Xiidra, the latest dry eye drug

[No tears in ATL]

No tears in ATL - Of all places to vent, I think you're safe here
How long did you say you had been on Xiidra? Before you cut down to once a day, I'd check with your doctor. He/she may know if they did any testing on once a day; if they know they won't work on once a day, no reason to go down to once a day. I don't think they are washing the good oils away but whatever inflammatory response they attack, it certainly didn't help me. I've given up on my eye appearance. Or maybe I'm just used to the red. My serum drops really help but my eyelid inflammation isn't affected by them. Plus, always putting drops in my eyes, it bothers some people. I can't worry about that though. My job is to take care of my eye health, not worry if someone cares if I'm not wearing makeup or that my eyes are red or that I have to put eye drops in constantly.

Thank you, potatocakes. I took Xiidra for 5 days and my eyes started to degrade at that point. It sounds like a small window of time, but I know what inflammation looks like and I didn't want to risk it further. I have a job, after all, and I can't risk missing days to recover.

I have no idea whether once a day would do any good, so I'll check. The self consciousness may never go away. I deal with colleagues, customers, and clients more than ever. Many times I get the comment over whether or not I am "tired," "sleepy," or "bored." My eyes reflexively droop just a bit when they are dry, especially in the afternoon, so I feel as though I have to explain myself and give the whole dry eye explanation. On top of that, I can't wear eye makeup in order to look more "awake." It's exhausting, and people look confused when I even talk about dry eye. Geez, we need a "Dry Eye for the Cure 5K," or something.

Mawsky, sorry I can't figure out how to double quote here. That said, I don't want my experience to discourage you. Please keep in mind that I am a severe case of dry eye. Restasis did not work for me, and burned as you described, but limiting contact lens use could be helpful. I wore contacts for over 20 years, and the Oasis brand was part of my daily wear, and although not entirely proven, my docs seem to think this contributed to my dry eye. Also, keep in mind that glasses are pretty fashionable now. : )

I wish you the best.: )

[Mawsky]

No tears in ATL I'm very reluctant to try this new med now, as like you I'm a severe case, basically I'm no tears here too, I literally can't even cry a tear, it's been about 6-7 years now. Crazy as this sounds I never wore contacts before my dry eyes, I wear them now because my eyes feel better with them, I need corrective lenses but basically I'm wearing them as a bandage contact. After my experience with restasis I never want to go through again! Hopefully there will be more help for this condition that compromises so many of our lives, and I hear you people just don't have a clue about it, it's effect on my life is much more than others understand, im even limited on my driving as no more freeways for me, I've almost killed myself putting drops in at 60 MPH, wish you the best and hope your eyes recover from this med soon.

[janeliz]

I have been on Xiidra since October 2, 2016. I am still miserable. I also started Restasis before that - on September 9. So I am doing both right now. I cut down the xiidra to once a day, because my eyes were very (mucusy?). But I'm going back up to 2 doses per day. I'll try anything. I put Xiidra in one eye, then wait 1/2 hour to do the other eye. That is because everything is blurry for about 1/2 hour after putting a drop in. Can Restasis and Xiidra be used simultaneously? -signed, Sitting-by-a-humidifier.

[No tears in ATL]

I have been on Xiidra since October 2, 2016. I am still miserable. I also started Restasis before that - on September 9. So I am doing both right now. I cut down the xiidra to once a day, because my eyes were very (mucusy?). But I'm going back up to 2 doses per day. I'll try anything. I put Xiidra in one eye, then wait 1/2 hour to do the other eye. That is because everything is blurry for about 1/2 hour after putting a drop in. Can Restasis and Xiidra be used simultaneously? -signed, Sitting-by-a-humidifier.

Janeliz, I really do not know. My first instinct is to say that Restasis and Xiidra fight different types of inflammation. So until you know what type of inflammation you have (and most of us don't) I would say to stick with the one that makes you feel better. I know, "trial and error" is the last thing you want to hear right now....

I checked with my doc and asked directly, "What type of dry eye did your patients have who reported success with Xiidra? Low, moderate or severe?" That could give you some idea.

