Xiidra and Bad Taste: What Users Say (Page 2)

• cfa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "I used this for 2 weeks as prescribed. I got the burning and bad taste, however, the worst for me was the headache every time I used it. I did not notice a difference in my dry eye either. I would not recommend this."

• ama...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "I have been taking this for one month for dry eye syndrome. It's horrible. The burn goes on for about 30 seconds, every single time! It leaves this horrible taste in your mouth, but it does go away. But the burn is terrible and never gets better."

• Ker...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 12, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "I've been using Xiidra for a full 30 days now, and I seem to notice a difference. My eyes were so terrible that I couldn't read at night, which is my favorite thing. They hurt so bad that I could only stand about 15 minutes. I haven't noticed that problem anymore. I use the drops in the morning and at night. The only side effects I've experienced are the blurry, itchy eyes right after insertion (this only lasts for about 10 minutes) and the awful taste in my mouth. It's kind of like when I use nasal spray and it drains down the back of my throat. To me, it's well worth it. The only time I've experienced pain is when I forgot to take them one night and was about 6 hours late on my dosage."

• 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."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "I tried Xiidra on and off for a couple of months. I thought it might have been helping my dry eye, but I also experienced the terrible taste in the back of my throat. I tried the suggestions when putting in drops - closing my eyes, pressure on the inner corner, etc. Two nights ago, I put in drops right before bed. The next morning, shortly after waking, I started noticing the terrible taste. I tried several things to get rid of it, but it was still there 18 hours later. In addition, my stomach was upset all day, including cramps and diarrhea. I think I'll go back to trying to treat it naturally."

• Joa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "I was on Restasis for over 10 years, and my new insurance refused to continue to pay for it. Without any eye drop, I felt like there was always sand in my eyes, and making tears was nonexistent. They would pay for Xiidra, so I tried it. I also take fish oil and flaxseed oil, as well as using Thera-Tears. When any eye drops are stored in the refrigerator, the burning is less. I tried Xiidra for 2 weeks, and the side effects were too much for me to continue. The burning was too much from Xiidra, and I can only say it was like perhaps battery acid. I had 3 hours of blurry vision after using Xiidra, and the taste was horrible. I cannot use Xiidra and only wish I could go back to Restasis. My eyesight is everything to me, and I will not risk these side effects because I do not know what would happen long term."

• Eni...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "Using Xiidra, I get a side effect of blurred vision about 1 hour after using the drops. Slightly bad taste on the back of my throat, but not so bad. My vision is better in my affected eye. 3 weeks using this medication."

• Snk...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2016

"I have severe dry eye. I was using punctal plugs and Restasis and getting about 75% relief. My insurance quit paying for both and said they would pay for one or the other. I have been suffering for over a year now with just punctal plugs until my eye doctor suggested Xiidra. Believe it or not, the insurance authorized it (even though the cost is the same as Restasis... go figure). I have been on it for about three weeks now and am getting pretty good relief. The only thing I don't like is the bad taste I get in the back of my throat from it. I keep hoping this will go away, but it hasn't yet. I would say that it works better than Restasis and much faster, too! I would recommend that anyone with dry eye give Xiidra a try."

• Ksr...
• February 13, 2017

"I have been on this medicine for five days, and my eyes are NORMAL again!! I have severe dry eye and constant tearing... this has been going on for years, but for the past two months, it's been constant and unbearable. I am so grateful for this medicine! I got my first dose for free... my insurance doesn't cover it... $487 full price. The company that makes Xiidra contacted my insurance company and my eye doctor... waiting to hear if they'll deem it medically necessary... which it is... then they may add it for me. The savings card will give a discount for a year as well... waiting to hear from them as to how much it will cost with that. The only side effect I have is a bitter taste in the back of my mouth for 15-30 minutes after using it. Worth it!!!"

• Meg...
• June 3, 2017

"I have inflammation and severe dry eye, and I have been using Xiidra for just under two weeks. I have been instructed to only wear my glasses for the first two weeks, so I haven't noticed much improvement. I go back to the eye doctor in two days to see if Xiidra is working for me. I have to use the drops once in the morning and once at night, and I have noticed the drops don't burn at all first thing in the morning. But the evening use of them burns like crazy! I'm on day 12, and this burning in the evenings is not letting up! I really hope it gets better and less painful to use the drops. I definitely experience the blurred vision after the drops and a little bit of a taste in my mouth. No nausea or headaches."

• Kai...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 26, 2017

"I was diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome 8 years ago, and my worst symptom is eye dryness. My doctor told me about Xiidra about 8 months ago, and I have been using it ever since. My dryness has improved significantly! I had a terrible taste in my mouth when I started using it, and while that hasn't totally gone away, it is definitely not as noticeable. The results have been amazing, and I really don't think I could live without it now. Almost every time I blink, tears form. That has never been the case for most of my life."

• 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."

• Poo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "I had been on Restasis for years with no problems. My Dr. gave me a pamphlet, which I was supposed to get the Xiidra free the 1st month, then $10.00 thereafter. Didn't work. It cost me $95.00. I've used it for over 3 months, and my eyes stay blurred for up to an hour after instilling. Upon initial application, they burn, and the taste is horrible. My vision, after stopping this, is now much more blurred and worse than when I started. I'm glad from the reviews since people have good results; however, I would not recommend it from my experience. Now I'm stuck with an expensive product I can't use or get a refund!"

• mic...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 27, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "Almost 3 years I have been using Xiidra, now I have lost capacity of taste in my mouth, everything tastes bitter and my mouth feels numb when I eat something. My dry eyes are not so much better since taking this medicine. I wonder how much they really tested it before selling it to the public. This should be investigated."

