Cequa

Cyclosporine · Solution/ Drops · Ophthalmic, Topical

Prescription (Rx) Calcineurin Inhibitor Immunosuppressant 4 recalls

Uses

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE CEQUA ophthalmic solution is a calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant indicated to increase tear production in patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye). ( 1 ) CEQUA ophthalmic solution is a calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant indicated to increase tear production in patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye) ( 1 ).

Dosage and administration

Instill one drop of CEQUA twice daily (approximately 12 hours apart) into each eye. CEQUA can be used concomitantly with artificial tears, allowing a 15 minute interval between products. Discard the vial immediately after using in both eyes. ( 2 ) Instill one drop of CEQUA twice daily (approximately 12 hours apart) into each eye. Discard the vial immediately after using in both eyes ( 2 ).

Dosage forms and strengths

Ophthalmic solution containing cyclosporine 0.9 mg/mL ( 3 ) Ophthalmic solution containing cyclosporine 0.9 mg/mL ( 3 ).

Contraindications

None. ( 4 ) None ( 4 ).

Warnings and precautions

To avoid the potential for eye injury and contamination, advise patients not to touch the vial tip to the eye or other surfaces ( 5.1 ). 5.1 Potential for Eye Injury and Contamination To avoid the potential for eye injury and contamination, advise patients not to touch the vial tip to the eye or other surfaces. 5.2 Use with Contact Lenses CEQUA should not be administered while wearing contact lenses. If contact lenses are worn, they should be removed prior to administration of the solution. Lenses may be reinserted 15 minutes following administration of CEQUA ophthalmic solution.

Side effects

The most common adverse reactions following the use of CEQUA (cyclosporine ophthalmic solution) 0.09% was instillation site pain (22%) and conjunctival hyperemia (6%) ( 6.1 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. at 1-800-406-7984 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. In clinical trials, 769 subjects received at least 1 dose of cyclosporine ophthalmic solution. The majority of the treated subjects were female (83%). The most common adverse reactions reported in greater than 5% of subjects were pain on instillation of drops (22%) and conjunctival hyperemia (6%). Other adverse reactions reported in 1% to 5% of the patients were blepharitis, eye irritation, headache, and urinary tract infection.

Use in specific populations

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of CEQUA administration in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk. Oral administration of cyclosporine to pregnant rats or rabbits did not produce teratogenicity at clinically relevant doses [see Data]. Data Animal Data Oral administration of cyclosporine oral solution (USP) to pregnant rats or rabbits was teratogenic at maternally toxic doses of 30 mg/kg/day in rats and 100 mg/kg/day in rabbits, as indicated by increased pre- and postnatal mortality, reduced fetal weight and skeletal retardations. These doses (normalized to body weight) were approximately 3200 and 21000 times higher than the maximum recommended human ophthalmic dose (MRHOD) of 1.5 mcg/kg/day, respectively. No adverse embryofetal effects were observed in rats or rabbits receiving cyclosporine during organogenesis at oral doses up to 17 mg/kg/day or 30 mg/kg/day, respectively (approximately 1800 and 6400 times higher than the MRHOD, respectively). An oral dose of 45 mg/kg/day cyclosporine (approximately 4800 times higher than MRHOD) administered to rats from Day 15 of pregnancy until Day 21 postpartum produced maternal toxicity and an increase in postnatal mortality in offspring. No adverse effects in dams or offspring were observed at oral doses up to 15 mg/kg/day (approximately 1600 times greater than the MRHOD). 8.2 Lactation Risk Summary Cyclosporine blood concentrations are low following topical ocular administration of CEQUA [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . There is no information regarding the presence of cyclosporine in human milk following topical administration or on the effects of CEQUA on the breastfed infants and milk production. Administration of oral cyclosporine to rats during lactation did not produce adverse effects in offspring at clinically relevant doses [see Pregnancy ( 8.1 )] . The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for CEQUA and any potential adverse effects on the breast-fed child from cyclosporine. 8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and efficacy of CEQUA ophthalmic solution have not been established in pediatric patients below the age of 18. 8.5 Geriatric Use No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger adult patients.

Pregnancy

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of CEQUA administration in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk. Oral administration of cyclosporine to pregnant rats or rabbits did not produce teratogenicity at clinically relevant doses [see Data]. Data Animal Data Oral administration of cyclosporine oral solution (USP) to pregnant rats or rabbits was teratogenic at maternally toxic doses of 30 mg/kg/day in rats and 100 mg/kg/day in rabbits, as indicated by increased pre- and postnatal mortality, reduced fetal weight and skeletal retardations. These doses (normalized to body weight) were approximately 3200 and 21000 times higher than the maximum recommended human ophthalmic dose (MRHOD) of 1.5 mcg/kg/day, respectively. No adverse embryofetal effects were observed in rats or rabbits receiving cyclosporine during organogenesis at oral doses up to 17 mg/kg/day or 30 mg/kg/day, respectively (approximately 1800 and 6400 times higher than the MRHOD, respectively). An oral dose of 45 mg/kg/day cyclosporine (approximately 4800 times higher than MRHOD) administered to rats from Day 15 of pregnancy until Day 21 postpartum produced maternal toxicity and an increase in postnatal mortality in offspring. No adverse effects in dams or offspring were observed at oral doses up to 15 mg/kg/day (approximately 1600 times greater than the MRHOD).

