Lifitegrast

The Basics

What is Lifitegrast?

Used to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease.

Brand names for Lifitegrast

Xiidra

How Lifitegrast is classified

Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 Antagonist

Lifitegrast During Pregnancy

Lifitegrast pregnancy category

Category Not AssignedNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Lifitegrast while pregnant

There are no available data on Xiidra use in pregnant women to inform any drug associated risks. Intravenous (IV) administration of lifitegrast to pregnant rats, from pre-mating through gestation day 17, did not produce teratogenicity at clinically relevant systemic exposures. Intravenous administration of lifitegrast to pregnant rabbits during organogenesis produced an increased incidence of omphalocele at the lowest dose tested, 3 mg/kg/day (400-fold the human plasma exposure at the recommended human ophthalmic dose [RHOD], based on the area under the curve [AUC] level). Since human systemic exposure to lifitegrast following ocular administration of Xiidra at the RHOD is low, the applicability of animal findings to the risk of Xiidra use in humans during pregnancy is unclear [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. Data Animal Data Lifitegrast administered daily by intravenous (IV) injection to rats, from pre-mating through gestation day 17, caused an increase in mean preimplantation loss and an increased incidence of several minor skeletal anomalies at 30 mg/kg/day, representing 5,400-fold the human plasma exposure at the RHOD of Xiidra, based on AUC. No teratogenicity was observed in the rat at 10 mg/kg/day (460-fold the human plasma exposure at the RHOD, based on AUC). In the rabbit, an increased incidence of omphalocele was observed at the lowest dose tested, 3 mg/kg/day (400-fold the human plasma exposure at the RHOD, based on AUC), when administered by IV injection daily from gestation days 7 through 19. A fetal No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) was not identified in the rabbit.

Taking Lifitegrast While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Lifitegrast?

Breastmilk levels of lifitegrast have not been measured in humans. Because absorption from the eye is limited, ophthalmic lifitegrast would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. To substantially diminish the amount of drug that reaches the breastmilk after using eye drops, place pressure over the tear duct by the corner of the eye for 1 minute or more, then remove the excess solution with an absorbent tissue.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Breastmilk levels of lifitegrast have not been measured in humans. Because absorption from the eye is limited, ophthalmic lifitegrast would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. To substantially diminish the amount of drug that reaches the breastmilk after using eye drops, place pressure over the tear duct by the corner of the eye for 1 minute or more, then remove the excess solution with an absorbent tissue.

Possible effects of Lifitegrast on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Lifitegrast

None listed