Can some medications cause problems with my contact lenses?
In general, over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription eye drops or ointments should not be placed
in the eye while you are wearing your contact lenses. The only exception is for medications
specifically made to be used while wearing contact lenses. Products not labeled safe to use
with contact lenses may contain preservatives or chemicals that can damage the contact
lens.
Certain OTC and prescription medications can cause irritation or damage contact lenses.
Medications that cause dry eyes or blurred vision (for example, antihistamines, diuretics,
tricyclic antidepressants, and oral contraceptive pills) can make wearing contact lenses
uncomfortable.
In addition, contact lenses can become damaged from medications being excreted into the tears.
For example, digoxin can increase
glare on the lens while ribavirin can turn the
lens cloudy. Some antibiotics (for instance, rifampin, tetracycline, and nitrofurantoin) or
pain medications (such as sulfasalazine or phenazopyridine)
can change the color of body fluids, including tears. Contact lenses can absorb this coloring
permanently, thus changing the color of the lenses.
Always check the warning labels that come with over-the-counter and prescription medications.
Select the right eye drops or other solutions for your type of contact lenses. If you are
unsure, check with your doctor, eye care professional, or pharmacist.
Find information about your medications.
Get vision and eye health information in our Vision Center .
Visit the Walgreens.com Contact Lens pages for brands and online
ordering information.
If you're looking for more specific answers to specific questions, ask a Walgreens pharmacist here.
DISCLAIMER:
Answers to questions regarding information about medications or health conditions are not for
diagnostic or treatment purposes and are not conclusive as to the presence or absence of any
health condition. Consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment of your medical condition.
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. Advances in medicine may cause
this information to become outdated, invalid or subject to debate. Professional opinions and
interpretations of the scientific literature may vary. Walgreens' terms of use and general
warranty disclaimer apply to all services provided. If you are in need of immediate medical
attention, contact your physician, poison control center or emergency medical professional. If
you need to speak with a pharmacist for non-emergency matters, contact your local Walgreens
pharmacist or call a Walgreens.com pharmacist toll-free at 1 (877) 250-5823.
