Shortage of Brinzolamide eye drops

[hirsey12]

Just been to the pharmacy to collect a repeat prescription of eye drops and been told they can’t get hold of any Brinzolamide drops due to a shortage. The pharmacist said dorzolamide is an alternative and is available. Is it okay to just swap onto another eye drop like this?

[Beecalmed]

I would contact your consultants secretary and ask for advice. It’s likely if there’s a known shortage your consultant will know about it and has already had other patients contact them and will quickly offer a solution. In my case when it happened they were very helpful and very sympathetic.

My issue was the chemist wouldn’t issue the different drop without an amended prescription as it was a more expensive product, so my consultant secretary helped with that. Different drops work differently and can have different side effects and even if this is another carbonic anhydrase inhibitor your consultant is the best person to make the decision. Don’t go without drops though, so contact the consultant without delay.

[muddledme in reply to Beecalmed]

Yes, I would agree with Beecalmed, and add that it may be worth phoning other chemists as some have different suppliers. Asda pharmacy helped me out twice.

Glaucoma UK advise asking the pharmacist to contact the supplier to find out what the situation is.

Best wishes

[Transporterman]

Hi I must have been lucky just picked up two bottles of Brinzolamide. My consultant prescribed Dorzolamide which I could not tolerate & returned me onto Dorzolamide after two weeks.

[KayGeeBee]

I had a similar problem with Bimatoprost availability a while ago when my normal pharmacy couldn't source it. I contacted my GP and they found a different local pharmacy which had stock and they even delivered it to my home. So it's worth mentioning to your GP.

[hirsey12 in reply to KayGeeBee]

Thanks for the reply and suggestion. My GP did the same and found a different local pharmacy which had stock and I’ve picked it up now.

[mrswaffle]

I had the same problem with Boots with my Azarga drops , just before the first lockdown. They were extremely UNhelpful, likewise (unfortunately) the GP surgery. I did my own research, had good service from Asda, (but it’s too far to drive regularly; I try not to do unnecessary driving) and then found a super pharmacy about 7 miles away. Their care and service have been wonderful and they will even deliver if we prefer that! They are part of a small chain called Well-being.

[hirsey12 in reply to mrswaffle]

Thanks for the reply, I’ve been able to get some Brinzolamide from an independent pharmacy locally through my GP surgery so very relieved.

[Trish_GlaucomaUK Partner]

hello hirsey12,

The drops are totally different so would not be a good idea to start on the Dorzolamide. The only person who can decide on an alternative is your consultant. You can contact the eye secretary and they can check with the consultant to prescribe you an alternative during this time.

We have not been made aware of a shortage. The problem sonetimes rest with the supplier and not the manufacturer. The pharmacist can call the manufacturer, who will advise them if there is a problem with production and give a date if possible of when it will be available.

If it is a supplier problem. The manufacturer may be able to send some stock directly to the pharmacist to cover prescriptions.

[hirsey12 in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK]

Thanks for the reply Trish, thankfully my doctor was able to source the drops from an independent pharmacy locally so I’ve got a bottle now. I did have some doubts about going onto dorzolamide drops.

[CC08]

hi there I’ve been struggling to get Azopt (Brinzolamide) for about 6 weeks now I’m in Kidderminster and have contacted a number of chemists to no avail yet

[Sennara in reply to CC08]

Hi, I have the same problem 6 weeks for me too. I'm just about to start my last bottle.. worrying to read there are many others waiting x

[Welshsailor in reply to Sennara]

have the brinzolamide drops worked ok?

[Lookatme]

My Azopt supply has been terrible this year only 2 months (2 bottles) in the last 4 months so missed 2 months. Unavailable at chemists within 50 miles due to 2 main wholesalers lack of stock so unable to order. No regular supply for my vital medication has now forced me to get Azopt from France/Spain where there is over the counter supply at 5 euros. NHS price £2.28 per month per bottle but your GP will change it to a cheaper generic version with more side effects telling you it's the same medication. It's not by law generic medication can be up to 20% different.