Salagen question

[lizlou29]

My ophthalmologist started me on Salagen today. I have a Schirmmer's of 0 in both eyes but no dry mouth and tested negative for Sjogren's.

I've taken one tablet and it's increased saliva production and I've broken out in a cold sweat. Eyes don't feel much different but they were incredibly sore before I had all the anaesthetic drops and usual tests anyway. My question is, do the cold sweats happen everytime you use them? I have rosacea and whilst I'm not flushing my face is sweating a lot!

[LaDiva]

I took salagen for about a month. It did not help my eyes, but did increase saliva. The doctors are wary of it, but I don't know why. I guess sweating can be a side effect. This says to drink plenty of water if you are sweating: http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-237-...e=Salagen+Oral Hope it works for you Lizlou.

[Guest]

I took Salagen for my eyes, and stayed on it for a long time (I'd guess about 2 years total?) I took 5mg four times daily.

Anyhow, the drug makes everything run - you sweat more, you salivate more, you'll tear more (if you're lucky!), your nose might run etc.

For me, about 20 minutes after taking it, I'd notice more moisture in my eyes - it was subtle, certainly not like they were gushing tears or anything, but was better than nothing.

Initially, I tried to increase to 5mg four times daily over maybe a couple of weeks? But that caused me to have an annoying cough (think it flared up my asthma, although I wasn't diagnosed yet back then), and the sweating was really noticeable.

So, I started from scratch again. The second time around, I took 5 mg once daily for 4 weeks, then 5mg twice daily for 4 weeks, then 5mg three times daily for 4 weeks, then 5mg four times daily thereafter. I found the undesirable side effects much less noticeable that time around. (or maybe I just had more time to get used to them... who knows hehe)

re: sweating

I'd just take care not to dress too warmly, to prevent sweating too much.

[lizlou29]

I took the second one last night at bedtime as instructed and quickly felt very nauseous and had a horrible headache, along with the cold sweat it felt similar to having flu and I barely slept. Not sure this is for me unfortunately. It was pretty much a last resort as nothing is working. Opth said the oil production is slightly better than before but AD is much worse.

I can imagine Salagen is good for those with a dry mouth and nose but I didn't notice any effect on my eyes.

[Guest]

I didn't notice any effect on my eyes.

Bummer... well, at least now you know if it's any use or not... can't know unless you try, right?

[nadz]

My hubbie was advised to take Salogen in very small doses first of all and to progress to full doses after 8 weeks, depending on how he tolerated it. So, he started on half a tablet per day and increased slowly, but there was no difference to his eyes and the side effects were unpleasant.

He does not have sjogrens, but has 0 & 1.5 schirmers, rosacea and blepharitis. His doc said if it didn't do anything for tear production after 6 months its unlikely it will. It was worth a try for that time, but he discontinued it.

You may want to try very small and build from there.