Lifitegrast ophthalmic and Stinging: What Users Say

• Kan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "I can't comment on the effectiveness of the medicine, as I didn't use it long enough to see. Besides the stinging and gross taste, which my eye specialist told me would be side effects... within 1 week of first using it, I started noticing that I had no eyelashes in the outer or inner corners of my eye (where the medicine would sit before it drained). After a few more days of thinking it was a coincidence... I had no eyelashes at all! Not to my surprise, after I stopped the medication, my eyelashes grew in."

• VKP...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 23, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "I have suffered from severe dry eye for a long time. Initially, I had been prescribed Restasis, but it turns out I’m one of the few who happens to be allergic to it. I’ve gone through an arsenal of dry eye treatments to include LipiFlow. Nothing worked. Six months ago, I looked into IOL surgery with the hopes of forgoing contacts and lessening my dry eye symptoms, but my doctor wanted to improve my tear film and production before even considering it and prescribed Xiidra. It’s very expensive without the help of insurance, even with the discount card from the manufacturer, and it stings even after religious use for the past six months. But after 10 minutes, I use a preservative-free artificial tear to remedy that. After about two months, my eyes started to feel better. They weren't as dry, and I was using artificial tears less frequently. I also no longer wanted to pluck my eyeballs out of my head, which was a good sign. My vision has improved so much that I had to change my prescription."

• Sea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2017

"Have been using Xiidra for 6 weeks and have noticed a marked improvement in my eyes. I have blepharitis and meibomian. I also wear gas perm contacts and was down to being able to wear them for 2 hours a day and now up to 10 hours. Still using warm compresses and lid scrubs, but since using Xiidra, I have noticed a marked improvement in tear production and eye oil production. Stinging has decreased to a few seconds, and bad taste lasts only a minute or less. Cloudy vision can last 5 to 10 minutes...sometimes none present."

• blo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "I have been on Xiidra for two months. I have chronic dry eye due to hypothyroidism. I use Xiidra twice daily (morning and night). The initial sensation of the stinging is strong and painful and is accompanied by itching. Then I have a lovely white discharge from each eye. After the morning dose, my vision is severely compromised due to blurriness that extends an hour or longer after administering the morning drop, as well as continued dry eye symptoms throughout the day. After having used Xiidra for a few weeks, I noticed horrible puffy eyes. I have not used the Xiidra in a few days, and already the puffiness has greatly subsided. I will opt for over-the-counter drops as opposed to Xiidra, which didn't do anything but cause my eyes to swell. Hope this helps others experiencing similar symptoms/side effects."

• Gig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 22, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "I have extreme dry eyes, and my doctor recommended this. I've used them for 4 months. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to stop. I had slight stinging in my eyes and a metallic taste. Now they are giving me migraines, so bad I was vomiting. They worked for the dryness, but I can't live with the migraines. I'm so disappointed."

• Aus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 26, 2023

For Dry Eye Disease "99% sure it made my condition permanently worse. I had mild dry eye before using this product that was tolerable, but a bit of a nuisance. A bad optometrist gave me this right off the bat. Used it for 2 months with no difference while using it, however, just a few days after I stopped taking it, my condition worsened 10-fold. I'm not sure if it was a rebound reaction or what, but my eyes are now in terrible pain every single day. Red, scratchy, stinging, every blink hurts. I want my old life back before I took this drug. It's destroyed my life, and now I'm dealing with the mental toll of that and suicidal thoughts."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "I had been on Restasis and hadn't had any trouble with it, just the occasionally severe dry eyes that come with Sjögren's syndrome when my insurance company, Medicaid, decided to switch me to Xiidra. The burning and stinging was so bad it literally staggered me the first time I used these drops. My eyes hurt like crazy for an hour after and were so blurry I couldn't see. The pain was so bad that I didn't use these drops again for several months. I just made do with OTC drops till I got worse, then tried Xiidra again, determined to push through and give it a couple of months to see if the pain eased up any after a while. It did not, and I tried getting Restasis again, but my insurance won't cover it and it's $1,800/month otherwise, which is completely undoable for me. So I don't know what I'm going to do now."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "Have been using Xiidra for two months. I noticed a difference after the first day. It can sting a little at first, and my vision is a little blurry for about 10 minutes after putting in the drops. I get no metallic taste or other side effects. It works extremely well for me. I’m on a plan through Xiidra where they pay all my co-pay except for $5. A three-month supply cost me $15."

