Medications that can cause dry eyes include antidepressants, blood pressure medications, diuretics, antihistamines, beta-blockers, and more.
Both OTC and prescription drugs can cause dry eyes. If you experience dry eyes due to medication, your doctor may suggest changing the medication type or dosage.
Some remedies can also help manage symptoms of dry eyes.
Read on to learn more about what medications can cause dry eyes, why dry eyes can happen, treatments that may help, and more.
Many medications can cause dry eyes as a side effect. Examples include:
- antidepressants
- diuretics
- blood pressure medication
- antihistamines
- beta-blockers
- sleeping pills
- sedatives
- decongestants
- contraceptive pills
- medications for Parkinson’s disease
- medications for heartburn
- morphine and other opiate-based pain relief
- isotretinoin medications
- taxane-based chemotherapy drugs
- immune checkpoint inhibitors
- the oral diabetes medication gliptins, or dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors
- epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors
- fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitors
- belantamab mafodotin, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), which combines chemotherapy and targeted therapy
There are different types of dry eyes that some medications may worsen. Examples include:
- meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), which happens due to clogged glands and problems with oil production
- lacrimal gland dysfunction, or problems with lacrimal gland, which is
responsible for secreting the watery part of the tear film - cicatrizing conjunctivitis, which causes scarring on the conjunctiva
- corneal epithelium, or damage to the outer layer of the cornea
In some cases, your doctor may recommend to stop taking medication that is causing dry eyes. However, it’s important to keep taking prescription medication until your doctor advises otherwise.
Some general treatments for dry eyes include taking regular eye breaks, particularly when looking at screens or reading something.
Using eye drops can also help. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist for information about which eye drops are right for you.
Talk with a pharmacist if you experience dry eyes after taking OTC medication.
If you believe that your prescription medication may be causing dry eyes, it’s important to talk with a doctor before stopping the medication.
The doctor can confirm the cause of dry eyes and advise on any changes to your medication, if necessary.
Medication-induced dry eye symptoms may last for as long as you take the medication. Speak with your doctor before stopping any prescription medication. Your doctor can advise on ways to manage dry eyes, and they may consider changing the dosage or type of medication.
There are many medications that can cause dry eyes, so it’s not possible to say if there are alternative medications that do not cause dry eyes.
You can speak with a pharmacist for alternatives to OTC medications. Your doctor can provide information about whether they recommend any alternatives to any prescription medication you’re currently taking.
Examples of medications that can cause dry eyes include antidepressants, diuretics, blood pressure medications, sleeping pills, antihistamines, and more.
If over-the-counter (OTC) medications are causing your dry eyes, speak with a pharmacist for information about alternative medications that may not cause dry eyes, as well as ways to manage your symptoms.
If you believe that prescription medication may be causing dry eyes, it’s best to speak with a doctor before you stop taking the medication. Your doctor can help confirm the cause of your symptoms and advise on suitable treatments.