Xiidra (lifitegrast) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat dry eye disease in people ages 17 years and older.
With dry eye disease, your body doesn’t make enough tears, or the tears don’t properly lubricate (moisturize) your eyes. Xiidra is typically used long term for this purpose.
Here are some fast facts about Xiidra:
- Active ingredient: lifitegrast
- Drug class: lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) antagonist
- Drug form: solution eye drop
As with other drugs, Xiidra eye drops can cause side effects. These side effects are mostly limited to your eyes and typically go away after a few minutes or hours. Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Xiidra, including details about its uses, see this article.
Xiidra can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Xiidra in clinical trials:
- eye irritation or discomfort
- a bad or unusual taste in your mouth*
- blurred vision*
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
Mild side effects can occur with Xiidra. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more details, you can refer to Xiidra’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects that have been reported with Xiidra include:
- burning in your eyes
- eye discharge
- eye irritation or discomfort
- eye pain
- feeling as if something is in your eye
- increased tears or watery eyes
- itchy eyes
- red eyes
- blurred vision*
- headache*
- bad or unusual taste in your mouth*
- sinusitis*
- mild allergic reaction*
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Xiidra and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
Xiidra may cause serious side effects. However, the only serious side effect reported with Xiidra is allergic reaction. This side effect wasn’t reported in Xiidra’s clinical trials, but it has happened since the drug was approved for use.
If you develop serious side effects while using Xiidra, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Xiidra may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.
Is hair loss a side effect of Xiidra?
No, hair loss isn’t a side effect of Xiidra. This side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s clinical trials.
Some
If you have dry eye disease and notice hair loss, talk with your doctor. They can discuss whether it’s best to evaluate you for alopecia to see if this could be causing your hair loss symptoms. However, Xiidra isn’t expected to cause hair loss as a side effect.
Are there long-term side effects with Xiidra?
No, it’s not likely. Long-term side effects weren’t reported in the drug’s clinical trials.
Xiidra is a solution eye drop. You should apply doses directly to your eyes. This means the rest of your body is only exposed to low amounts of Xiidra, if your body absorbs the drug at all. Most side effects associated with Xiidra happen immediately after your dose and go away within a few minutes or hours.
If you have questions about the long-term side effects of Xiidra, talk with your doctor.
Which side effects of Xiidra are rare?
Most side effects Xiidra may cause are rare, according to the drug’s clinical trials. Some examples of rare side effects of Xiidra can include headaches* and sinusitis.*
The most common side effects of Xiidra include:
- eye irritation*
- a bad or unusual taste in your mouth*
- blurred vision*
For more details, you can refer to Xiidra’s prescribing information. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more.
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
Learn more about some of the side effects that Xiidra may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Xiidra.
Blurred vision
Blurred vision is a possible side effect you may experience after applying a dose of Xiidra. However, this side effect wasn’t common in the drug’s clinical trials. And blurred vision caused by the drug isn’t expected to last. Your symptoms should go away after a couple of minutes or hours at most after you apply Xiidra eye drops.
What you can do
If you experience blurred vision after using Xiidra that bothers you or doesn’t go away, talk with your doctor. They can evaluate your symptoms and determine the best way to manage them. This may include having you stop using Xiidra eye drops and exploring other treatments for your dry eye.
Headache
Although rare, you may experience a headache from using Xiidra eye drops. It’s not clear why this side effect happens after using the drug. However, it wasn’t commonly reported in the drug’s clinical trials.
What you can do
If you develop a mild headache after using Xiidra, here are some ways to manage your symptoms at home:
- apply an ice pack to your head or neck
- practice meditation, yoga, or similar mindfulness activities
- avoid alcohol until your symptoms go away, if applicable
- take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Tylenol (acetaminophen), if your doctor or pharmacist says the pain reliever is safe for you to use
If you consistently experience headaches that bother you or don’t go away while taking Xiidra, let your doctor know. They can evaluate your symptoms for other possible causes. If your symptoms are likely caused by Xiidra, your doctor may recommend that you stop using the eye drops or switch to a different treatment.
Allergic reaction
As with most drugs, Xiidra can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Allergic reactions weren’t reported in Xiidra’s clinical trials, but they have happened since the drug was approved for use.
Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:
- skin rash
- itching
- flushing
- swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
What you can do
For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Xiidra. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Bad taste
Dysgeusia (metallic taste in the mouth) is a side effect Xiidra eye drops may cause. However, it was rarely reported in the drug’s clinical trials.
With dysgeusia, you experience a metallic or bad taste in your mouth. It may also cause foods you eat to taste metallic or bitter.
What you can do
Talk with your doctor if you experience dysgeusia while using Xiidra. Dysgeusia may go away with continued use of the eye drops. If this side effect bothers you or doesn’t go away, your doctor will likely stop your Xiidra treatment and recommend other dry eye treatments.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis (inflammation in your sinuses) is an uncomfortable but mild side effect Xiidra may cause. While sinusitis can be severe, no instances of serious sinusitis were reported in the drug’s clinical trials.
Symptoms of sinusitis can vary but may include:
- green or yellow nasal discharge
- postnasal drip (mucus that runs down the back of your throat)
- pain or pressure in your face
- runny or stuffy nose
- reduced sense of smell or taste
- sore throat
- headache
- cough
What you can do
If your sinusitis symptoms are mild, you may be able to treat them at home. Some tips include:
- drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
- using a humidifier or vaporizer to keep your sinuses moist
- rinsing your nasal passages using a nasal spray or nasal drops
Talk with your doctor if you notice symptoms of sinusitis that don’t go away or bother you while using Xiidra. They can evaluate whether you need a prescription treatment. They can also determine whether you should continue using Xiidra.
Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Xiidra. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:
Contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses, it’s typically safe to use Xiidra. However, it’s important that you remove your contacts before each dose. You should wait at least 15 minutes after your Xiidra dose before replacing your contacts.
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Xiidra or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Xiidra. Ask your doctor about other medications that may be better options for you.
Alcohol with Xiidra
There’s no known interaction between using Xiidra and consuming alcohol.
However, some
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor to learn more about how it could affect dry eye and whether minimizing or avoiding it would be best for your dry eye symptoms.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Xiidra
It’s not known if it’s safe to take Xiidra while pregnant or breastfeeding. The drug’s clinical trials didn’t include pregnant people.
That said, Xiidra is an eye drop. Most of the medication stays in your eye, and the rest of your body doesn’t absorb much after you use it. So it’s unlikely that Xiidra would cause harm if used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning for either, talk with your doctor. They can help determine whether Xiidra is safe for you.
Side effects of Xiidra are typically mild and go away after a few minutes or hours. Most side effects the drug can cause affect your eyes and only happen right after you administer a dose. The only serious side effect associated with the drug to date is allergic reaction.
If you’d like to learn more about Xiidra, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about the drug’s side effects.
Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:
- More information about Xiidra. For details about other aspects of Xiidra, refer to this article.
- Drug comparison. To learn how Xiidra compares with Restasis, read this article.
- A look at your condition. For details about dry eye disease, see our eye health hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.