I saw that a doctor answered briefly that Wellbutrin can contribute to dry eye. Is this the type of side effect that goes away with time or will it be a factor as long as the medication is used? Are there anti-depressants that are less drying? I thought Wellbutrin was less so than SSRIs. Thanks.

I do not know if other anti-depressants are less drying than wellbutrin. But as long as someone is on Wellbutrin or any other anti-depressant - there will be increased dryness.
Steps - such as Restasis, punctal plugs, artificial tears, etc - can be taken to reduce dry eye symptoms while on Wellbutrin

I hope this helps

Bill Trattler, MD
Miami, FL

Dear Dr. Trattler:
Thanks for your kind response. Since I have been on Restasis for months, fully plugged (upper & lower), and am using an assortment rewetting drops literally every few minutes, ointment at night plus a humidifier, I guess I'll try discontinuing the Wellbutrin.

Thanks again!

>I do not know if other anti-depressants
>are less drying than wellbutrin.
>But as long as someone is
>on Wellbutrin or any other anti-depressant
>- there will be increased dryness.
> Steps - such as Restasis,
>punctal plugs, artificial tears, etc -
>can be taken to reduce dry
>eye symptoms while on Wellbutrin

>I hope this helps

>Bill Trattler, MDMiami, FL

Michelle, I am also on Wellbutrin, fully plugged (lower cauterized and upper plugged), and was on Restasis. I sympathize with you.

My eyes feel okay while on Wellbutrin but not Restasis, but they are dry from a clinical standpoint (SPK, low Shirmer's scores). I think the dryness contributes to visual fluctuations in my right eye. Restasis makes my eyes feel ten times drier, although they look better from a clinical standpoint (decreased SPK, supposedly increased Schirmer's scores). While on Restasis I use artificial tears much more often than when I am not on Restasis. I decided that the bad outweighs the good with Restasis, so I quit using it.

I have tried many antidepressants and combinations thereof and found one that works for me: 300 mg Wellbutrin + 150 mg Luvox. I have learned not to mess with a good thing. It is not worth sacrificing my mental wellbeing to have better tear production.

I realize that your dryness may be so bad that it makes you miserable, so discontinuing Wellbutrin could actually make you happier. If your eyes hurt constantly, that has got to contribute to depression.

I hope all turns out well for you.