meds that DON'T cause dry eye

[poppy]

Almost every medication on the market has a possible side effect of dry mouth or dry eye. A lot of meds only list dry mouth, but I've heard that anything that lists dry mouth can also cause dry eye.

There isn't a lot of info out there as to the severity or frequency of the dry mouth/eye. It's usually just "may cause...". It's frustrating. Plus doctors that I've asked have been clueless.

So, I'm looking for any form of medication that may help my severe insomnia and not aggravate my severe dry eyes. Doesn't have to be specifically a sleep med, can be for example an anti depressant that causes drowsiness or any other kind of medication. I know that almost any meds that aid sleep can cause dryness, so even if it's something that is statistically less likely to cause dryness that is enough... thanks.

[alisonW]

There is a herbal supplement that helps me to sleep - it's call Knock Out by Schiff and contains melatonin, valerian root, and theanine. It hasn't caused my eyes to be drier. (I don't take it regularly though - only occasionally.) On a daily basis, chamomile tea before bed helps me tremondously. Hth!

[lulu]

Unfortunately most meds that will help you to sleep,calm down, feel happier or just have less pain have the potential to cause dryness of any of mucous membrane's, the eyes being no exception. However, there are a fair number of people who take what at first appears to be "anti-cholenergic" meds that have little impact upon thier dry eyes. Its often a case of giving it a go and you will know soon enough if things are troublesome. Its frustrating when things are very difficult and you need to get some much needed rest from your symptoms. I cannot take any pain meds at the mo, neither can I take many anti depressants, so I know how annoying it is, and in addition some doctors do not always accept that the side effects are simply not going to be helpfull.
You could try 5 HTP which you can get from health stores, it is quite a powerful anti depressant and is tryptofan basically. It takes time and is not a quick fix but some find it helpfull. I noticed a difference but had to stop as my tummy got quite upset and I was having to rush to the loo. Others have found it to be usefull. Not all anti depressants dry everyone out, I know someone on here did find Venlafaxine really helpfull and it did not dry him out. I am on a small dose of Mirtazipine which does dry the mouth, but my dose is so tiny, I dont think it has made my horrendous dry eyes any worse, but I have cut the dose down as of two years ago. Perhaps it is too small, but it can sometimes help my sleep which is a start. I have tried cutting it out and noticed no change in my eyes, so went back on it. Like you, I need a crutch, without that extra help with sleep, I would not cope. I do have other painful health issues which keep me awake anyhow, but you might get some relief with a small dose of a med.
Chamomile is really a good place to start as well as mentioned in the other post, I cannot take it because it burns my already damaged bladder, but that is me and is not commonplace for most folk. I would imagine from reading your other posts that you have tried so much and I do understand where you are coming from, but there is usually something that you have not tried even when you think all is lost. ( I am in a similiar position to yourself)
I would avoid some of the older anti depressants like Amitriptyline as they really are very drying, although there again,some have said that they have helped the nerve pain in the eye, as that is part of thier profile, for me they were dry.
You are welcome to PM me if you would like/
Lulu

[Hopeful2]

There is a manual that pharmacists use to refer to medications. (not sure of the name of this one in particular). This manual has a chart that rates the cholinergenic (drying) effects of the various antidepressants. Of the 'newer' SSRIs, I believe Zoloft was rated as the least drying and Effexor was listed as one of the most drying.

I would imagine that other medications and their drying effects would be rated in this manual as well. We never know when we are going to need some medications , it would be good to know that we are getting something with a 'lower' rating.

Hopeful2

[MaryVa61]

I did not do well with any meds tried for sleep, but other things helped. You may have entirely different health/sleep problems than me though. This is what I did:

Tylenol Arthritis at bedtime. Turned out some of my sleep problem was due to having just enough pain that it interfered with sleep. The TA also turned out to be helpful for my morning headaches (by taking at bedtime).

Checked side effects listed for all my meds and supplements to check for sleep problems or sleepiness and made necessary changes based on that. Moved my Calcium dose (was already on) to after supper, since it can make you a little groggy. Re-checked what my proper Magnesium dose should be (online & with doctor), and upped it accordingly. Relaxes my muscle tension, so helpful for sleep. Does not make groggy.

Bedroom is now very, very dark and very quiet. And even got rid of electric alarm clock at bedside because gave off too much light, disturbing sleep. Avoiding caffiene (including chocolate), at least in afternoon/eve. Got extremely comfortable mattress. Changed routine a couple hours before bed so it's very calm, quiet, lights low, in PJ's early and wash face early (it wakes you up) so can just relax that last hour and watch TV (w/volume low) etc. And I don't watch "exciting" TV for that last 1/2-1 hour. Books are too interesting to me, make me not want to go to sleep. I know if you have kids, all this may be impossible!

May sound silly and like it wouldn't work. But it works for me even though diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and sleep was a major problem in the past. I feel lucky I could avoid meds and spare the eyes that one issue at least. Good luck to you with your search.

Mary

[poppy]

thanks for your replies guys. Gives me something to think about. If only consumers had access to this pharmacist manual hopeful2.

[spmcc]

If only consumers had access to this pharmacist manual hopeful2.

It's called the PDR (Physicians' Desk Reference). It's in every doctor's exam room that I've ever been in the US and Canada. It may also be at your public library. Altho keep in mind that it's updated yearly so the library may have an old copy.

I think it would be very easy to go to a doctor's office and ask to look at a copy. I'd do it, no problem.

[Ahmed]

There are several manuals, theres Minims, BNF etc.

