Xiidra and Burning: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Jil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2017

"I've been on this medication for 1 month. My eyes have a burning sensation that lasts for about 30 minutes after application. I find the plastic container very difficult to use. It is very small, and the plastic is extremely stiff. I have RA, and pinching to get the drop out is almost impossible for me. The worst part is the tearing that I have NEVER had before. It lasts for a few hours, and my eyes are crusted every morning when I wake up. I'm not very pleased with this new RX."

• 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!"

• lil...
• February 12, 2017

"I have been using these for about a month and a half. My vision is improved, but I can't breathe. This stuff has exacerbated my asthma. The drops burn like fire, my nose is stuffy, and I can't see a damn thing for about an hour. I love that I can see, but it's not worth the side effects."

• Abb...
• May 28, 2017

"Sjögren's disease causes extremely dry eyes. Restasis didn't help. Xiidra made my eyeballs hurt, and my headaches and sinusitis got much worse. The initial burning is very bad. After 6 days, the metallic taste and nausea became worse. My eyesight and dryness were showing no signs of improving, so I stopped using Xiidra after 8 days. Would never recommend it."

• 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!"

• Yep...
• February 24, 2017

"I've been on this about two months now. It's been a lifesaver. I'm almost a normal person again. Some thoughts: For me, the burning, stickiness, and occasional headaches went away after a while. The bitter throat taste is still there. And in the interest of full disclosure, some days it seems to give me some sinusitis. Another downside is that I can now stare at screens for way too long, so my arthritis in hands and wrists is coming back. (I can even play video games again.) I had straightforward MGD/waxy oils. To the best of my knowledge, I have no complicating factors like Sjögren's, other immune issues, etc. I've never had eye surgery. I also don't think I have the demodex problem some people do (none of the symptoms of that)."

• 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."

• Ari...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2017

"I had been on Restasis for a couple of years with no noticeable improvement. I was also trying different types of punctal plugs, Allrex steroid drops, too. No help. My insurance changed this year, so I had to find a new ophthalmologist. He suggested Xiidra. I've taken it for about a week, and it may be helping. He suggested I put a drop of Refresh Optive gel drops in before the Xiidra to help with burning. That helped a lot. Hardly any burning. The first time I took it without the OTC drops, it was so painful. Eyes hurt, and I got a bad headache around my brows. I wouldn't have been able to continue. I will keep trying the Xiidra. I've also ordered PRN fish oil capsules that were recommended. They can be bought on the web."

• Dry...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 14, 2017

"I have been suffering with dry eye for almost 8 years, not explanation why. I don't wear contacts, I am now 51 y/o. I have tried Restasis for 3 years on and off and did not help. When I got the Xiidra sample I was extremely happy. For the first time I was not squinting, I could open my eyes easily after sleep. The bad taste did not bother me, I’d rather have that bad taste than dry eye. My Dr. gave me enough samples for 2 months, but after a month 1-2, I started to have my lower lids burning so bad to the point of pain. I have to quit this drop sadly. I don't know why it was so wonderful in the beginning."

• zju...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2017

"This drug has been an absolute life-saver! In fact, I had punctual plugs in before this, and about 2-3 weeks into starting this full-time, they actually worked TOO WELL, and my eyes were severely watering without the ability to drain. My doctor took the plugs out, and that provided some relief, but now I'm only taking one drop daily, followed by two drops on alternating days, and it seems to be the right amount. This was initially making my eyes feel really goopy, but after a month or so on it, that's gone away (could've been the plugs causing this to a certain degree). My eyes have never been whiter and less irritated/burning sensation that plagued me before! I also took Restasis but would hands down suggest Xiidra if you're impatient!!"

• 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."

• Dry...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2017

"I am a 29-year-old female and have recently been diagnosed with dry eyes. I have had the worst time in the middle of the night and while looking at my work computer screen. I even got a humidifier and eye covers, to no avail. I've only been on Xiidra for literally 4 days, and I've noticed a big difference already. Does it have a weird taste? Yes. Only lasts 5 minutes. The taste is so insignificant I can't believe people are even mentioning it. People also wrote in the reviews that the plastic containers are too hard. Like, what?! Nope. There are about 6 drops in each container. I had no burning or itching. $60/month with insurance, but with a coupon, it's free the first month and $10 after that. I hope it continues to help! 6/10 because it's too early to tell how it will work."

• Sil...
• July 9, 2017

"I have been using Xiidra for about two weeks and am very happy so far. I previously used Restasis and am definitely having better results with Xiidra. I was advised to put pressure on the inside corner of my eye for about 20 seconds after application to eliminate any aftertaste, which works for me. I do experience burning, but it subsides within minutes. My eyes are less red and more hydrated. I agree with other reviewers, the plastic applicator is stiff, but I manage to get the first drop out easily and the second one after giving the applicator a good shake (once pointing tip down) to move the remaining drops to the tip so it can come out easily. My only complaint now is the exorbitant cost! Thankfully, my first month was free."

• 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."

• Daa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "My doctor said it was working, but I feel my eyes are worse. I stopped for three months because I didn't have $600 to buy it. I started again 2 weeks ago. My vision is worse, and my eyes hurt. Couldn't see the golf ball 75 yards out. Burns for 5 minutes when applying."

