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Can antihistamines raise eye pressure?
Over the counter medicines such as decongestants and antihistamines can dilate the pupil and lead to dangerously elevated eye pressure. Prescription medications for bladder incontinence, motion sickness, certain psychiatric medications, diet pills and some sulfa derived medications can cause angle closure glaucoma.
Can antihistamines cause glaucoma?
Antihistamines and decongestants contained in many allergy medications can have many side effects, one of which is the dilation of the pupil. In rare instances, this can cause an acute glaucoma attack in individuals whose anterior chamber angles are anatomically narrow (narrow-angle glaucoma or angle-closure glaucoma).
How do antihistamines affect the eye?
Ophthalmic antihistamines relieve eye allergy symptoms by blocking the release of histamine by mast cells, a type of immune cell. Mast cells release histamine when they detect foreign substances in the body. Histamine causes swelling and inflammation.
Can antihistamines affect vision?
You may also have blurred vision or be sensitive to light. If you take any of these types of medicines, you could get dry eye: Diuretics. Antihistamines.
Can Claritin cause glaucoma?
People with “narrow angle glaucoma” may have risk of acute angle closure glaucoma wit these medications. Common examples of these medication include Claritin (Loratadine), Sudafed, Allegra (fexofenadine), Singulair, Benadryl (Diphenhydramine), and Zyrtec.
Is it safe to take antihistamines if you have glaucoma?
However, for most people with glaucoma, antihistamines can be used safely. The most common type of glaucoma is termed “open angle glaucoma”. Antihistamines generally should have no effect with this type of glaucoma. People with “narrow angle glaucoma” may have risk of acute angle closure glaucoma wit these medications.
Can antihistamines cause eye problems?
“Antihistamines often cause a very significant dry-eye syndrome,” Andreoli says. For problems like dryness or irritation, Andreoli recommends over-the-counter lubricant eye drops, “just to bring the symptoms under control.” If the symptoms don’t go away, see your eye doctor, she says.
Can antihistamines cause eye pressure to increase?
Can antihistamines increase eye pressure? Over the counter medicines such as decongestants and antihistamines can dilate the pupil and lead to dangerously elevated eye pressure. Always check with your ophthalmologist before starting new medications if you have glaucoma.
Can antihistamines cause an angle closure glaucoma attack?
Answer: Antihistamines can cause an angle closure glaucoma attack (when fluid is completely blocked from leaving the eye, causing a dangerous rise in pressure) in some patients who have narrow angles.
What medications should I avoid if I have glaucoma?
Over the counter medicines such as decongestants and antihistamines can dilate the pupil and lead to dangerously elevated eye pressure. Always check with your ophthalmologist before starting new medications if you have glaucoma.
What are the ocular side effects of anticholinergics?
Generally, these medications have ocular side effects of dry eye and dry mouth, pupillary dilation, and decreased accommodation (focusing ability). The focusing impairment may be especially bothersome in younger patients taking these medications. In susceptible individuals, anticholinergics can increase the risk of or worsen angle closure glaucoma.