low as $0 for insured patients, $79 for uninsured) and GoodRx coupons are the most impactful cost-reduction tools currently available.
If you are struggling to find Verkazia at a pharmacy near you, medfinder can help. medfinder calls pharmacies near you to check which ones can fill your Verkazia prescription and texts you the results — saving you hours of frustrating phone calls.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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