• ABOUT DRY EYE
  • Symptoms, Causes, and Diagnosis of Dry Eye
  • Treatments for Dry Eye
    • Artificial Tears
    • Prescription Options
    • Other Patient Options
• ABOUT LACRISERT^®
  • How LACRISERT^® Works
  • The Benefits of LACRISERT^®
  • Writing LACRISERT^®
  • How Patients Use LACRISERT^®
  • LACRISERT^® Efficacy Data
  • Patient Testimonials
• RESOURCES FOR YOU + YOUR PATIENTS
  • LACRISERT^® Sample Request
  • Customizable Tip Sheet
  • Aton Patient Savings Program
  • Aton PatientCARE^SM Program
  • Learn More About LACRISERT^®
  • Valuable Links
  • Presentations
• FAQs

FAQs

Aton Pharma is committed to serving you. The following is a list of frequently asked questions about LACRISERT^® that may not have been specifically addressed on our site:

Will my patients experience a foreign body sensation when they use LACRISERT^®?
How should I advise my patient if he or she experiences transient blurring of vision?
Can LACRISERT^® inadvertently be expelled from the eye?
Can I prescribe LACRISERT^® if my patient is already using artificial tears or another form of Dry Eye treatment?
Can my patient sleep with LACRISERT^® administered?
Can my patient use LACRISERT^® while wearing contact lenses?
Is LACRISERT^® visible when properly administered in the eye?
How long will LACRISERT^® take to dissolve once administered in the eye?
How long will LACRISERT^® last once administered in the eye?
Is LACRISERT^® covered by most managed care plans?
Where can my patient fill his or her prescription for LACRISERT^®?
How long will a single LACRISERT^® prescription last?
Where should I report adverse events experienced by my patients while using LACRISERT^®?
What if my patient has a question that was not covered here?
I am a pharmacist. How can I place an order for LACRISERT^®?

Will my patients experience a foreign body sensation when they
use LACRISERT^®?
If your patient is suffering from Dry Eye, he or she may already be experiencing a foreign body sensation. LACRISERT^® can relieve this symptom better than artificial tears.¹

Some patients do experience a foreign body sensation if LACRISERT^® is misplaced. You can help your patients avoid this discomfort by instructing them on how to administer the insert properly. Allow first-time LACRISERT^® users to practice a few times before leaving your office.² These Insertion Instructions provide a simple illustration of the steps to help your patients better grasp the administration technique.

If your patient does not insert LACRISERT^® properly, the insert can be removed so that a new one may be inserted. Be sure to communicate the importance of closely following the instructions for insertion or removal.

If necessary, adding a drop or more of artificial tears may help to relieve any foreign body sensation he or she might be experiencing.³

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How should I advise my patient if he or she experiences transient blurring
of vision?
Transient blurring of vision is a common symptom of Dry Eye that, in many cases, can be improved with the use of LACRISERT^®.² However, LACRISERT^® may also produce transient blurring of vision in certain users, generally 4 to 6 hours after insertion.^1,2 This can occur due to the production of a somewhat thicker tear film than usual.⁴ Caution your patients against operating hazardous machinery or driving a motor vehicle while their vision is cloudy.²

You may suggest that your patient remove LACRISERT^® after 3 or 4 hours until the blurriness subsides. Another LACRISERT^® may be administered later, if necessary.^1,2 Urge your patient to follow the instructions for insertion or removal closely.

Adding a drop or more of artificial tear products may be helpful in soothing blurred vision after inserting LACRISERT^®.^1,5 Wearing the inserts overnight while your sleeping can also help to relieve blurry vision as a result of LACRISERT^® use.⁶

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Can LACRISERT^® inadvertently be expelled from the eye?
Yes, occasionally this can happen, especially if LACRISERT^® is administered improperly or if the inferior cul-de-sac of the eye is not deep enough to keep LACRISERT^® secure.²

If your patients sleep with LACRISERT^® inserted, they may forget they are using LACRISERT^® upon awakening and rub their eyes too hard, thereby pushing the insert out of the pocket. Advise your patients to rub their eyes gently, if necessary.²

In the case that LACRISERT^® is expelled, your patient may administer another one.²

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Can I prescribe LACRISERT^® if my patient is already using artificial tears or another form of Dry Eye treatment?
Yes. Because LACRISERT^® does not have any known drug interactions, LACRISERT^® can be prescribed concomitantly with artificial tear products or other Dry Eye treatments.^3,5

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Can my patient sleep with LACRISERT^® administered?
Yes, LACRISERT^® is fully biodegradable.¹ Your patient may find it comfortable allowing LACRISERT^® to fully dissolve.⁴ However, if your patient prefers not to sleep with it, LACRISERT^® can easily be removed by following the instructions for removal.

