What is Dry Eyes
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), also called keratitis sicca, xerophthalmia, dry eye syndrome (DES), or simply dry eyes, is an eye disease caused by decreased tear production or i...
Join Now
|
Medications
|
Watch this |
| View More Posts Ignore |
If you do your research, there are side effects like dry eyes and dry skin from medications for anxiety and depression. My doc looked at me strangely when I seemed concerned, but I am. I have dry eyes and don't want to make them any worse by going on medication. Am I doing too much research or do I really have a point to consider and does anyone have any advice?
Posted on 07/01/07, 09:07 pm |
| 2 Replies | Add Your Advice |
| View More Posts Ignore |
Hi Nightrain
You are right that medications that have anti-cholinergic properties can cause dry mouth (and less likely dry eyes and skin). Older tricyclic antidepressants (amitryptiline, nortriptyline, etc) have more anticholinergic properties than the newer antidpressants (SSRIS) and most of those tend to have LITTLE OR NO effect on dry mouth/skin/eyes. Its great you are looking out for yourself. Dr O. 
|
|
|
|
||
| View More Posts Ignore |
Nightrain, I think your concerns are well founded. I run an online support group for people with dry eye and this is an issue that is constantly coming up. Some of our members experience considerably worse symptoms when on the most modern antidepressants even when dry eye is not listed as a potential side effect, others don't, and it does not seem like there's any way to predict it. But if depression is severe, it's probably worth the potential tradeoff anyway.
|
|
|
|
||
| Add Your Advice |
