cyclosporine in the UK

[bohdie]

Hi Everyone! I've read a few threads regarding availability of restasis or cyclosporine (0.1% or 0.2%) in the UK and would just like to clarify the situation for myself. So my question is can you get it on the NHS or which other ways are there to get hold of it ie. international pharmacies or online pharmacies. I've started using it in Belgium but its made up by a pharmcie for me and I don't think they do that in the UK. It works really well and its so nice to be off the steriod eye drops so I don't want to go back to them once we move back to the UK. Thanks in advance!

[irish eyes]

Hi

Are you talking about Restasis? If so, then a consultant can prescribe it but it's not available on the NHS. A chain such as Boots the Chemist can obtain it via an international pharmacy but it's very expensive.

I understand that Moorfields Hospital in London have their own version of Restasis although it's a stronger potency.

http://www.moorfieldspharmaceuticals.co.uk/login.php

I refused to pay the silly figures required for Restasis (almost £1000 for 6 weeks supply) so the consultant encouraged me to try a product called Optimmune - this contains cyclosporine. Vets prescribe it for dogs but I gather it also assists corneal graft survival.

If you look through the posts from UK people, you will find a few who have bought Restasis from online pharmacies.

[louisa]

cyclosporin in the uk

hi
I have this prescribed by my opthalmic as a named patient due to it being unlicensed in the uk. 0.2% cyclosporin ointment. Its designed for the vet market and is as Irish eyes says stronger than the restasis. I think that quite a few consultants are now willing to prescribe it on a named patient basis in the uk so its worth trying to scout around. I think i read that someone who attends the Bristol eye hospital has it and also i imagine the london moorfields hosptal would as well, after all they make it!
Good luck.
louisa