Preservative free pilocarpine

[Crafted]

Pilocarpine eye drops prescribed preservative free but pharmacy not been able to get me any so stuck with non preservative kind it seems. Anyone know why they are not available or is it just in my region?

[Ktpink]

Hi there, I have been on these for several years. They are great as they come in the little single use units. They are by Minims and the pharmacy should be able to order them in. I’m in Northern Ireland. I’ve moved a couple of times and any new pharmacy has had to order, they are not commonly used apparently. But now they know me they always have two boxes in stock. Hope you get them, preservative free does makes a difference, my eyes dried out when I was using my other drop that was non preservative free.

[Crafted in reply to Ktpink]

OK thank you. I am not sure what else can be done. They have been on order now for over 2 weeks and still none and Pilocarpine seems to be the drops I am most sensitive to.

[Ktpink in reply to Crafted]

Aw that’s not good. Did you try phoning round other pharmacies. Mine are usually in within a day if I need to order. Yes they are a good drop and the single use preservative free would certainly be a benefit for you. Good luck

[Crafted in reply to Ktpink]

Thank you I will give that a try

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello. We haven't been aware of a production problem for this drop. A lot of the time it is the supplier and not the manufacturer where the hold up is. The pharmacist should be able to contact the manufacturer to find out if there is a problem. If there is no problem with production they can arrange a delivery to be made to there store.

[Crafted in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Thanks for letting me know Trish. I rang the pharmacy earlier today just to make sure they were on order as I was told when I picked up a previous prescription. Apparently there has been a mix up in the prescription and pharmacy need to get a replacement from the Dr. They have assured me that once they get this, I will have them in a couple of days. Thanks again for checking.

[Crafted in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Hi thereIt's taken all this time to get the drops preservative free and I have only taken them for a while but can't seem to tolerate the preservative free versions either. (pilocarpine PF and Cosopt) Feel so bad I can't put them in today and worried as i have narrow angles. Bad stomach and felt faint whilst on loo amongst other stuff I haven't had more than 1 or 2 hrs sleep on any night since beginning meds in March. Nor do I seem to tolerate Diamox. Taking that was when troubles started. Despite placing my finger at the side when putting drops in is not sufficient to stop the drugs getting into my system. Is there anything else/better. Consultant said there wasn't an alternative to pilocarpine. Any advice you could offer. Thanks

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hello, sorry for the delay in replying and I hope you are feeling better since writing this post and you have contacted the consultant to make them aware you cannot tolerate the drops as they will need to know. If you cannot tolerate drops even if they are preservative free the consultant will need to discuss other options with you such as laser or surgery.

[Crafted in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

I have already had irridotomies albeit a long time ago. I apparently only have a choice of surgery now. Consultant does not want to change drops as they work well on pressures even though it is accepted that I am just very sensitive to them but has changed daily dose. Maybe the concentration being lowered might help?

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

The thing is, if a patients doesn't get on with drops, whether they are having bad side effects or they don't work in controlling the eye pressure, The consultant has to look at alternative treatment. It is true that if a consultant is happy with the way the drops work, they will be happy with you carrying on using them but they have to take into account how the drops are affecting you. If a person can't tolerate the drops it has to be addressed. I would discuss other treatment options next time you see the consultant.