Can someone with Sjögren's syndrome take Motrin?
Yes, patients with Sjögren's syndrome can take Motrin (ibuprofen) for systemic pain or inflammation, but topical NSAIDs should be used with extreme caution or avoided on the ocular surface due to risk of corneal complications.
Systemic NSAID Use (Oral Motrin/Ibuprofen)
There are no specific contraindications to oral NSAIDs like Motrin in Sjögren's syndrome patients for systemic indications. The available guidelines do not restrict systemic NSAID use in these patients 1, 2, 3.
Clinical Context for Systemic Use:
- Pain management: Short-term moderate-dose glucocorticoids are typically recommended for pain in Sjögren's, and in some cases disease-modifying drugs may be needed 2
- Standard precautions apply: Use the same caution as in any patient regarding GI, renal, and cardiovascular risks
- No specific Sjögren's-related systemic contraindication has been identified in current guidelines 1, 2, 3
Critical Caution: Topical NSAIDs on the Eye
Topical NSAIDs (including topical diclofenac) should be used with extreme caution or avoided in Sjögren's patients with dry eye disease due to documented risks of corneal sensitivity reduction and potential corneal melting 4.
Evidence for Topical NSAID Concerns:
- Clinical trials demonstrate that topical NSAIDs, particularly diclofenac, reduce corneal sensitivity in both normal subjects and dry eye patients 4
- Sporadic case reports document corneal melting in dry-eye patients who underwent surgical procedures while using topical NSAIDs 4
- Sjögren's dry eye is an inflammatory disease with impaired autonomous nervous system function of the ocular surface, making these patients particularly vulnerable 4
Preferred Ocular Treatments in Sjögren's:
- Artificial tears and autologous serum drops for ocular surface disease 5
- Cholinergic agonists (cevimeline, pilocarpine) for systemic sicca symptoms 5
- Punctal occlusion for severe dry eye 5
Important Pitfall to Avoid
Do not confuse systemic oral NSAIDs with topical ophthalmic NSAIDs—the safety concerns are specific to topical ocular application in the context of Sjögren's-related dry eye disease 4. Oral Motrin for arthralgia, myalgia, or other systemic indications does not carry the same corneal risk.