Pediatric use

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and efficacy of CEQUA ophthalmic solution have not been established in pediatric patients below the age of 18.

Geriatric use

8.5 Geriatric Use No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger adult patients.

Description

(cyclosporine ophthalmic solution) 0.09% contains a topical calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant. Cyclosporine’s chemical name is Cyclo[[(E)-(2S,3R,4R)-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-(methylamino)-6-octenoyl]-L-2-aminobutyryl-N-methylglycyl-N-methyl-L-leucyl-L-valyl-N-methyl-L-leucyl-L-alanyl-D-alanyl-N-methyl-L-leucyl-N-methyl-L-leucyl-N-methyl-L-valyl] and it has the following structure: Structural Formula Formula: C 62 H 111 N 11 O 12 Mol. Wt.: 1202.6 Cyclosporine is a white powder that is insoluble in water. CEQUA is supplied as a sterile, clear, colorless ophthalmic solution for topical ophthalmic use. It has an osmolality of 160 to 190 mOsmol/kg and a pH of 6.5-7.2. Each mL of CEQUA contains: Active: cyclosporine 0.09% Inactives: Polyoxyl 40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Octoxynol-40, polyvinylpyrrolidone, sodium phosphate monobasic dihydrate, sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous, sodium chloride, water for injection, and sodium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid to adjust pH. structure

Mechanism of action

12.1 Mechanism of Action Cyclosporine is a calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant agent when administered systemically. In patients whose tear production is presumed to be suppressed due to ocular inflammation associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca, topical administration of cyclosporine is thought to act as a partial immunomodulator. The exact mechanism of action is not known.

How supplied

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING CEQUA ophthalmic solution is packaged in sterile, preservative-free, single-use vials. Each vial contains 0.25 mL fill in a 0.9 mL LDPE vial; 10 vials (2 cards of 5 vials) are packaged in a polyfoil aluminum pouch; 6 pouches are packaged in a box. The entire contents of each box of 60 vials must be dispensed intact. 60 Single-Use Vials 0.25 mL each - NDC 47335-506-96 Storage: Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). Store single-use vials in the original foil pouch.

Patient information

Handling the Vial Advise patients to not allow the tip of the vial to touch the eye or any surface, as this may contaminate the solution. Advise patients also not to touch the vial tip to their eye to avoid the potential for injury to the eye [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Use with Contact Lenses CEQUA should not be administered while wearing contact lenses. Patients with decreased tear production typically should not wear contact lenses. Advise patients that if contact lenses are worn, they should be removed prior to the administration of the solution. Lenses may be reinserted 15 minutes following administration of CEQUA ophthalmic solution [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . Administration Advise patients that the solution from one individual single-use vial is to be used immediately after opening for administration to one or both eyes, and the remaining contents should be discarded immediately after administration. Rx Only Manufactured for: Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited By: Laboratoire Unither 1 rue de l’Arquerie 50200 Coutances France Cyclosporine (active ingred.) Product of Czech Republic. Product of France Distributed by: Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. Cranbury, NJ 08512 Copyright 2022, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited All rights reserved 07/2022 uspi-CEQUA-sol-00004

Label text from the FDA structured product label by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. (revised Jun 15, 2026). Long sections are shortened; the complete label is on DailyMed.

Active ingredients

Cequa NDC products (2)

NDCStrength & formLabelerType
47335-506Cyclosporine .0009 g/mL
Solution/ Drops		Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.NDA
47335-507Cyclosporine .0009 mg/mL
Solution/ Drops		Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.NDA

Cequa recalls

Frequently asked questions

What is Cequa used for?

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE CEQUA ophthalmic solution is a calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant indicated to increase tear production in patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye). ( 1 ) CEQUA ophthalmic solution is a calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant indicated to increase tear production in patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye) ( 1 ).

What are the side effects of Cequa?

The most common adverse reactions following the use of CEQUA (cyclosporine ophthalmic solution) 0.09% was instillation site pain (22%) and conjunctival hyperemia (6%) ( 6.1 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. at 1-800-406-7984 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted… See the full label for the complete list.

Who makes Cequa?

Cequa is listed by 1 labeler in the FDA NDC directory, including Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc..

Has Cequa been recalled?

The FDA enforcement database lists 4 recalls for Cequa, most recently D-1172-2023 (class iii): Subpotent: Out of Specification result observed for low assay