• JRo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "I received a free trial from my eye Dr and mentioned to him the bad taste in the back of my throat that others have mentioned. He suggested pinching the very top of my nose where my eyes meet the nose for about 30 seconds immediately after putting the drops in my eyes. Completely solved the bad taste problem as it allows the drops to get absorbed through the eye before they drain down to the back of the throat. Eyes feel great."

• myd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2017

"I've been using Xiidra for 2 months. It began working immediately. It burned a little on initial use, but that has subsided. I do have blurry vision for approx 15-20 minutes and sometimes watery eyes lasting longer. I also had inflammation in my eyes and blepharitis. I clean my eyes every night with baby shampoo. The inflammation has cleared up. I also use lubricating drops during the day, which were not enough before I started on Xiidra. My eye doctor told me about the burning, itching, and bad taste, which does not affect me badly enough to worry about it. I think it's worth trying this medicine, don't give up right away as some of these side effects go away with use."

• Shi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 20, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "These drops are much better than Restasis. Yes, there can be an aftertaste and burning; however, if you use them religiously twice per day, your dry eyes will have a marked improvement in dryness. My eyes feel much better than they've felt in years!"

• RLa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "In preparation for Lasix surgery, I was prescribed Xiidra. My instructions were to take two drops per day... 12 hours apart for two weeks leading up to surgery and then afterward until the doctor was satisfied with healing. After taking two doses (4 drops total), I was nauseated, had slight diarrhea, had a terrible taste in my mouth, and had blurry, starry vision in one eye. After taking an additional dose (2 more drops), I went to bed and woke up vomiting with severe diarrhea. I took one more dose in the morning (2 additional drops), and continued to have severe diarrhea. I stopped the drops and called my doctor. I did not take any more drops... and had diarrhea for two more days... 72 hours total! I am four days out from the onset of all the symptoms and still feel nauseous. Clearly, this medication did not work for me."

• CCD...
• September 15, 2017

"My thoughts so far. I've been using Xiidra for 3 weeks now. I have Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). I have tried antibiotics, lid scrubs, expression, MiboFlow, warm packs, tea tree oil, fish oil, punctal plugs, Restasis, etc. So far, I'm very happy with Xiidra. Started seeing a slight improvement at day 9. Cash price at my Walmart pharmacy was $576 per month. My insurance does cover this medicine. I'm using the insider card, and my 1st month was free. Tubes are smaller and harder than Restasis, but I am not having trouble with them. If I turn the tube over and squeeze and nothing comes out, I just invert the tube a couple of times and it works. Only slight burning and a bad taste, but not a big deal. No other problems. Happy so far! I would recommend."

• Aun...
• April 14, 2017

"This medication worked immediately. I do experience an odd taste, watery vision, and a mild cough. I also still have to use eye drops throughout the day. My vision started to clear, and I could see more clearly. Unfortunately, this did not continue to be the case. After 3 months, my eye doctor could see improvement in my eyes. Although my insurance refused to approve the medication, we decided to continue its use and continue to try to convince my insurance to approve. Two months later, the medication has been approved by my insurance, although they won't pay anything on it until I meet my deductible (praying that doesn't happen), and the medication no longer seems to be working for me. My vision is again blurry and cloudy."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2017

"I've been on this product for a little over 2 weeks, and so far, I'm pleased with what it's doing for me. In the first 3 days, I did have some excessive watering, but that has since subsided. The amount of dryness/discomfort I normally feel has improved considerably, and I no longer have general eye pain due to the dryness. I still get a tiny bit of discomfort after staring at the computer screen for hours on end, but even that's improved somewhat. As for side effects, I did have mild headaches for the first few days of using Xiidra, but they have since subsided. Also, there is a bitter aftertaste that was quite strong when I first began using the drops. Even that has improved significantly to where it's noticeable but hardly intolerable."

• dry...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 20, 2018

"I used Xiidra for 4 mos (Sept 2017-Jan 2018). At first, the only side effect was the aftertaste, which dissipated but not completely. In January, my eyes started extreme watering and looked like I was constantly crying. Since December, I had developed a post-nasal drip and cough, as well as started feeling dull pain in my liver and started losing hair. I decided to stop one month ago, and my eyes feel good by just using Refresh Optive daily. All the side effects stopped almost immediately after discontinuing Xiidra. I would not recommend this product, as it suppresses the immune system and is too new, so long-term effects are not known."

• iga...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 8, 2017

"I recently suddenly got dry eyes. I could not work at my computer for more than 30 minutes and could barely stay up past 8 pm as my eyes were just so exhausted. The doctor recommended Xiidra. I am only on day 4, and it seems to be working well. I am down to over-the-counter drops 3-4 times a day vs. 6-8 times. The bad taste does last 3-4 hours after applying the medication. My eyes do burn for 1-2 minutes after application, and I have trouble with the applicator. My husband usually puts in the drops for me. In addition to this medicine, I take 2 fish oil pills a day. In the morning and before bed, I use over-the-counter eye drops and do a hot compress for 5-10 minutes. This helped make my day-to-day manageable."

• BHE...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2017

"I have been using Xiidra for about a month for chronic dry eye disease and chronic keratoconjunctivitis. I also use a steroid twice a day. The burning sensation when I first started using this has gone. I still get a little blurry vision after using, it lasts about 10 minutes. I still get the weird taste, it also lasts about 10 minutes. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the results I've had so far."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2022

For Dry Eye Disease "My insurance would not cover Restasis anymore, so I had to switch to Xiidra. It was a terrible experience, the terrible taste in your throat that eventually caused stomach pain, it burns my eyes and did absolutely nothing to help my dry eyes but make it worse. Hoping my doctor can prescribe something else, otherwise, I will use OTC Systane."