Tyrvaya (varenicline) is a brand-name nasal spray prescribed for dry eye disease in adults. As with other drugs, Tyrvaya can cause side effects. These may include a cough, sneezing, or nose irritation.

Tyrvaya can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. If they last longer than that, are bothersome, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported during clinical trials of Tyrvaya:

  • sneezing*
  • a cough
  • throat irritation
  • nose irritation*

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Tyrvaya use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Tyrvaya’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Tyrvaya include:

  • sneezing*
  • a cough
  • throat irritation
  • nose irritation*

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. If they last longer than that, are bothersome, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews the side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while using Tyrvaya and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Tyrvaya isn’t known to cause any serious side effects. For more information, you can refer to Tyrvaya’s prescribing information.

If you develop any side effects that you consider serious while using Tyrvaya, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Tyrvaya nasal spray can cause an allergic reaction. It’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.

Managing allergy symptoms

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep using the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms can become life threatening. They require immediate medical care. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Tyrvaya nasal spray, your doctor will recommend using a different medication instead.

Tyrvaya may cause several side effects. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the side effects of this drug.

Can Tyrvaya cause headaches or cancer?

No, Tyrvaya isn’t known to cause headaches or cancer. Neither headaches nor cancer were reported in studies of people using Tyrvaya to treat dry eye.

The active drug ingredient in Tyrvaya, varenicline, is also the active drug in a medication for smoking cessation (quitting smoking) called Chantix. It is taken by mouth, while Tyrvaya is used as a nasal spray. The cost and dosages of Chantix and Tyrvaya may also differ.

Chantix may cause headaches to occur as a side effect, but Tyrvaya is not known to cause headaches.

In 2021, the manufacturer of Chantix recalled the drug due to high levels of nitrosamines, which may increase the risk of cancer. Chantix is no longer available. The recall doesn’t affect Tyrvaya, and this medication isn’t known to increase your cancer risk.

If you have questions or concerns about the side effects of Tyrvaya, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is Tyrvaya a steroid medication?

No, Tyrvaya is not a steroid medication.

A drug to treat dry eye in the short term, Eysuvis, is a steroid medication. Its side effects are different from those of Tyrvaya and may include increased pressure in the eye or other vision changes.

People may only take Eysuvis for up to 2 weeks to treat dry eye disease. Tyrvaya can be a long-term treatment for dry eye disease.

For more information about the best treatment option for you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Where can I read more information about the side effects of Tyrvaya for dry eye?

This article discusses the common side effects of Tyrvaya for dry eye, but if you have additional questions about its side effects, be sure to discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist. You may also wish to read Tyrvaya reviews on the manufacturer’s website.

Learn more about some of the side effects Tyrvaya may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information.

Sneezing

You may experience sneezing more often than usual after your dose of Tyrvara. In fact, sneezing was the most common side effect reported in studies.

What you can do

If you notice that you’re sneezing more often than usual and the sneezing is severe or bothersome, talk with your doctor. They may recommend using a different medication to manage dry eye disease.

Nose irritation

It’s possible to develop nose irritation from using Tyrvaya. Nose irritation was a common side effect reported in studies.

What you can do

Tyrvaya is a nasal spray. To use it, you insert a device into your nose and spray a stream of solution. If you’re experiencing nasal irritation, be sure you’re using the nasal spray correctly.

The instructions for use recommend inserting the nasal applicator into the nose. Be sure not to press the top of the applicator against the wall of the inside of your nose. It’s possible this may increase the risk of nose irritation.

If you have questions about how to use Tyrvaya, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If you experience nose irritation, they may be able to help. In some cases, your doctor may recommend using a different medication to treat dry eye disease.

Tyrvaya doesn’t have any known contraindications. A contraindication is a factor or condition that could prevent your doctor from prescribing a drug due to the risk of harm.

Below is other important information to consider before using Tyrvaya.

Other precautions

Tyrvaya may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor before trying this medication, letting them know your health history.

It is particularly important to mention if any of the following apply to you:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.