Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Cequa
What is CEQUA used for?
- CEQUA is used to treat a condition called keratoconjunctivitis sicca also known as dry eye disease.
- CEQUA makes your eyes produce more tears.
How does CEQUA work?
CEQUA contains cyclosporine. Cyclosporine is a medicine that decreases inflammation in the eye.
What are the ingredients in CEQUA?
Medicinal ingredients: cyclosporine
Non-medicinal ingredients: octoxynol-40, polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil, polyvinylpyrrolidone, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid to adjust pH, sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous, sodium phosphate monobasic dihydrate, and water for injection
CEQUA comes in the following dosage forms:
As a solution containing cyclosporine 0.9 mg / mL (0.09% w/v).
Do not use CEQUA if:
- you are allergic to cyclosporine or any of the other ingredients in CEQUA
- you have an eye infection
- you have a cancer or a precancerous condition in or around your eye
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take CEQUA. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have had a viral infection of the eye called herpes keratitis
- have any other eye disease
Other warnings you should know about:
Do not allow the tip of the vial to touch your eye or any other surface. Doing so may contaminate the solution or cause injury to the eye.
Contact Lenses:
Do not put CEQUA in your eyes while you are wearing contact lenses. Patients with dry eyes should not typically wear contact lenses. If you must wear contact lenses, remove the lenses before applying CEQUA. Wait 15 minutes before you put your contact lenses back in.
Driving and using machines:
After applying CEQUA, your vision might be blurry for a while. If this happens, wait until your vision clears before you drive or use machinery.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding:
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before you receive this medicine. If you are pregnant, CEQUA may pass to your baby in the womb. It may also pass to your baby through your breast milk. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, your doctor will decide if you can receive this medicine.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
How to take CEQUA:
- CEQUA is for use in the eyes only.
- Wash your hands before using CEQUA.
- Use CEQUA immediately after you open the vial. Each vial is for single use and the CEQUA solution should be used immediately after opening. You must discard whatever is left in the vial after you have applied your CEQUA drops to your eye(s).
- Do not let the tip of the vial touch your eye or any other surface.
- Always use CEQUA exactly as your healthcare professional has told you. Ask your healthcare professional if you are not sure.
- If you are using any other eye drops, wait at least 15 minutes after using them before using CEQUA. If you apply CEQUA first, wait 15 minutes before applying any other product, including artificial tears, to your eyes.
- Do not use this medication if the solution has visible particulate matter, or the vial is leaking or seems damaged.
Usual adult dose:
Apply one drop into each affected eye twice a day about 12 hours apart. Do not exceed two drops per day in the affected eye(s).
Overdose:
| If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much CEQUA, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, regional poison control centre or Health Canada’s toll-free number, 1-844 POISON-X (1-844-764-7669) immediately, even if there are no signs or symptoms. |
|---|
Missed Dose:
If you forget to use CEQUA, skip that dose and continue with the next dose as planned. Do not double your dose to make up for the dose you forgot.
What are possible side effects from using CEQUA?
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking CEQUA. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
- Eye pain
- Irritation or redness in or around the eye
- Swelling or redness on the edge of the eyelid
- Increased pressure in the eye
- Headache
- Swelling, itching or discomfort in or around the eye
- A feeling that there is something in your eye
- Watering of your eyes
- Blurred vision
- Sore throat
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Eye strain
- Eye discharge
- Burning sensation
- Cough
- Dizziness
- Ear pain
- Nausea
| Serious side effects and what to do about them | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| UNCOMMON | |||
| Urinary tract infection: blood in urine, cloudy urine, frequent urination, pain or burning sensation when urinating, pain in the pelvis, strong smelling urine. | √ | ||
| RARE | |||
| Allergic Reaction: difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, fever, hives, itchy skin, loss of | √ | ||
| Serious side effects and what to do about them | ||
|---|---|---|
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help |
| Only if severe | In all cases | |
| consciousness, rash, swelling of your tongue, throat or face. | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your healthcare professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
Storage:
Store at room temperature (15°C to 25°C). Do not freeze. Store single-use vials in the original foil pouch. Use contents immediately after opening a vial. Discard vial and unused contents after use.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about CEQUA:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); the manufacturer’s website www.sunpharma.com/canada, or by calling 1-844-924-0656.
Distributed by Sun Pharma Canada Inc.
Last Revised: MAY 01, 2025
CEQUA is a registered trademark of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited. Used under license.