• Ash...
• July 10, 2017

"I've been using this for about 7-8 months now. Can actually wear my contacts again for the entire day and rarely use any OTC drops like Systane. Has really changed my life. I did notice the stinging over time gradually increased, but my friend, who's an eye surgeon, suggested putting them in the fridge. I leave the box in the fridge now and apply cold, and it takes all the sting away. Actually feels very soothing."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "I want these to work. Dry eye disease is not anything I would wish on anyone. My right eye is my worst. It is always itchy and watery and stinging...with or without the Xiidra. I haven't noticed a huge difference, and they burn like hell when you put them in. And then my eyes get super goopy, so I am wiping out eye boogies most of the day. Is there really nothing better? Insurance doesn't want to pay, so I am relying on the coupons available."

• Jan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 7, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "This drug completely saved my life. I had tried EVERYTHING for extremely painful dry eye - Restasis, supplements, warm compress, etc. I honestly didn't have high hopes for Xiidra, but after a week, my eyes didn't bother me anymore. Whereas my eye pain used to run my life, I don't even think about my eyes anymore. Please give it a try - yes, it did sting horribly for the first few days, now I don't feel it when I put them in."

• lio...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2017

"I administered these drops twice a day for 2 days. I experienced the stinging, blurriness, and metallic taste in my mouth, but that went away after about 20 minutes. On the third day, it left my right eye so, so blurred. Again, blurriness is a side effect, but it did not go away. I am on day 4, and I can't see out of my right eye. It's extremely blurry and scary, seeing as I've had both my eyes for all my life. The doctor said it's an allergic reaction and gave me artificial tears to 'flush out' the Xiidra. Basically, it's a waiting game on my vision to come back. I will be in and out of my doctor's office until I get some improvement. I guess just beware and see if there's anything milder to try first."

• haw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "Restasis had no effect other than stinging/burning and using my money. Within a couple of days using Xiidra, I noticed a difference. I did experience the blurry vision, bad taste/drainage down the back of my throat, minimal burning, white (almost fluorescent-like) discharge. However, I was using almost no daily lubricant eye drops, and things were improving so much that I now use Xiidra only before going to bed. Stinging is minimal now, I rarely need eye drops at work, but still have some of the bad taste down my throat, which I alleviate with a soft drink/juice, but totally worth it."

• Unh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2020

For Dry Eye Disease "I used Xiidra at first a year ago. I didn't use it regularly because of the initial stinging and nasty taste that goes down your sinuses to the back of your throat. I would use it off and on for my dry eye symptoms. Eventually, I used it up and didn't use it again until just recently with a new prescription. I've been using it as prescribed twice a day, 12 hours apart for the last week and a half, and now I have eye floaters in my right eye, which is a huge nuisance. Also, my eyes are often puffy around the lids and sticky with tears because they are stinging. I won't use it again, especially after reading similar experiences. I can't wait for it to get out of my system. I'll go back to using over-the-counter drops and holistic measures at night, and when I am resting. That's all that comforts me. The back of my throat has also been scratchy."

• Ron...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "I was prescribed this Xiidra because Restasis is not covered by insurance. I have used it for 4 days now, twice a day, and I love it. My mucus production has decreased, and the same with the watery eyes is not as severe. Yes, it stings really bad, I keep my eyes closed and use a cool washcloth for a few minutes to help work through this. I have not used the steroid eye drops that were prescribed too because this one has seemed to do the trick."

