Lifitegrast (Monograph)

Brand name: Xiidra
Drug class: Anti-inflammatory Agents, Miscellaneous
Chemical name: (2S)-2-[[2-(1-benzofuran-6-carbonyl)-5,7-dichloro-3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinoline-6-carbonyl]amino]-3-(3-methylsulfonylphenyl)propanoic acid
Molecular formula: C₂₉H₂₄Cl₂N₂O₇S
CAS number: 1025967-78-5

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Aug 18, 2023. Written by ASHP.

Introduction

Anti-inflammatory agent; integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) inhibitor.

Uses for Lifitegrast

Dry Eye Disease

Management of dry eye disease (also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca).

Lifitegrast Dosage and Administration

Administration

Ophthalmic Administration

Apply topically to the eye as an ophthalmic solution. For topical ophthalmic use only.

Remove contact lenses prior to administration; may reinsert lenses 15 minutes after administration.

Avoid eye injury or contamination of the solution container. Do not touch tip of single-use container to the eye or any other surface.

Sufficient amount of solution in each single-use container for administration of 1 dose into each eye. Preservative-free solution is for single use only; discard any unused portion immediately after administration.

Dosage

Adults

Dry Eye Disease

Ophthalmic

1 drop of a 5% solution in each eye twice daily, approximately 12 hours apart.

Special Populations

No special population recommendations at this time.

Cautions for Lifitegrast

Contraindications

• Manufacturer states none known.

Warnings/Precautions

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

No data available regarding use in pregnant women.

No evidence of teratogenicity in pregnant rats. Increased incidence of omphalocele in pregnant rabbits.

Lactation

Not known whether distributed into milk. No data available regarding effects on breast-fed infant or milk production.

Consider developmental and health benefits of breast-feeding along with mother's clinical need for the drug and any potential adverse effects of the drug on the infant.

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy not established in pediatric patients <17 years of age.

Geriatric Use

No overall differences in safety or efficacy relative to younger adults.

Common Adverse Effects

Ocular effects: Instillation site irritation, reduced visual acuity, blurred vision, conjunctival hyperemia, irritation, increased lacrimation, discharge, discomfort, pruritus.

Nonocular effects: Dysgeusia, headache, sinusitis.

Drug Interactions

No formal drug interaction studies to date.

Lifitegrast Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Bioavailability

Rapidly absorbed into ocular tissues following topical application; peak tear concentrations occur at 0.3 hours after twice-daily administration.

Does not produce clinically important systemic exposure of lifitegrast or systemic inhibition of lymphocyte function.

Following topical administration of lifitegrast 5% solution to the eye twice daily for 180 and/or 360 days, 19% of patients had lifitegrast trough concentrations above the lower limit of quantitation (0.5 ng/mL).

Distribution

Extent

Not known whether distributed into milk after topical application to the eye.

Elimination

Cleared from plasma in 1–4 hours after topical application to the eye.

Stability

Storage

Ophthalmic

Solution

20–25°C.

Actions

• LFA-1 antagonist.

• Interaction between LFA-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) contributes to T-cell activation and migration to target tissues and secretion of inflammatory cytokines. Binding of lifitegrast to LFA-1 blocks interaction between LFA-1 and ICAM-1, thereby inhibiting T-cell adhesion to ICAM-1 and secretion of cytokines.

• Exact mechanism of action in dry eye disease not known, but ICAM-1 may be overexpressed in corneal and conjunctival tissues in dry eye disease and T-cell-mediated inflammation may play a role.

Advice to Patients

• Importance of learning and adhering to proper administration techniques to avoid eye injury or contamination of the ophthalmic solution.

• Importance of storing single-use containers in original foil pouch until ready to use.

• Importance of administering ophthalmic solution immediately after opening the single-use container and discarding any unused portion immediately after administration.

• If contact lenses are worn, importance of removing lenses prior to administration and delaying reinsertion of lenses for 15 minutes after administration.

• Importance of women informing clinicians if they are or plan to become pregnant or plan to breast-feed.

• Importance of informing clinicians of existing or contemplated concomitant therapy, including prescription and OTC drugs, as well as any concomitant illnesses.

• Importance of informing patients of other important precautionary information. (See Cautions.)

Preparations

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.

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Frequently asked questions

• How much is Xiidra without insurance?
• How is Xiidra packaged at the pharmacy?
• How does Xiidra differ from OTC dry eye treatments?
• Can I use other eye drops with Xiidra?
• How long does it take for Xiidra to work?

View more FAQ

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