Diclofenac sodium and Eyes

October 8, 2007 5:46 AM

I'm on diclofenac sodium for a back problem but it's freaking my eyes out.

They feel like they're overtired all the time and sort of wanting to focus elsewhere. It's doing my head in, especially when I am in a car or tryig to sleep. Has anyone had similar problems with this drug? Any advice on how to mitigate this?

posted by biffa to health & fitness (4 comments total)

I've been on it recently but didn't experience this. Side effects are mentioned in the instructions I think. Don't ask mefi, ask your GP!
posted by 6am at 6:01 AM on October 8, 2007

"Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved."

Eye irritation is something to talk to your doctor about. It's not necessarily allergy but is definitely within the realm of known side effects. Switching to a different NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) will most likely resolve the problem.
posted by prcrstn8 at 6:35 AM on October 8, 2007

It's a possible side effect. There's probably no way to mitigate it if it is a side effect, other than to try a different med. Talk to your doc about changing meds. There's probably half a hundred different NSAIDs out there, and you may need to try different ones until you find one that works for you without too many side effects.
posted by jlkr at 10:29 AM on October 8, 2007

I'm going to update this as a lesson in MeFi medical questions.

I went to the doc about 48 hours after posting this, (which was always the plan, just wanted some relief in the short term) taking with me my assumption about the pills being the cause of my eye problem. He suggested this was likely wrong and that though eye problems are listed as a side effect this is extremely rare and likely included as arse covering by the manufacturer. He examined my eyes and came up with a differential diagnosis of Iritis, he had me in front of a consultant within 6 hours, which is pretty damn quick in the NHS. Iritis carries the potential for serious permanent eye damage, though is treatable. Happily it turned out not to be that, but still it very easily could have been and if so without the trip to the doc's could have turned out quite nasty. Got some eye drops now and am back on the happy pills for my back.
posted by biffa at 2:32 AM on October 11, 2007