• aha...
• March 28, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "In addition to the side effects noted in these other posts-the stinging, the gooey AM discharge, the blurriness, the irritation to my throat and larynx, the cough, the inappropriate tearing on one side only, I've also experienced significant changes to my voice (a potential disaster for a singer/voice actor). When I mentioned this to my physician and expressed concern that my symptoms were beginning to mimic those of two friends who had died of esophageal cancer-and wondered aloud if the T-cell inhibitors might be going systemic-she suggested I quit and see if I noticed a difference. Five days later I am up at 3 AM with the most distressing itchy, aching, coughing, post-nasal drip I've ever experienced in my life. Unable to sleep, I came to this site to see if this might be a common withdrawal symptom or if the awful sensation in the back of my throat is just a coincidence. (I've not had a cold in decades, and my nasal tissues are not affected.)"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "I used Xiidra for the first time last night, and my eyes hurt so much because of the sting. My vision was blurry, and in general, I went to sleep with a very uncomfortable feeling. When I woke up this morning, both eyes were red and stingy. I applied again this morning, and it was very bad. I am afraid that if I continue using it, it could damage my eyes. I will not continue, and will continue with Restasis. Better safe than sorry. It was really painful to apply Xiidra."

• Cat...
• December 15, 2020

For Dry Eye Disease "I have been using Xiidra for about two weeks for dry eyes and ocular rosacea. I noticed improvement in how my eyes felt as early as day three. They feel so moist at last! I was surprised at first by the stinging upon application, but it’s gotten better. I have no mental taste, no mucus, etc., and no blurry vision. I split the dosage and use one drop in the morning on each eye, wrap up the dropper, and then apply one more drop before bed from the same vial. Because of that, I can extend the monthly amount to two months, and it seems to be more sensitive on my eyes. So far, I am loving it."

• Ang...
• October 11, 2017

"I have used Xiidra now for 4 months. My experience is 'wow!'. I finally don't need to use any other eye drops. I even survived the smoke and very dry air in Southern California (2% humidity) with just Xiidra alone. I highly recommend it! You may end up getting more tears than you wanted, and yes, it does sting when you drop it in for a few minutes! All that is worth it!"

• All...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 20, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "I've been using Xiidra for about a week. So far, I am very disappointed. My eyes sting and itch most of the day, and my vision is blurry for a long time after application. When I wake up in the mornings, my eyes are puffy and kind of sticky. I'll try them for a little longer, but I do not feel very optimistic."

• Meg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 29, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "Xiidra causes some stinging, discharge in the morning, and had a gross taste, but my eyes have never felt better! I was constantly putting drops in my eyes, and sometimes my eyes were so blurry and dry that my glasses didn’t even help me see. This drop has been a real life changer for me!"

• Ast...
• May 27, 2017

"I am 53 and have dry eye disease due to upper and lower lid surgery 3 months ago. Went through a few rounds of steroids along with artificial tears non-stop all day. Nothing seemed to be working to relieve the constant tightness, redness, irritation. Started Xiidra 3 weeks ago and another round of steroids. It does sting initially, plus a bad taste others mention, which both disappeared within 5 minutes. Eyes are more clear and not as irritated. Not 100% yet, but it works for me. Other items I can suggest are a humidifier at night, Muro 128 drops/ointment by Bausch and Lomb for night, Retaine dry eye relief."

• Sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "The eye dr had me take Xiidra. I took it for a week, using it in each eye. My eyes were watering so much with dry eyes. Then the drops started stinging my eyes so badly, and my vision was so blurry. I decided to stop using the drops."

• San...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "I have tried Xiidra for 1 week after a long period of getting preauthorization approval required by my insurance (Medicare and BCBS). I stopped it today to see if symptoms would go away. Although my eyes could handle the drops (sting) and dry eye improved, the taste remained a long time, and I feared I was ingesting the drops because I had a loss of appetite and nausea and was headachy. I will report to my doctors next week."

• K C...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 12, 2024

For Dry Eye Disease "This is my follow-up. I have been on Xiidra since the FDA approved it in 2016. It was originally made by Shire but has since been sold, and I think the formula has changed slightly. It used to sting, and my vision would be blurry for 20 or more minutes after using the drop. For the past two years or so, I do not get the sting or the blurry vision. I still cannot praise this medication enough. I know most people do not take the time to fill out a review when things are good. I want to tell everyone, this medication saved my vision. I was also finally diagnosed with autoimmune diseases. I have MCTD and psoriasis. I noticed reading over some other reviews that others with autoimmune diseases also have positive experiences. Xiidra claims to reduce the LFA-1 on T cells and reduce cytokine release. Maybe it works better for those of us with autoimmune diseases. All I know is I have very severe DED, and Xiidra has made the most positive impact! Get the Insider Card to make it less costly."