I have dryness of eyes and mouth after taking antibiotics. Is it Sjogren's syndrome?

Question

Hello doctor,

After a course of antibiotics, I have developed severe dry eyes, dry mouth, and photosensitivity. No tears are coming from my eyes. I think I have developed Sjogren's syndrome. Is there any treatment for Sjogren's? I am waiting for the test. The antibiotics are long gone, but all the things I mentioned above are still present. Please answer.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I went through your query. You have not mentioned which antibiotics you have taken. I do not think that you have Sjogren's. Firstly, one has to fulfill certain criteria for Sjogren's. Symptoms of dry eyes for more than three months. Symptoms of dry mouth for three months. Schirmer's test by an ophthalmologist with a reading less than 5 mm. Measurement of salivary output (sialometry) less than 1.5 mL/15 minutes. Positive lip biopsy or antibodies (anti-Ro/La). The presence of four out of five makes a diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome. The treatment of Sjogren's depends on the cause as it is usually associated with RA (rheumatoid arthritis), scleroderma, or SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus). These need to be excluded. The treatment also depends on the severity of the symptoms. Pilocarpine is used for dry mouth, carboxymethyl cellulose eye drops are used for dry eyes. The cure for Sjogren's has not yet been documented. So, the treatment is symptomatic and the patient needs to follow up with the doctor because, in 3 to 4 % of people, it may result in lymphoma.

Thank you.