Optimmune (0.2% Cyclosporine) Ophthalmic Ointment for Dogs, 3.5-g

This eye med is essential for my dogs eye health for the long term. The tube is frustrating and wastes medication, therefore money. This medication is far too expensive to have to throw any away. When first opened half of the the tube is air. As you try to finish the tube, because it’s metal you can’t bend it to squeeze out the last few days worth. If you try too hard to squeeze out the last, you risk accidentally bumping your dog’s cornea. I have read many complaints for this exact issue on this page. My veterinarian agrees and is displeased with the dispensing method for this product too. This complaint is not about Chewy. Chewy is wonderful. This complaint is directed to Merck.

I am in complete agreement with all of the negative reviews in regards to over--priced, tiny tubes that are half filled with air and split when trying to manipulate the tube to get the product out because after the first few applications the tube needs to be flattened as you would a tube of toothpaste the thin metal (?) splits and then has to be trickily manipulated to get the rest of the product out and into the pet's eye. I have to continue buying because my dog needs to be on this med for the rest of his life. Unfair pricing for shoddy 1/2 filled packages.

We are using Optimmune to reverse the dark film that is covering my senior's eyes. I've been told previously there is nothing you can do for it (pigmentary keratitis) but this is helping! So glad I have a different vet now... It just takes a long while for you to see results and many people give up when they don't see results quickly. It may not work for everyone, but it is worth a shot. Just wish it came in a dropper and larger package...

I have the same complaint, the company is reaping us terribly for 50% air in this small tube and so expensive to maintain. Indirectly this company is totally not helping those dog owner who needs this medication, I believed there is an alternative to this crazy tube, but vet are controlled by this pharma and reap us off or make our loving pet go blind.

I have a shih-a-poo that had one eye removed due to glaucoma. Unfortunately we did not catch it until it was to late for optimmune to help. However , I use it daily in her remaining eye. If I forget to the optimmune, I can tell because she will start scratching at her eye. As soon as I put the optimmune in she has relief! My vet recommended that I use it for her remaining years.

This is very expensive and quite the money maker for MERCK as they fill the small tube with over 50% air. When you first open the tube a lot of air comes out. Also you are not able to use all the content because as you get near the end the remaining ointment will not come out because the metal tubing prevents you from squeezing it out. So the two sides at the top of the tube still have ointment but since you can’t get it out it is wasted along with your money. My dog needs this twice a day so I have to reorder about every 3 weeks. Lately I have been supplementing every 3 or 4 days with GenTeal Severe Dry Eye Relief Lubricant Eye Gel. They have a day and a night formula. It comes in a plastic This is very expensive and quite the money maker for MERCK as they fill the small tube with over 50% air. When you first open the tube a lot of air comes out. Also you are not able to use all the content because as you get near the end the remaining ointment will not come out because the metal tubing prevents you from squeezing it out. So the two sides at the top of the tube still have ointment but since you can’t get it out it is wasted along with your money. My dog needs this twice a day so I have to reorder about every 3 weeks. Lately I have been supplementing every 3 or 4 days with GenTeal Severe Dry Eye Relief Lubricant Eye Gel. They have a day and a night formula. It comes in a plastic tube so you can get all the ointment out so no waste and much cheaper than the MERCK ointment. I did ask my vet about doing this and she said it was fine and that I could use it more often if the dog’s eyes seemed to stay lubricated with it. Of course, MERCK could (and should) revamp the tube and at the very least fill the tube completely plus use a material so that all the medicine can be accessed. … more

I have been using for 5 days....Doc wants it for long term use. Quite expensive for a tiny tube you apply 2x a day, especially when the tube is only half full. I doubt the tube will last 2 weeks. I will probably have to try something else. So sad since it seems to be helping.

This does not seem to be terribly effective for my dog with chronic dry eye, considering the size of tube and price. Made with corn oil which may not be the best for those who are grain sensitive, like mine. Will continue to use until tube is empty, may have better results with time. But will not last even a month, very expensive for those who will need it for chronic conditions. Lower price on Chewy than anywhere else, however.

My Miley had cataract surgery a few months ago and it looks like she will be on Optimmune long term. Chewy saved me at least &15.00. Thank you Chewy. I love Chewy.

I used to get Cyclosporine from a compounding pharmacy. My dog was on it for a long time. She and I both hated it. It was greasy and makes a mess on her face. I think it also stings as she would rub her face on the carpet every time. Finally, I decided to stop using it. Then, she started having eye infections due to dry eye. My Vet put her on Optimmune. It’s got cyclosporine too but it is gel-like and non greasy. In addition, my dog don’t seem to mind it and her eye issue is now under control. 4 starts because it’s very expensive in my opinion. Also, I’m not able to use all the content. I probably waste a quarter of the content every time. Eventually the tube will get a hole from repeated use I used to get Cyclosporine from a compounding pharmacy. My dog was on it for a long time. She and I both hated it. It was greasy and makes a mess on her face. I think it also stings as she would rub her face on the carpet every time. Finally, I decided to stop using it. Then, she started having eye infections due to dry eye. My Vet put her on Optimmune. It’s got cyclosporine too but it is gel-like and non greasy. In addition, my dog don’t seem to mind it and her eye issue is now under control. 4 starts because it’s very expensive in my opinion. Also, I’m not able to use all the content. I probably waste a quarter of the content every time. Eventually the tube will get a hole from repeated use. I wish the tube is made of plastic instead of metal-like tubes. … more