However be advised, just because they may say "this can cause x, y, and z," it may not do, and the drug manufactures really try to cover themselves, so they list every possible scenerio, which is not that helpful to anyone.

The only medications that really cause dryness are roaccutane (for acne) , rarely thyroxine, anti histamines seem to have a mild effect. Other than that I think the chance of getting increased dryness from other meds is very very low.

[littlemermaid]

http://www.dryeyezone.com/talk/showt...ght=#post65115
Just in case anyone hasn't seen it, this is a truly awesome post on this topic and kindly lists online formularies and access to US FDA drug reaction reports.

[littlemermaid]

http://www.dryeyezone.com/talk/showt...ght=#post65115

[spmcc]

I don't believe that drug companies casually add side effects to their drug profiles just to cover their a$$es. This will make the drugs appear less appealing. They will *only* list side effects reported by test subjects.

However, whether a person is affected by a certain side effect is an individual thing.


There are a number of types of common medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, that can cause (or worsen) dry eyes. They include:

* antihypertensives
* diuretics
* angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
* antihistamines and decongestants
* sleeping pills
* birth control pills
* antidepressants
* isotretinoin-type drugs (e.g., Accutane)
* opiate-based pain relievers

Due to our increased sensitivity to drying effects, any medicine (Rx or OTC) that lists "dry mouth" and/or "constipation" as a side effect should warrant caution.

[Hopeful2]

Informative link to prescription drugs and effect on eyes.

http://www.naturaleyecare.com/FAQ/qu...-harm-eyes.asp

Antibiotics, when prescribed topically for eye problems side effects may include allergic conjunctivitis (red eye). Systemic antibiotics taken orally, intramuscularly, or intravenously to fight bacterial infections may cause some visual symptoms. For example: 1. Synthetic penicillins (amoxicillin and ampicillin) can cause some mild redness of the eyes, itching, and dry eyes.

Reading this makes me really reluctant to be taking oral antibiotics. . . any thoughts?

[Schatten]

Informative link to prescription drugs and effect on eyes.

http://www.naturaleyecare.com/FAQ/qu...-harm-eyes.asp

Antibiotics, when prescribed topically for eye problems side effects may include allergic conjunctivitis (red eye). Systemic antibiotics taken orally, intramuscularly, or intravenously to fight bacterial infections may cause some visual symptoms. For example: 1. Synthetic penicillins (amoxicillin and ampicillin) can cause some mild redness of the eyes, itching, and dry eyes.

Reading this makes me really reluctant to be taking oral antibiotics. . . any thoughts?

Well not as long as they are prescribed with responsibility and not for every small cold. A good doctor will prescribe them only if you really need them. And then you should take'em.

[Ahmed]

I don't believe that drug companies casually add side effects to their drug profiles just to cover their a$$es. This will make the drugs appear less appealing. They will *only* list side effects reported by test subjects.

However, whether a person is affected by a certain side effect is an individual thing.


There are a number of types of common medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, that can cause (or worsen) dry eyes. They include:

* antihypertensives
* diuretics
* angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
* antihistamines and decongestants
* sleeping pills
* birth control pills
* antidepressants
* isotretinoin-type drugs (e.g., Accutane)
* opiate-based pain relievers

Due to our increased sensitivity to drying effects, any medicine (Rx or OTC) that lists "dry mouth" and/or "constipation" as a side effect should warrant caution.

If you look at the side effects listed in the books, you will see what I mean, if you took them all seriously, you would never use any medications. Also like I said, in reality its only really roaccutane thats strongly linked to dryness, Im not aware of any others that I have found have actually caused/increased dryness. Im happy to be corrected, but from my experience, what I have said is true.

[spmcc]

It is common knowledge that certain medications decrease tear production.

From wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keratoc...ivitis_sicca):

Drugs such as isotretinoin, sedatives, diuretics, tricyclic antidepressants, antihypertensives, oral contraceptives, antihistamines, nasal decongestants, beta-blockers, phenothiazines, atropine, and pain relieving opiates such as morphine can cause or worsen [dry eye] condition.

From the Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dry...SECTION=causes :

Medications that can cause dry eyes include:
Certain types of drugs used to treat high blood pressure, such as central-acting agents and diuretics
Antihistamines and decongestants
Birth control pills
Certain antidepressants
Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve)
Isotretinoin-type drugs for treatment of acne

From http://www.agingeye.net/mainnews/dryeye.php :

Dry eye also can be caused by certain medications, including antihistamines, some antidepressants, birth control pills, nasal decongestants, and the prescription acne drug Accutane.

University of Michigan http://www.kellogg.umich.edu/patient.../dry.eye.html:

A wide variety of common medications that can cause dry eye include diuretics; betablockers; antihistamines; sleeping pills; medications for "nerves"; pain relievers; or alcohol.

http://www.eyecaresource.com/conditi...dications.html

Here's a look at some of the different medications that have been reported to cause dry eyes:

•Antihistamines
•Antidepressants
•Sleeping Pills - Over-the-counter sleep aids, as well as prescription sleep aids will cause these side effects.
•Birth Control Pills
•Diuretics
•ACE Inhibitors
•Isotretinoin-Type Drugs
•Opiates

Some peer-reviewed journal references from pubmed:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21684522 - 2011... antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17617284 - 2007... oral antihistamine

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16565363 - 2006... OTC pain meds

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15083682 - 2003... antidepressants, betablockers, diuretics, oral contraceptives

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3898476 - 1985... beta-blocker and atropine

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3985085 - 1985... diuretic

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/429237 - From 1979... atropine in the animal model (dogs), but you can also find papers on cats and horses.