Eye Drops Not Available

[Georgiesmum]

The local eye clinic had prescribed for me IOPIDINE eye drops for me to use three times a day in each eye. The local pharmacy say they cant supply me with these eye drops any more now and tell me I wont be able to get them in any other pharmacy now. Is anyone else having the same problems with supply?

[jno]

did they give a reason? I'd try another chemist or two, if there are any around, but if the answer is still No, ask the clinic what's up.

[Mamyalynne]

I am on two different drops to lower pressure, neither are Iopidine though - have you contacted the clinic for advice?

[Georgiesmum]

Yes, there are plenty more chemists around, one even next door but one to them. At the time they told me they were no longer available and that i wouldnt be able to get them now at any other chemists either.

[jno]

they might be wrong, other chemists might still have some in stock unless it's been officially withdrawn - in which case I'd expect the clinic to know.

[Peter Pedant]

it is apraclonidine and may be available with other formulations
contact the clinic and ask what is the substitute
clonidine eye drops are not as rare as hens teeth

are they prescribed by the Hospital or your GP?
if the GP then they have to write to him and ask him to prescribe the substitute

I had to tell my hospital doctor what 1/2 % pred eye drops were not available in Manchester and he looked at me despairingly.
I said 'I know I know. it is pred for chrissakes, dont look like that'
so the GP does 1% now BUT was reluctant to (double up) until asked to

Christie I got mixed up about who prescribes what
and got a very curt refusal from Dr Adam X - Christie does not prescribe GP based drugs
oo-er mrs that wasnt very helpful !

so good luck

[Georgiesmum]

Thanks for both your replies.
I also use Alphagan, Dorzolamide andLatanoprost eye drops as well.

[Georgiesmum]

......but the IOPIDINE ones are the ones that I always feel instant relief from.

[Peter Pedant]

go on searching
and it may well be a long search ....

[jno]

Mistry's say they have it in stock, at a price

https://www.mistrys.co.uk/iopidine-eye-drops-solution-0-5-5ml-alcon-uk.html

[Peter Pedant]

made by novartis in this country
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/838/pil
ring them tomorrow and ask what the hold up is

[Georgiesmum]

Thanks everyone. The only message I received was a message to increase the use of my Alphagan eye drops instead, but I can feel the difference. I will investigate some more!

[Mamyalynne]

Hope you get sorted Gm, let us know.

[Georgiesmum]

Thanks Mamya.x

Im wondering now if they have been taken off availability list because of the price, to buy them myself they are over £14 a bottle plus p and p and p and I was having two bottles a month via the nhs.Maybe its another example of their cutbacks.