do sulfa drugs cause dry eye????

• 02-11-2009 8:55 AM

  poodlemom Joined on 08-01-2006 Posts 93 Points 5

  do sulfa drugs cause dry eye???? Reply Contact charlee has been on zonisamide (now 100mg X 2) and 30mg pb (X 2) for quite some time. i think, at least 6 to 9 months. he also has eye issues for which he is seen every 6 months by an opthalmologist. he has never required any meds for his eyes. he went in yesterday for a 6 month recheck and the vet found that his tear production has dropped and now he is being treated for dry eye with optimmune. the vet checked with the pharmacy and found out that zonisamide is a sulfa drug and can cause serious dry eye. i have to bring charlee back in 6 weeks to see if the optimmune is working. i am now very concerned... my other poodle does have dry eye and her tear production levels also dropped. i asked the vet if he thought the dryness could be due to the heating system in my house. he said it could be a possibility. also a different vet tech did the schirmer test and did not do it in the same way as the other tech always does. so that could be a factor. has anyone seen anything or had first hand experience with dry eye and zonisamide or any sulfa med?

  Post Points: 0

• 02-11-2009 9:12 AM

  In reply to poodlemom

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,861 Points 3,330

  Re: do sulfa drugs cause dry eye???? Reply Contact No, but I'm not surprised.  All the anti-convulsant drugs have really severe long-term side-effects. My biggest concern with sulfa drugs is many are so closely tied to auto-immune diseases.  The sulfa antibiotics are among the first "pointing fingers" to any auto-immune problems. You truly may want to consider trying TCVM for your seizure dogs.  U of Florida is actually teaching acupuncture as part of it's vet school now and one of the HUGE reasons is because the whole Neuro department has pushed for it as such a successful way of treating seizures.  The Chinese herbs are an incredible help. I have a dog being treated for seizure activity with TCVM (traditional Chinese veterinary medicine) and acupuncture.  Sharismom is using it for Bear and Slr2meg is using it on Pirate. In fact Megan and I just went to a clinic up near Gainesville and got to sit in on a big vet training class because they used Pirate as a diagnostic tool when his seizure pattern changed. If you go to http://www.tcvm.com you will find a locator on the left that will help you find the closest TCVM vet to you.  I am **NOT** telling you to stop going to your regular vet.  This is complimentary therapy -- but it can help you decrease the seizure drugs while helping so much in control.  If you want some tips and hints on how to help your vet work with these other vets I'm happy to help.

  Post Points: 0