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Xiidra® in his Practice

Hear first-hand about how an early adopter treated some of his appropriate dry eye disease patients with Xiidra. In this blog, Dr. Jay K Mattheis shares his key steps to provide successful patient communication in his practice, and the importance of prior authorizations for prescription Xiidra (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution) 5%.

How to use Xiidra eye drops How to use Xiidra eye drops

Dr. Jay K Mattheis, MD, MSPH, FACS

Dry eye disease expert

Former Clinician, and Director of the Comprehensive Eye Care and Dry Eye Center of Excellence at Wellish Vision Institute

Years ago, while reading an ophthalmology publication, lifitegrast was mentioned in a small article as a possible tool to treat dry eye disease (DED). After reading that article, I hoped it could be an effective tool to treat my patients in the future.

At that time, my office was the site of multiple clinical trials, and eventually we had the opportunity to become part of the phase 3 trial for lifitegrast. As a sub-investigator for this treatment, I appreciated being part of the investigative team for Xiidra. And after the data came out from the phase 3 trial, I was intrigued about what this could mean for my appropriate dry eye disease patients.

Setting patients up for symptom relief

Once it became approved for use in 2016, I prescribed Xiidra for many of my appropriate patients with dry eye disease and gained a lot of clinical experience.

During patient consults in which Xiidra was prescribed, I found that it was helpful to set patient expectations by explaining they may find symptom relief in as early as 2 weeks and making them aware of possible side effects, such as instillation-site irritation, dysgeusia, and reduced visual acuity.1 Then I would request to see the patient back in 6 weeks for a follow-up visit when we could talk about their experiences on Xiidra and I could answer any questions they might have. Using this strategy, some of my patients were indeed finding relief from their signs and symptoms of dry eye disease.2 Together, my patients and I celebrated their progress.

Access to Xiidra

Those early successes for individual patients provided me with the fortitude to seek a prior authorization for patients whose insurance plan required it. We know our patients may not be able to do that for themselves. I truly believe that “because my patients have a need, I have a duty”—so when my patients need a treatment, like Xiidra, I want to make it happen, no matter the complexity of completing prior authorizations!

Many of our patients were so grateful to have a dry eye treatment that helped them find relief. And I find it’s not only a duty, but an honor, to help offer my patients relief from DED.

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Xiidra may provide lasting symptom relief in as early as 2 weeks*

Xiidra reduced symptoms of eye dryness (based on EDS) at 2 weeks in 2 out of 4 studies, with improvements observed at 6 and 12 weeks in all 4 clinical studies.1

*The safety and efficacy of Xiidra were assessed in four 12-week, randomized, multicenter, double-masked, vehicle-controlled studies (N=2133). Patients were dosed twice daily. The mean age was 59 years (range, 19-97 years). The majority of patients were female (76%). Use of artificial tears was not allowed during the studies. The study end points included assessment of signs (based on Inferior fluorescein Corneal Staining Score [ICSS] on a scale of 0 to 4) and symptoms (based on patient-reported Eye Dryness Score [EDS] on a visual analogue scale of 0 to 100). Effects on symptoms of dry eye disease: a larger reduction in EDS favoring Xiidra was observed in all studies at day 42 and day 84. Xiidra reduced symptoms of eye dryness at 2 weeks (based on EDS) compared to vehicle in 2 out of 4 clinical trials. Effects on signs of dry eye disease: at day 84, a larger reduction in ICSS favoring Xiidra was observed in 3 out of the 4 studies.1

Indication

Xiidra® (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution) 5% is indicated for the treatment of signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED).

Important Safety Information

  • Xiidra is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to lifitegrast or to any of the other ingredients.
  • In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions reported in 5-25% of patients were instillation site irritation, dysgeusia and reduced visual acuity. Other adverse reactions reported in 1% to 5% of the patients were blurred vision, conjunctival hyperemia, eye irritation, headache, increased lacrimation, eye discharge, eye discomfort, eye pruritus and sinusitis.
  • To avoid the potential for eye injury or contamination of the solution, patients should not touch the tip of the single-use container to their eye or to any surface.
  • Contact lenses should be removed prior to the administration of Xiidra and may be reinserted 15 minutes following administration.
  • Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients below the age of 17 years have not been established.

Click here for Full Prescribing Information.

INDICATION AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Indication

Xiidra® (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution) 5% is indicated for the treatment of signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED).

Important Safety Information

  • Xiidra is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to lifitegrast or to any of the other ingredients.
  • In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions reported in 5-25% of patients were instillation site irritation, dysgeusia and reduced visual acuity. Other adverse reactions reported in 1% to 5% of the patients were blurred vision, conjunctival hyperemia, eye irritation, headache, increased lacrimation, eye discharge, eye discomfort, eye pruritus and sinusitis.
  • To avoid the potential for eye injury or contamination of the solution, patients should not touch the tip of the single-use container to their eye or to any surface.
  • Contact lenses should be removed prior to the administration of Xiidra and may be reinserted 15 minutes following administration.
  • Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients below the age of 17 years have not been established.

Click here for Full Prescribing Information.