• Let...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2017

"I am using Xiidra for dry eye to prep my eyes for Lasik. At first, it burned, but only when my eyes are dry. The aftertaste is terrible for about 10-15 minutes, but I understand that only some people have this symptom. I also have nausea, sinusitis, and sometimes headaches. It has improved my eye dryness enough for surgery. The side effects are a downer."

• Fed...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "I have tried every dry eye treatment in the book - artificial tears, nightly warm soaks, coconut oil, Restasis, punctal plug lasering, etc. I agreed to try Xiidra, even after reading the terrible reviews, because I was desperate. I lasted 1 month - the amount of time my eye doctor said it would take to kick in. Every time I inserted the drops, my eyes burned. The morning drops caused white discharge in my eyes, but the night drops did not cause this. I experience blurry vision - to be expected on an eye drop for short periods of time. I also had a metallic taste in my mouth every time I used the drops - also an expected side effect. My dry eye did not improve, and it actually got even worse by the end of 1 month. My eyes are now permanently red and feel swollen and painfully dry. I was stubborn and opted to stay on this drug for the full month, in hopes that eventually it would 'kick in' and improve my condition. I just hope my eyes can recover."

• Gin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 14, 2017

"This is the worst medicine I have ever tried! It didn't take a week for me to have such a violent reaction, I didn't dare try it again. My eyes immediately burned, and I couldn't stand any light, plus my eyelids felt like they were stuck with glue and didn't want to work right. I immediately went back to my doctor and listed my complaints. I have been on so many antibiotics and other drugs to try and get rid of the effects of this drug, and NOTHING has worked. In addition to all the other drugs, I have been sent to other ophthalmologists and neurologists! They were all determined that I had dementia or a blood clot behind my eye-only the right one went crazy! I have had to wear an eye patch and use moisture drops since the very first day!"

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 17, 2019

For Dry Eye Disease "I've been using Xiidra for over a year because it does help. Yes, it still burns sometimes, but it is bearable. The side effect I most suffer from is blurred vision. Not just for a while after applying, but all the time. I have had exams and consults with both ophthalmologists and optometrists. There seems to be no solution. I stopped using Xiidra, and the blurry vision went away, but the dry burning irritation returned very fast. So I'm at a loss at this point. Do I pay another $600, or become a slave to lubricants and Opcon A, which I sometimes use along with Xiidra for redness and itchiness."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 26, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "I have - at the age of 64 - 20/15 in one eye, 20/25 in the other. For the first time, I have a dry eye problem. The doctor prescribed Xiidra. I used it ONE TIME. Never again. The burning and itching made me feel as though I poured acid in my eyes, the taste in the back of my throat was HORRIBLE - for HOURS, and I had blurry vision for about 10 minutes. Why would I do this twice a day? Why does a medicine that is supposed to make my eyes feel BETTER make them feel so much worse?"

• PoC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2017

"I had to stop taking this drug primarily because it just messed up my sinuses and burnt where I have plugs in. Made the situation worse, not better. I don't think this drop should be used with punctal plugs..."

• Buc...
• July 17, 2017

"I have dry eye because of pterygium on my eyes from the sun. For about 2 years, I have been using over-the-counter drops at least 6 times a day and very little help. Eyes hurt and irritated all the time, and hard to open my eyes in the morning. I started using Xiidra 2 months ago, and my eyes are back to feeling great again. The burning is just about gone and a little bad taste, but worth it. Thank you so much."

• Use...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 11, 2022

For Dry Eye Disease "I went to see my dry eye specialist, and he prescribed me Xiidra because of excessive dry eyes. He warned me about the initial burning and itching sensation, but it seemed like every application was different (some burned more than others). The burning and itching went away after a few minutes. It was manageable, in my opinion. He also mentioned the possible side effect of a metallic/bad taste. My dry eye went away instantly. I was going through a 70-pack of Refresh Plus every 1-2 weeks. However, after about 2 weeks of use, I developed a gnarly sinus infection but only affected the right side of my face (tender tear duct, overproduction of tears in the right eye, face pain, headache, teeth pain, and coughing up fluorescent white grainy discharge that tasted similar to the eye drops). I called my eye doctor and told him about my symptoms, and he told me to stop for a week. The next day, it was gone, but back on artificial tears instantly."

• Red...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2017

"I'm 56 with dry eyes since my 20s. Eyes always red like I've been crying. Been using moisture drops for 30 years. Had a reaction to the preservative in the drops, switched to preservative-free Retain, only at Walgreens, $23 for 30 vials. Helpful, not a cure, used them 6 to 8 times a day. When waking, eyes were always painfully dry. Tried EVERYTHING. Last month, I started on Xiidra. Helps a little, when I wake, I actually make a bit of tears. Eyes are still very red and irritated. Taste no problem, burns/itches a few minutes after applying, but goes away. Still use moisture drops, but not as often. Retail $585 a month, but Xiidra coupon for 1st month free and $10 a month for as long as I use them. Wouldn't use if had to pay full."