Dosage and Administration
Remove debris with suitable nonirritating solutions. Apply a 1/4 inch strip of ointment to the affected eye(s) every 12 hours. The ointment may be placed directly on the cornea or into the conjunctival sac.

It is recommended that dogs exhibiting chronic recurring conjunctivitis be tested for adequate tear production to determine if they are suffering from early stages of chronic KCS.

For best results in treating KCS, cyclosporine ophthalmic ointment should be administered early in the course of the disease before irreversible damage to the lacrimal tissue, or dense corneal scarring or pigmentation occurs.

Dogs afflicted with KCS or CSK will most likely require lifelong consistent therapy. For CSK, because environmental factors such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation are implicated in the pathogenesis, clinical signs may subside in the winter months when light intensity is reduced or if the dog is moved to a lower altitude, or indoors, and thus exposed to less UV radiation.

In cases refractory to cyclosporine, the diagnosis should be reevaluated and a different course of therapy considered. Periodic reassessment of the need for Optimmune^® Ophthalmic Ointment Rx therapy is recommended.

How Supplied
Optimmune^® Ophthalmic Ointment Rx is available in a 3.5 g tube, carton of 6 (NDC 0061-1088-01).

Storage Conditions
Store between 2^° and 25^°C (36^° and 77^°F).

Precautions
Keep this and all drugs out of the reach of children.

The clinical effects of Optimmune^® Ophthalmic Ointment Rx have not been determined in dogs with KCS due to the following conditions: congenital alacrima, sulfonamide usage, canine distemper virus, metabolic disease, surgical removal of the third eyelid gland, and facial nerve paralysis with loss of the palpebral reflex. Some of the underlying conditions which may lead to KCS can be either transient (eg, facial nerve trauma) or correctable with appropriate treatment. Consequently, recovery from clinical signs attributed to KCS may be observed and treatment options may need reconsideration.

When switching to cyclosporine from another therapeutic agent (eg, frequent application of an artificial tear preparation) for KCS or CSK, it should be kept in mind that clinical efficacy is not necessarily apparent immediately after initiation of OPTIMMUNE^® Ophthalmic Ointment therapy. Several days to a few weeks may be required before the clinical effects of Optimmune^® Ophthalmic Ointment Rx are of sufficient magnitude such that previously initiated therapy can be safely withdrawn. Abrupt cessation of a therapeutic agent immediately upon initiation of OPTIMMUNE^® Ophthalmic Ointment therapy can result in rapid clinical relapse which may be erroneously interpreted as an adverse reaction to Optimmune^® Ophthalmic Ointment Rx.

The safety of Optimmune^® Ophthalmic Ointment Rx has not been determined in cases of preexisting viral or fungal ocular infections. It is recommended that in such cases, Optimmune^® Ophthalmic Ointment Rx therapy be delayed until the fungal/viral ocular infection has been successfully treated.

The safety of Optimmune^® Ophthalmic Ointment Rx in puppies, pregnant bitches, or dogs used for breeding has not been determined.

Prescription

This item requires a valid prescription from a licensed veterinarian. Prescripion items are NON-RETURNABLE and NON-REFUNDABLE.