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Can my patient use LACRISERT^® while wearing contact lenses?
Yes. Be sure to advise your patient to put his or her contact lenses in before administering LACRISERT^® to avoid the lenses getting over coated by the contents of the insert.⁶

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Is LACRISERT^® visible when properly administered in the eye?
No. LACRISERT^® is a small, translucent insert that is placed out of sight, inside the inferior cul-de-sac of the eye. The contents of LACRISERT^® are off-white.²

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How long will LACRISERT^® take to dissolve once administered in the eye?
The dissolution time for LACRISERT^® may vary. However, studies show that LACRISERT^® begins to dissolve comfortably within in minutes.²

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How long will LACRISERT^® last once administered in the eye?
In most patients, LACRISERT^® provides continuous, all-day relief of symptoms. The insert lasts, on average, from 14 to 18 hours.²

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Is LACRISERT^® covered by most managed care plans?
Yes, LACRISERT^® is covered by most managed care plans. This makes filling a prescription for LACRISERT^® convenient and affordable for your patients.

Be sure to let your patients know that they can get a rebate coupon for up to $60 off their LACRISERT^® prescription. Click here.

A knowledgeable representative at Aton Pharma can address any question your patient may have about LACRISERT^® or managed care. Your patient can reach Aton PatientCARESM directly by calling 877-ATON-549 (877-286-6549), option 2, or click here for more information on the Aton PatientCARE^SM program.

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Where can my patient fill his or her prescription for LACRISERT^®?
Aton Pharma is committed to ensuring that supplies of LACRISERT^® are available for your patient when needed. When you write a LACRISERT^® prescription, your patient has the convenience of going to any local pharmacy in the United States and in many countries worldwide.

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How long will a single LACRISERT^® prescription last?
Each LACRISERT^® prescription contains 60 inserts.² If your patient administers LACRISERT^® in each eye once daily, each prescription will cover 1 month of use.

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Where should I report adverse events experienced by my patients while
using LACRISERT^®?
If your patient has experienced an adverse event using LACRISERT^®, contact one of our medical specialists at 877-ATON-549 (877-286-6549), option 1, or click here to e-mail us.

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What if my patient has a question that was not covered here?
If your patient has a question that was not covered here, you can advise your patient to e-mail Customer Service or contact LACRISERT^® directly via the Aton PatientCARE^SM Program at 877-ATON-549 (877-286-6549), option 2. Click here for more information on the Aton PatientCARE^SM program.

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I am a pharmacist. How can I place an order for LACRISERT^®?
LACRISERT^® is available in the United States and worldwide.

All major wholesalers in the United States have LACRISERT^® available:

For Canada orders:

If you are a pharmacist in any other country worldwide and you would like to place an order for LACRISERT^®:

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LACRISERT^® is indicated in patients with moderate to severe Dry Eye syndromes, including keratoconjunctivitis sicca. LACRISERT^® is indicated especially in patients who remain symptomatic after an adequate trial of therapy with artificial tear solutions. LACRISERT^® is also indicated for patients with exposure keratitis, decreased corneal sensitivity, and recurrent corneal erosions.

Important Safety Information
Do not use LACRISERT^® if you are allergic to hydroxypropyl cellulose. Instructions for inserting and removing LACRISERT^® should be carefully followed. If improperly placed, LACRISERT^® may result in a scratch to the cornea of your eye. Because LACRISERT^® may cause temporary blurred vision, please use caution when driving or operating machinery. Rubbing the eye(s) containing LACRISERT^® should be avoided. You should always discuss this safety information with your doctor. The following adverse reactions have been reported but were in most instances mild and temporary: temporary blurring of vision, eye discomfort or irritation, matting or stickiness of eyelashes, increased sensitivity to light, eyelid swelling, and eye redness. Talk to your doctor if you have side effects that bother you or that do not go away. You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.