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What Causes Itchy Eye After Having Advil?

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Posted on Wed, 5 Aug 2015
Question: Hello. Recently my 56 year old wife seems to see a correlation between taking two Advil/acetaminophen and experiencing an itchy eye that sometimes has some swelling. She never had this experience before. How common is it to have this type of reaction? She can't be 100% sure it is the Advil, but it does seem to be the cause, especially within half an hour of taking it.
Thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Riyanka Chail (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Advil can cause allergic reactions like itchy eyes and swelling.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to hcm.
This is Dr.Riyanka answering your query.


Advil contains Ibuprofen and not acetaminophen.This drug can cause allergic reactions like itchy eyes and swelling.

Kindly tell her to avoid taking this medication.

She can opt for other non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs like Acetaminophen / paracetamol available under trade name (Tylenol) provided she is not allergic to this.

Hope this answered your query.
Please do write back for more queries.

Regards,
Dr.Riyanka


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Riyanka Chail (1 hour later)
Yes, thanks. I mixed them up. What could explain developing this now after do many years with no affect ? About 20 years ago she had a case of herpes in that eye. But that was a long time sho.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Riyanka Chail (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes sudden allergy to particular NSAIDS have been observed

Detailed Answer:
Hello Sir,
Thank you for writing back.

Sudden allergy to Nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs(NSAIDS) can be seen in individuals and the reason can be due to genetics and stress but the real reason is still unknown.

Other types of pain killers can be opted in such situations.

It is highly unlikely that it is related to Herpes that occured 20 years back.

Could you please tell me how many times such episodes have occured on taking ADVIL?
Also , if it was just once then it may be necessary to visit an ophthalmologist to rule out other allergic causes of itchy eyes.

Hope this answered yur query.
Regards,
Dr.Riyanka
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Riyanka Chail (1 hour later)
Unfortunately she has had the same reaction in her left eye in the last couple of months although she has used Advil before for many years.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Riyanka Chail (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Kindly also consult an opthalmologist

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir,

Usually reactions and allergies due to medications are generalised and not limited to a particular eye. That is mostly if it was entirely due to Advil it should have caused itching on both eyes.

A consultation with the ophthalmologist is recommended to rule out other allergic causes of itching in the eyes(could be due to exposure to other allergens and weather conditions).

Antihistaminic eye drops shall provide relief against problems.

Do write back for more doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Riyanka
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Riyanka Chail (5 minutes later)
Indeed she already visited an ophthalmologist who did prescribe drops but could not determine the cause of the allergy in one eye. It just seems to correlate with when she used the Advil.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Riyanka Chail (21 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Patients may develop allergies to any of the NSAIDS all of a sudden

Detailed Answer:
Hello Sir,
Thank you for writing back.

If she has already visited the ophthalmologist then it would be helpful if she avoids Advil in future and instead can use milder analgesics like Acetaminophen.

Whenever any medication causes allergy it is best to change over to alternatives.

Research has shown that patients may develop allergies to certain Nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs(NSAIDS) all of a sudden , which in her case is Advil (Ibuprofen). Also since she is allergic to one NSAID , other analgesics should also be administered with caution like Asprin or Diclofenac etc.

Hope this answered your query.
Regards,
Dr.Riyanka
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Riyanka Chail

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 818 Questions

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What Causes Itchy Eye After Having Advil?

Brief Answer: Advil can cause allergic reactions like itchy eyes and swelling. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for writing in to hcm. This is Dr.Riyanka answering your query. Advil contains Ibuprofen and not acetaminophen.This drug can cause allergic reactions like itchy eyes and swelling. Kindly tell her to avoid taking this medication. She can opt for other non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs like Acetaminophen / paracetamol available under trade name (Tylenol) provided she is not allergic to this. Hope this answered your query. Please do write back for more queries. Regards, Dr.Riyanka