Cyclosporine Ointment

Description

Cyclosporine ointment is a prescription eye medication for dogs. It’s used to manage certain eye conditions by helping to reduce inflammation and improve tear production. The ointment has a petroleum-based texture, which allows it to stay on the eye longer than drops. It comes as a sterile preparation and is typically prescribed by a licensed veterinarian.

Directions

Apply a small amount of ointment to the affected eye(s) twice daily, approximately 12 hours apart. The ointment contains 2 mg of cyclosporine per gram.

1. Wash hands thoroughly before handling the medication
2. Gently pull down the lower eyelid to create a small pocket
3. Apply a thin strip of ointment to the inside of the lower eyelid
4. Allow the dog to blink naturally to distribute the medication

Optimmune ointment is a long-term treatment for certain chronic eye conditions in dogs. It’s important to apply the medication at the same times each day and continue as directed by your veterinarian. The effects may take several days to weeks to become noticeable.

Ingredients

Cyclosporine is the active ingredient in this drug.

Contraindications

Avoid giving this medication if any of the following apply:

• Known allergy to any ingredients in this drug
• Active eye infections

Cautions

• Before giving this medication, you may want to consult a veterinarian about the following:
• Any existing health conditions
• Any allergies
• A list of all medications currently being taken
• Cyclosporine eye ointment may not work in all cases of dry eye. Some causes, like nerve injury or certain diseases, may be temporary or treatable in other ways, so the veterinarian may adjust treatment if your dog’s condition changes.
• It can take several days to a few weeks before the ointment shows full benefit. Do not suddenly stop other treatments (like artificial tears) when starting cyclosporine, since this may cause a quick relapse of symptoms.
• This medication has not been proven safe for dogs with viral or fungal eye infections. Treatment should be delayed until these infections are cleared.
• The safety of cyclosporine eye ointment has not been studied in puppies, pregnant dogs, or breeding dogs. Your veterinarian will decide if it is appropriate in these cases.

Side Effects

The most common side effects of cyclosporine in dogs are mild eye-related reactions, such as redness, watery eyes, or slight discomfort. In clinical trials, a small number of dogs also had local inflammation around the eye or temporary hair loss near the eyelids. These effects are usually linked to the underlying condition (keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or dry eye) rather than the medication itself.

On rare occasions, treatment may cause irritation like eyelid spasms, rubbing, or persistent redness around the eyes. Symptoms that last more than a week may suggest a hypersensitivity reaction to the ointment. In such cases, a veterinarian may need to reassess the treatment and consider alternative options.

References:

1. Optimmune Drug Label Information. Rahway, NJ: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.; 2024.
2. Teva-Cyclosporine Product Monograph. Toronto, ON: Teva Canada Limited; 2017.

About Dr. Gerardo Sison (Page Author)

An honors graduate of the University of Florida, Dr. Sison started his pharmacy career in a community setting, extending his services to hospitals and clinics over time. He has also worked in medication therapy management, advising patients on proper medication use for their chronic health conditions. Read More....