Xiidra and Itching: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Sco...
• June 27, 2017

"I've always had slightly dry eyes, but it was tolerable until after I had LASIK. After a couple of months, the doctor suggested I try Xiidra. The first couple of weeks seemed okay, but I could feel no improvement. The doctor said I should continue with OTC eye drops and ointment. After about 3 weeks, though, my eyes began itching, like I have never experienced. It was intolerable. I wanted to rub my eyes out. I wasn't sure if it was the medication or allergies, so I stopped the medication. It's been a few days now, and my eyes are feeling better. Still dry, but not the crazy itching."

• 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."

• 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."

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 28, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "I was prescribed this due to dry eyes. Tried the first time for a few days and had severe headaches and sinus pressure. I was not sure if it was the medication, so I stopped it and tried again after a few weeks. The same problems recurred but more side effects. Along with migraines and sinus pressure, I also developed blisters on my tongue, metallic taste, dry, itchy eyes. My eyes also look swollen in the inner corners. After reading all the other reports, I am going to d/c this medication and go back to drops."

• JPR...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "After 3 months of no relief on Restasis, I was prescribed Xiidra by my ophthalmologist for chronic dry eye. Almost immediately, my eyes felt great! No more gritty feeling every day. I was advised that there would be some burning after application and a metallic taste, which has been ongoing. I also get crustiness in both eyes when I wake up every morning, but these are mild annoyances compared to the suffering I experienced 24/7 before. The only reason I can't give Xiidra a higher rating is that after 2 weeks on it, I'm waking up with red, puffy eyes and irritation (itching) under my eyes and around my eyelids. It's getting to the point that I'm now considering going off these drops. (Am I allergic to them?) Too bad because it was the only drops that worked for my dry eye, otherwise. Oh, and the cost of these drops is ridiculously expensive, even with the coupons my doctor gave to me. What's up with that????"

• CTd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 9, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "I was using Restasis and had relief from my dry eyes, but my doctor suggested using Xiidra since it would be more effective. Along with the burning, stinging, and aftertaste, I noticed my eyes started to itch. I thought that maybe it was due to the dry air from the winter months, but now that it's spring, that isn't an issue. My eyelids are dry, flaky, itchy, red, and swollen. It seems like an allergic reaction. I've stopped taking Xiidra and will be going back to Restasis."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "Very, very bad reaction. Eyes burning, red, itchy. I have used Restasis for years and wanted to try something new. This drug made my eyes so sore and red even the next day. I will take the loss and never use this again."

• Doo...
• August 9, 2017

"My doctor diagnoses me with dry eye. Been using them 1 month. My eyes are worse. From day 1, the drops burn and make my eyes itch something terrible. Itching stops about 15 min after each use. These symptoms have not decreased in intensity in 30 days. By day 4 on the drops, I can't wear contacts. Within 2 hours of putting the contacts in (daily moist contacts), my eyes are so dry the contacts either blink out or crumble into a folded mess inside my eye and get stuck under my upper eyelid. First day of use, I waited the 15 min recommended after putting the drops in, 2nd day waited an hour, and 3rd day waited 2 hours after the drops, but nothing works."

• Hec...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2018

For Dry Eye Disease "I've only been taking Xiidra for a few days. I have had very little side effects such as burning or itching, as other people have reported. My right eye still gets a little goopy, but that occurred before I used Xiidra. My eyes are not as bloodshot and less irritated. I will continue using Xiidra."

• ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2017

"Changed to Xiidra because I thought it was less expensive (it is not). After placing drops in eyes, there was considerable stinging, an itching causing me to rub my eyes to stop it. This burning and itching continued for at least 15 minutes. It also caused considerable blurring of vision that really limited my vision. Could not watch TV, etc. So then I would just put it in at night due to the fact that I could not see! The vials are very hard (Restasis vials are much softer), and it is very difficult to get equal amounts of product in each eye. Also, there is just enough for only ONE EYE. By the time you are to drop the product in your other eye, there is nothing left! Then what do you do, open another vial? Not a great product."

• Tim...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 29, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "If I really wanted the itchiness, scratchiness, eye mucus production, and general agony of instilling Xiidra drops in my eyes twice a day, I could accomplish that with some dirt mixed with gasoline, and it wouldn't cost $550/month. I've been trying to stick with it for a year and a half, but I'm done."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "These drops were recommended to me by three ophthalmologists, making me wonder if they are getting some kind of kickback from the manufacturers of Xiidra. I have experienced stinging, blurry vision, itchiness, and actual pain, so I quit using them until advised to start again by one of my eye doctors. In the past two weeks, I have developed headaches that were at first only occasional but are now constant. I wish I had read some of these reviews first. I will definitely not be continuing their use."

• Raq...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2018

"Been on medication for 2 months now. I have cheated the system by using 1 drop in each eye in the morning and putting the same vial back in the foil pouch and getting 1 drop for each eye in the evening. The severe burning/itching is almost intolerable at first, then it dissipates. I have been doing a lot better on it except for after 2 weeks of single-digit temperatures when I started getting keratitis again. Back on steroids. Have plugs in lower lids. Also, sometimes 20-30 minutes after applying, when I am on the way to work, I notice extreme blurry vision out of nowhere. Liability?"

• Ala...
• March 29, 2021

For Dry Eye Disease "This medication does not make my eyes red. It improved my vision. Over-the-counter eye drops make my eyes blurry under bright sun. Xiidra does not make eyes blurry. I noticed lately that upon application, my eyes get itchy, which lasts for about 20 minutes."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2017

"Eyes made more blurry, scratchy, gummy. Lasted for over an hour. Used samples only, never picked up prescription because I was dissatisfied with eye drops."