Our Top Pick
Rain Eyecare — $99/month, All-Inclusive
The only service in our comparison that combines all four things people actually want: the authorized generic of Restasis® made by Allergan in Waco, Texas, an online doctor included, free shipping, and a flat monthly price under $100 with no hidden fees or memberships.
Includes a free bottle of Rain moisturizing eye drops ($30 value) with every refill.
Get Started at FeelRain.com →
What You Need to Know About Prescription Dry Eye Drops
The two most commonly prescribed prescription dry eye medications in the U.S. are Restasis® (cyclosporine) and Xiidra® (lifitegrast). Both treat chronic dry eye disease caused by inflammation, and both require a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Restasis® has been on the market since 2003. Its FDA-approved authorized generic became available in 2022 — and it's the closest thing to brand-name Restasis® you can get without paying brand-name prices. The authorized generic is manufactured by Allergan in the same Waco, Texas facility as brand-name Restasis®, using the identical active ingredient, the identical inactive ingredients, and the identical manufacturing process. The only real difference is the label and the price.
Other FDA-approved generic versions of cyclosporine exist on the market, manufactured by various other companies at various facilities. The FDA classifies all of them as therapeutically equivalent, but the authorized generic remains the only one that comes directly from the original brand manufacturer.
That's why a growing number of patients are switching from brand-name Restasis® to the authorized generic instead of taking whatever generic their pharmacy happens to stock. The challenge has been finding it — most retail pharmacies don't carry the authorized generic specifically, and most discount programs don't let you choose which manufacturer's generic you receive. Telehealth services that explicitly dispense the authorized generic remain the most reliable way to access it.
Xiidra was approved in 2016 and has no FDA-approved generic. It works differently from cyclosporine and has a documented taste-related side effect that affects a notable percentage of users.
Both medications typically take 1–3 months to reach full effect and require ongoing daily use to maintain results.
Is Telehealth Right for You?
If you've never used a telehealth service before, here's how the process actually works for a prescription like cyclosporine:
- You complete an online intake. You answer questions about your symptoms, medical history, and any current medications. This usually takes 5–10 minutes.
- A licensed U.S. doctor reviews your information. They determine whether cyclosporine is appropriate for you and write the prescription.
- A U.S.-licensed pharmacy fills the prescription. Your medication is shipped directly to your door, typically within a few days.
- Refills are automatic. Each month, your refill ships on schedule — no pharmacy visits, no chasing prescriptions, no insurance hassles.
You do not need to bring your own prescription. You do not need insurance. The doctor visit is included in the price with reputable U.S.-based services.
How to Choose
Does your insurance fully cover brand-name Restasis®? If yes, retail pharmacy is the simplest path. If no, the out-of-pocket retail cost is rarely the best value.
Do you already have an active prescription, and are you willing to manage refills and pharmacy visits yourself? If yes, GoodRx with Companion membership can offer real savings at certain pharmacies.
Do you want a single monthly price that includes the medication, the doctor, and delivery? If yes, U.S.-based telehealth is the most straightforward path. Among the telehealth options compared, Rain Eyecare is the only service that dispenses the authorized generic from Allergan's Waco, Texas facility — and the only one with a fully loaded price under $100/month.
