Adderall Xr Causing Extremely Dry Eyes

Updated

Ok I have searched this topic for months now and no one else seems to have a solution for my problem. I am currently taking 30mg Adderall XR which is prescribed by the doctor. I take the generic bc I've always been told there is no difference. I take my medication on the days I work and I take it very early so I am not up all night. This medication really seems to help me HOWEVER my eyes seem to become very dry!! Sticky almost and I'm in constant discomfort before my day is halfway over. I have tried only taking half my pill by separating it and I still have the same affect. I am miserable and the people in my life can tell. I'm constantly rolling my eyes or squinting to relieve the "dry eye" feeling but it just makes me look weird and doesn't really help. Here are the things I've tried: drinking lots of water. Pedialyte and other sources of electrolytes because I feel like it may be related to dehydration. I take omega 3 and have tried eye drops and the only thing that seems to help the slightest bit is eye ointment But it is very temporary. Does anyone have any solutions or ideas I could try??!! And it's it possible that the generic version is causing it? The only tinge I have full relief is when I first wake up or if I put a hot compress on my eyes. Also when I first started the medication I did not notice this side effect. It wasn't until maybe the 3rd or 4th month. It's do bad I don't even bother putting on eye makeup anymore bc I rub it off throughout the day. Please help. And yes I have spoken to my doctor and he said this isn't a side effect he is familiar with.

8 Replies

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1

Hello, Picks09! How are you doing? I'm very sorry about the problem that you're having. I can understand why that would be very annoying.

But no, your doctor is correct, that is not a known side effect of Adderall. Being classified by the FDA as a stimulant, it carries the risk of being habit forming and its typical side effects may include nausea, dizziness, headache, insomnia and anorexia.

Have you consulted an eye doctor? That would be the best thing to do, so you can get a proper diagnosis and solution.

Are you on any other medications?

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2

This is a side effect. Same thing happens to me. I went to the eye doctor only to hear dry eye. The drops they gave me to try only relieves it for a short time. Adderall makes me feel better. Gives me the ump to get off my butt. But I don't like the eye thing so I don't want to take it. So I sit and sit and sit. Retired, I can do that.

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3

Same thing happens to me. I've been taking Adderall XR 30mg (Prasco) brand for a year now and simply have had to put up with the dry eye side effect. Before Prasco, I was taking Teva. Both are/were the "Authorized Generics" manufacturers. Since the change to Prasco being the authorized generic manufacturer, I quickly noticed that it was not the same. Supposedly, the authorized generic is the same as the original Shire brand formula. I can definitely say it is not. My eyes were fine while on the Teva brand. My focus and motivation was a lot better also. I wish they wouldn't mess with these medications like this. Say it's the same when clearly it's not.

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4

Dry eyes is not a listed side effect but is now a common issue with taking adderall. Wish fda would catch up already. I've read hundreds of forums about horrible dry eyes while taking adderall. So far eye ointment, drinking water, hot compress and blinking or resting eyes helps. So frustrating because I need to take it. Oh and humidity helps.

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5

Re: AddAndi (# 4) Expand Referenced Message

Daily vitamins! Sweating or elevated heart rate uses more potassium or something. No matter how much water I drank I was still dehydrated because I didn't have enough potassium to absorb the water. No more dry skin and eyes!

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6

Re: AddAndi (# 5) Expand Referenced Message

excellent observation!

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7

Re: Sitsalot (# 2) Expand Referenced Message

I also have a severe problem with dry eyes. I was forced to stop adderall recently when a young 58 year old Dr. died from a heart attact. The only part of having stopped the medication is my dry eyes is no longer a nightly thing. I'm also retired and ive seen 3 Drs shrinks and none of these drs. will write a script for adderall. I must add that along with adderall Im on oxycodone, klonipin, and other meds.

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8

Adderall makes my eyes a little dry but not enough to be an issue. But, it dries the heck out of my sinus pathway and because of that can make my chest dry. For me I can take decongestant/expectorant mix medication like Mucinex D (preferably the one behind the pharmacy counter with pseudoephedrine and not the weak replacement they now put out on the shelves), but that is stimulating and can affect sleep. No idea it that would help dry eyes in any way. Can try just the expectorant like guaifenesin without the decongestant and see if that helps or not.

But, if anyone has the issue and is on a relatively low dose, switching to Strattera might be a possibility. For me Strattera actually increases moisture in my sinus pathway and don't have the congestion after effect when adderall starts to wear off. I always had issues with my sinus pathway, Adderall made it worse. Strattera though, made it better. May not have the same side effect for everyone. But considering the similarity with it causing dryness in the head, Strattera might also work for those people with dry eyes. Also, Strattera is a non stimulant and it can be prescribed with Adderall. But, may need to reduce Adderall dosage to compensate.
Currently on both myself.

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