Dry Eye Relief from Ibuprofen

[Randyw57]

My current daily regimen is this:

# One drop of Restasis in each eye, twice a day
# 2400 mg of flaxseed oil
# 100 mg of doxycycline
# Erythromycin ointment at bedtime
# About 9 vials of Systane
# Ocusoft Plus Lid Scrub
# Zylet drops as needed

I'd say with this regimen my eyes are still frequently red and sore. Sometimes worse than others.

Well, a while ago I injured the MCL in my left knee. I went to the doctor and he ordered an MRI to determine the extent of the problem. He also prescribed a tablet with 800 mg of Ibuprofen for me to take three times a day. Well, no sooner did I start taking this mega dose of ibuprofen than my eyes started to feel better. I noticed that the whites of my eyes were suddenly white rather than the reddish and blood shot look they normally have. I also noticed that my need for Systane dropped way off. This really surprised me because I always thought these anti-inflammants tend to cause the eyes to dry out even more.

I'm wondering if anyone else ever had an experience like this. And if there is possibly some 'science' behind what happened with me.

Thanks for any thoughts

[NYer]

I haven't had that experience because I can't take ibuprofen due to gastric problems, however, it totally makes sense. Your eyes are inflamed. You took an anti-inflammatory. Voila! Do you have rosacea? That's an inflammation.

[jlg_uk]

That's something I've been wondering. If NSAIDs can help with the inflammation of my eyelids. I've always been a little put off since I heard they can make dry eye worse.

[irish eyes]

My current daily regimen is this:

# One drop of Restasis in each eye, twice a day
# 2400 mg of flaxseed oil
# 100 mg of doxycycline
# Erythromycin ointment at bedtime
# About 9 vials of Systane
# Ocusoft Plus Lid Scrub
# Zylet drops as needed

I'd say with this regimen my eyes are still frequently red and sore. Sometimes worse than others.

Well, a while ago I injured the MCL in my left knee. I went to the doctor and he ordered an MRI to determine the extent of the problem. He also prescribed a tablet with 800 mg of Ibuprofen for me to take three times a day. Well, no sooner did I start taking this mega dose of ibuprofen than my eyes started to feel better. I noticed that the whites of my eyes were suddenly white rather than the reddish and blood shot look they normally have. I also noticed that my need for Systane dropped way off. This really surprised me because I always thought these anti-inflammants tend to cause the eyes to dry out even more.

I'm wondering if anyone else ever had an experience like this. And if there is possibly some 'science' behind what happened with me.

Thanks for any thoughts

Hi

That's great news. I have pondered taking higher doses of ibuprofen but wasn't confident of it working. Like you said, I thought it might make the eyes even more dry.

Is ibuprofen taken in addition to your current treatment or have you modified that? I take doxy and generous amounts of flaxseed etc but have problems with finding suitable eye drops / lid scrubs that do not irritate.

Many thanks

[bostonlover]

I have definitely made this connection too! I had to take 3 tablets (600mg) for something unrelated and about an hour later I was doing something that was tedious and would most likely cause me to not blink often but my eyes felt fine. They were white and healthy looking and were not watering! I was quite surprised! If only I could take it all the time, but of course you are looking to have other health problems related to long term use of Ibuprofen at that point.

[rubyslippers]

The only thing that helps my eyes when they get inflammed is consistent and regular doses of ibuprofen. It helps significantly. Alas, due to my gastric disorder it stirs that up. I can manage it if I take it with food and am careful with my diet, but I cannot take it more than a couple of days in a row. My doctor said it directly reduces inflammation. I had very severe inflammation last winter and it can be so miserable.

[autumnn]

It helps me significantly as well if I take regularly. If I take it before bed I wake up feeling better.

[calli66]

Ibuprofen has a positive effect on me---it calms down my IBS, reduces eye pain, reduces muscle and joint pain, and helps me sleep. But good grief---2400 mg per day sounds like a huge dose. I had the 600 mg tablets for a while and they gave me major nausea and diarrhea. I try to use ibuprofen sparingly---I take 2 tabs (400 mg) maybe 2-3 times a day, if I'm in pain.

You should definitely be taking it with plenty of food or water to prevent stomach/esophagus damage, and have liver function tests done, if you take it for a really long time.

C

[Mika]

That was exactly the same idea which floated in my mind during these weeks : I wanted to try ibruprofen!!
Since D.Latkany told me (on forum) dat I may be allergic (or even I may have rosacea - personal thought)... I was finking of taking ibuprofen.

Well I try it long before but wit a low dose :200 to 400mg for 1 week...
But hey Randy, u take 800 mg THRICE daily????????
According to wikipedia (my fav website) : over-the-counter preparations of ibuprofen are generally labeled to advise a maximum daily dose of 1,200 mg...

man, aren't u taking too much = 2400 mg!!!
are u considering it for long term usage?
be cautious!... ur LIVER is at stake here!...

[Mika]

Who is considering it for longterm use?
is it safe for LT?

Ohh, btw longg before i tried 400mg for 1 week (like i said) .. but it wasn't effective at all!!..

[stella]

I have to take NSAIDS every day for spinal osteo-arthritis - my Dr hates me being on them long term but i have no option in my opinion
I was taking them BEFORE i got my dry eyes and also non stop since - I cant really say i noticed any difference - i still got my dryeye really bad at first, and have got it more or less under control through eyelid hygiene and local antibiotic ointment to the lid margins

[NYer]

Prescription strength ibuprofen at 800 mg 3x daily is not a problem but you don't want to be on it for a long time.

[EllMitcho]

Interesting thread - here's something to throw into the mix - THIS IS NOT A SUGGESTION TO TRY THIS AS IT COULD BE DISASTEROUS FOR YOUR EYES ! merely a topic for futher discussion.

Ibuprofen would ligically reduce inflammation and help those who have this problem - however it is bad fo rthe liver etc long term - what about Ibuprofen GEL (for muscular aches etc) smeared lightly on the eylids?

Is there an ibuprofen based ointment or drop avail?

Regards

EllMitcho

[gz9gjg]

For long-term NSAID usage, check out naproxen, marketed as Aleve and also available in generic form.

I have osteoarthritis of the knee, and I use 1 - 2 tablets per day, every day to manage inflammation. Everything I have read says naproxen is the safest NSAID for long term use. That is not to say there is no warning on the label!

PS, it's Tylenol that damages the liver . . . I have never heard that Ibuprofen does.

There are creams like Aspercreme that have Salicylic acid - precursor of Aspirin - which I use for local inflammation and muscle aches. I would not recommend using it near the eyes however as it may cause irritation of the very delicate eye skin.

[Lucy]

My eye doc called on of the popular RX eye drops "tylenol for the eyes." I forget which it was--sorry. Lucy