Lifitegrast is a medication used for the treatment of dry eye disease. It works by blocking the activity of a molecule called LFA-1, which is involved in the inflammation process in the eye. By reducing inflammation, lifitegrast helps to alleviate the symptoms of dry eye disease, such as eye discomfort, irritation, and dryness. It is typically administered as eye drops. Lifitegrast was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2016 under the brand name Xiidra.

Lifitegrast (Xiidra) is a novel medicine that is indicated for the treatment of signs and symptoms of dry eyes (keratoconjunctivitis sicca). It acts by inhibiting the inflammatory process by inhibiting T-cell mediated inflammation.

Lifitegrast Uses:

• Dry eye disease:
  • It is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of dry eyes (keratoconjunctivitis sicca).

Lifitegrast (Xiidra) Dose in Adults:

Lifitegrast (Xiidra) Dose in the treatment of Dry eye disease:

• To use it, you put one drop into each eye every 12 hours. That's twice a day.
• This helps to reduce eye discomfort and dryness caused by the condition.

Lifitegrast (Xiidra) Dose in Children:

Lifitegrast (Xiidra) Dose in the treatment of Dry eye disease (DED):

• For teenagers aged 17 years and older with dry eye disease (DED), the recommended dose of Lifitegrast is to put one drop into each eye every 12 hours.
• So, they would use it twice a day to help alleviate symptoms like eye discomfort and dryness.

Lifitegrast Pregnancy Risk Category: N

• When using eye drops like Lifitegrast during pregnancy, only a small amount of the medication gets into the bloodstream, so the risk to the baby is low.
• However, it's still important to be cautious.
• If you need to use eye drops while pregnant, it's best to use the lowest effective dose and combine it with punctal occlusion, which helps keep the medication in the eyes and reduces the amount that could reach the bloodstream and potentially affect the fetus.

Lifitegrast use during breastfeeding:

• It's uncertain whether Lifitegrast passes into breast milk, but when used as eye drops, only a small amount enters the bloodstream.
• According to the manufacturer, if you're breastfeeding and need Lifitegrast treatment, you should consider the potential risk to your baby from exposure to the medication in breast milk, balanced against the benefits of the treatment for you.
• It's a decision that should be made by weighing these factors carefully.

Dose in Kidney Disease:

• The manufacturer's labeling for Lifitegrast doesn't include any specific dosage adjustments for people with renal impairment.
• This means that individuals with kidney problems typically don't need to change their Lifitegrast dosage based solely on their kidney function.

Dose in Liver disease:

• The manufacturer's labeling for Lifitegrast does not include any specific dosage adjustments for individuals with hepatic impairment.
• This means that people with liver problems typically do not need to alter their Lifitegrast dosage based solely on their liver function.

Common Side Effects of Lifitegrast (Xiidra):

• Gastrointestinal:
  • Dysgeusia
• Local:
  • Application site irritation
• Ophthalmic:
  • Decreased visual acuity

Less Common Side Effects of Xiidra:

• Central nervous system:
  • Headache
• Ophthalmic:
  • Blurred vision
  • Conjunctival hyperemia
  • Eye discharge
  • Eye discomfort
  • Eye irritation
  • Eye pruritus
  • Increased lacrimation
• Respiratory:
  • Sinusitis

Contraindications to Lifitegrast (Xiidra):

If someone has a hypersensitivity (an allergic reaction) to lifitegrast or any component of the formulation, they should not use it. This means that if they have had an allergic reaction to lifitegrast or any of the ingredients in the medication before, they should avoid using it again.

Monitoring Parameters:

None mentioned.

How to administer Xiidra?

For Eye Use Only:

• Lifitegrast eye drops are meant for use in the eyes only. Do not use them for any other purpose.

Remove Contact Lenses:

• Before using the eye drops, take out any contact lenses you are wearing.
• Wait for at least 15 minutes before putting your contacts back in.

Prevent Contamination:

• Avoid touching your eyes, the area around your eyes, or any surface with the tip of the dropper to prevent contamination.
• This helps maintain the sterility of the eye drops.

Dispose of Unused Solution:

• Lifitegrast eye drops come in single-use containers.
• After using the eye drops, discard the container and any remaining unused solution.
• Do not reuse the container to prevent the risk of contamination.

Mechanism of action of Lifitegrast (Xiidra):

Lifitegrast works by attaching to a specific molecule in the body called integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1). By doing this, it stops LFA-1 from connecting with another molecule called intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). This process helps to reduce inflammation and improve symptoms in conditions like dry eye disease.

International Brand Names of Lifitegrast:

• Xiidra

Brand Names in Pakistan:

No Brands Available in Pakistan.