There are two ways cocaine causes dilated pupils: Cocaine triggers the release of brain chemicals like dopamine and endorphins. Certain prescription eye drops, such as pilocarpine, carbachol, echothiophate, demecarium, and epinephrine, can also cause pinpoint pupils. The dilated pupils drugs cause is often a visible sign that a person may have used or abused a substance. Certain medications for anxiety, muscle spasms and seizures, such as diazepam (Valium) and antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), can cause the pupils to shrink. morphine. For example, ingesting Some first-generation antihistamines, such as Atypical Many of the causes of pinpoint pupils are serious medical conditions, such as opioid dependency or pesticide poisoning. There are many possible causes of dilated pupils that are not drug related. Lower doses can cause constriction gradually over time. Cocaine causes dilated pupils because of inhibition of reuptake of norepinephrine. Norepinephrine dilates the eyes. Along with pupil size, Prescription Opioids (Narcotics) Prescription opioids, also known as narcotics, are used to relieve moderate to severe pain. These drugs can enlarge your pupils by affecting a neurotransmitter called serotonin. oxycodone. Amphetamines Molly, MDMA, Ecstasy, and similar drugs can cause pupil size changes and blurred vision. Cocaine eyes, also known as cocaine pupils, refer to how the pupils appear after they have taken cocaine. Smaller, constricted pupils are an indicator of opioid use. Ya heroin and other opiates cause small pupils usually. https://www.findrehabcenters.org/community/substance These drugs can also cause nystagmus. What drugs give you small pupils? Horner syndrome A rare condition caused by a tumor, stroke or Causes of unequal pupils can include: 2. It also blocks the hormones reabsorption. fentanyl. Fentanyl: Fentanyl, also spelled fentanil, is a powerful opioid used as a pain medication and, together with other Cocaine triggers the release of a hormone called norepinephrine. Cocaine tends to affect the eyes in a couple different ways. And since pupil dilation is a common symptom of drug abuse, understanding which drugs cause this noticeable condition is an important step in helping to navigate addiction. Examples of hallucinogens include LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin mushrooms. yes it does all opiates cause myosis (small pupils) as long as you hit a certain point of mgs your pupils will go into myosis. Hypertension medications Some high blood pressure medications, such as tetrahydrozoline, can cause small pupils. In particular, methamphetamine causes the pupils of your eyes to be dilated (become larger). In stark contrast, there are some drugs that can actually cause your pupils to shrink. Substances that may be causing your small pupils include: Antihistamines These drugs are commonly used to treat allergies. One of those effects is on the eyes. Eye injuries. This means that the individuals pupils will become pin-pointed (constricted) or extremely small. Abusing heroin, fentanyl, or prescription painkillers can cause your pupils to constrict. The most common drugs that cause dilated pupils are: Alcohol Since alcohol contains ethanol, the body reacts to the substance with mild to moderate symptoms. What diseases cause small pupils? In some cases, small pupils may indicate a drug overdose or other drug The most popular psychedelics include LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, and ketamine. Non-opioid drugs that can cause constricted pupils include: Hypertension medications such as clonidine or tetrahydrozoline Antipsychotics MAO inhibitors and other antidepressants, and morphine. Small pupils may be caused by opiates, clonidine, organophosphates, pilocarpine, and prostaglandins. Many drugs can work on the brains neurotransmitters and affect the dilation of the pupils. Multiple sclerosis (MS): MS is a chronic neurological disorder that causes symptoms affecting vision, movement, sensation, and more. Additionally, the stimulant medication used in Addiction to this drug can cause damaging side effects to the general health of the person who uses the drug that tend to be noticeable to others. Which Drugs Make Your Pupils Small? hydrocodone. These common medications can cause issues with your eyes: Alendronate (Fosamax) is one of a class of medications called bisphosphonates that treat osteoporosis. the eyes to constrict. Drugs can cause a pupil to change in two ways by dilation making the pupil larger or constricting the pupils. fentanyl. Topiramate (Topamax) treats seizure disorders, migraines and mood disorders. Only two drugs constrict the pupils those being opiates and alcohol. Brain injuries. Stroke or Drug Effects on Eyes: Redness, Dilated & Pinpoint Pupils Insurance Providers Addiction Take the Survey Addiction by Substance Alcohol Ambien Barbiturate Benzodiazepine Cocaine Fentanyl Nystagmus is a rapid quivering of an individuals pupils, indicating eyes on drugs. Pinpoint pupils are not a disease on their own, but they can indicate an underlying medical problem. Studies reveal that people taking methadone show smaller pupil diameters. Some drugs cause your pupils to be less able to react to changes in light. When a person uses opioids, the parasympathetic nervous system contracts the circular iris sphincters, making the pupils small. Substances that can cause dilated pupils include the following: Illicit drugs, such as bath salts, MDMA, LSD, mescaline, and methamphetamine Prescription drugs, such as amphetamines, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, ketamine, muscle relaxants, and stimulants Over-the-counter drugs, such as decongestants and nicotine Certain drugs Generally, medications taken systemically will not cause anisocoria since both pupils will constrict or dilate but can cause anisocoria if the medication gets into only one eye. One of the signs of overdose at high dosages is pinpoint pupils that do not react to changes in light. 6. In high concentrations, it may cause cycloplegia, and in chronic users, exophthalmos and retraction of upper eyelid can occur Cranial nerve damage: This can occur due to a stroke (a blockage of blood flow or bleeding in the brain), brain aneurysm (defect in a blood vessel), or a brain tumor. Pinpoint pupils When the powder is sniffed, effects are produced within 1-3 min and last for about 30 min. Here are some internal and external issues that may result in dilation: Dim lighting. Besides having pinpoint pupils, are there any other signs you've noticed? methadone. Benzodiazepines Similar to alcohol, benzodiazepinesat recreational doses can cause altered blurry or double vision. But there are other side effects of meth abuse as well. Poisonings. methadone. Diagnostic criteria. One of the most likely reasons someone might have pinpoint pupils is the use of narcotic pain medications and other drugs in the opioid family, such as: codeine. Changes in pupil size are an indicator that a person might be intoxicated on illicit or recreational drugs. 7. oxycodone. Commonly misused drugs that dilate the pupils include: amphetamines bath salts benzodiazepines cocaine and crack cocaine crystal methamphetamine ecstasy ketamine LSD Pinpoint pupil size may occur with the use of certain drugs such as heroin, morphine, fentanyl and other opioids. Opioids such as fentanyl, heroin, and oxycodone can cause your pupils to become significantly smaller in Anyone experiencing pinpoint pupils with no apparent cause should see a doctor as soon as possible. These include: SSRI antidepressants Amphetamines MDMA (ecstasy/molly) Psilocybin LSD (acid) heroin. These drugs cause the pupils to dilate, often becoming so large that the eye appears completely black. Almost all drugs cause changes in the eyes, whether they dilate or pinpoint, become bloodshot or glassy. hydrocodone. [Total: 0 Average: 0] codeine. Having high levels of these chemicals leads to cocaine eyes. Certain medications for anxiety, muscle spasms and seizures, such as diazepam (valium) and antihistamines like diphenhydramine (benadryl), can cause the pupils to shrink. heroin. Mental & emotional state. Narcotic substances, both legal and illegal, such as heroin, hydrocodone, morphine, and fentanyl, constrict the pupils. These drugs It can cause blurred vision, eye pain, conjunctivitis and double vision. Xanax, a benzodiazepine drug, can also make pupils dilate since it affects the activity of neurotransmitter GABA that relaxes the muscles. What causes pupils to be unequal? Possible Causes of Dilated Pupils. Narcotics, Substance abuse: Opioids are the most common drug associated with pinpoint pupils.