[No tears in ATL]

No tears in ATL I'm very reluctant to try this new med now, as like you I'm a severe case, basically I'm no tears here too, I literally can't even cry a tear, it's been about 6-7 years now. Crazy as this sounds I never wore contacts before my dry eyes, I wear them now because my eyes feel better with them, I need corrective lenses but basically I'm wearing them as a bandage contact. After my experience with restasis I never want to go through again! Hopefully there will be more help for this condition that compromises so many of our lives, and I hear you people just don't have a clue about it, it's effect on my life is much more than others understand, im even limited on my driving as no more freeways for me, I've almost killed myself putting drops in at 60 MPH, wish you the best and hope your eyes recover from this med soon.

Mawsky, Restasis was pretty awful for me as well. All I can say is that humidity is always your best friend. They make some pretty neat car humidifiers these days. Goggles are an option, too. Please do not put drops in while on the road (obviously, you know by now)...we would miss you terribly on the forum if something ever happened!

[Deb]

My doctor gave me Xiidra at my request. I have used Restasis for about 10 years but I have never been convinced it helped. I made the switch two days ago but since it takes at least 2 weeks to work, I wonder if I should stay on Restasis for two weeks, as well. I am only the second patient my eye doctor has given Xiidra to, so he has little experience with it. Can anyone who has made the switch tell me if their eye doctor had them continue Restasis for the first two weeks of using Xiidra, or did you just switch from one to the other?

[chameleon]

I had posted about my mom's ear problems possibly being related to Xiidra but I think i was mistaken.... I found out she didn't start Xiidra until after the main ear problems. I'll update if any significant developments.

[vannyvv]

I had been managed on Restasis for years but decided to try Xiidra to see if I could get better results. After 1-2 weeks of xiidra my left eye began watering NONSTOP. I started getting redness on my skin around my eye from the irritation of constant tears falling out of my eye. I blotted with tissue as much as possible. I continued for a week as annoying as it was, hoping this would get better with time, but it didn't. I then discontinued Xiidra at week 3. It is now 8 days later and my left eye is still watering constantly . Has anyone had this issue with Xiidra and then stopped? How long did it take to get better and how long were you on the Xiidra?

To note, I tried xiidra several months ago and the same thing happened but at that time I stopped after a few days of excessive tearing, and the tearing subsided quickly.

I am just quite worried that my eye is still tearing so much after stopping Xiidra. and the watering is not due to dry eyes because I've continued on restasis.. I do see 5% of patients have excessive tearing from xiidra from the drug profile info. but it makes me worry that it is still happening 8 days after stopping! what if its a permanent side effect. would welcome any feedback from anyone who has had similar side effects!

[lobiroxy]

Does anyone find it so frustrating to get the liquid out of the vial on the first try? I have been a lifelong user of individual dose eyedrops (from Refresh vials since the early 90's and a former Ophthalmic Asst so I'm not an idiot....I know how to put drops in my eyes and the eyes of thousands of patients). What is wrong with Xiidra's drop delivery--is there some type of air bubble or something? I look up at it unblinking and the minute I'm taking it away from my face to investigate it spills down my cheek. This is the same song and dance EVERY day!!!

[ostas12345]

Hello
I would just like to share information about my experience with Xiidra eye drops
My experience is rather negative. I used Xiidra eye drops for 3 months twice per day (every 12 hours) and unfortunately didn't feel any improvement
In addition there was this untold stinging in the eyes soon after instilling these drops which goes away after several minutes similarly to what other users described here.
And also there was this funny chemical taste in the mouth afterwards, taste of Xiidra I guess
Perhaps because tear ducts are connected to nose and throat so we can "drink" Xiidra and other eye drops this way
but I gotta say stinging of Optimel Manuka eye drops packs an even bigger knockout than stinging of Xiidra eye drops
eyes seem to adapt to this drug and stinging becomes less painful with time
I managed to extract 3-7 drops of Xiidra from each vial when You squeeze the vial or shake it a bit carefully
Perhaps there would be lesser stinging if there was smaller concentration/bigger dilution of Lifitegrast in these vials. Xiidra has 5% (50 mg/ml) of active chemical substance so that every vial of 0.2 ml contains 10 mg of Lifitegrast. That is quite high concentration compared to other eye drops