Iopidine: Hello everyone, is anyone having... - Glaucoma UK

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Iopidine

Amjan profile image
28 Replies

Hello everyone, is anyone having problem with getting GP to prescibe Iopidine eye drops?

My GP is refusing to prescribe it, saying its coming up as a red flag. Does anyone know what it means? This was prescribed by a consultant at hospital on 22nd March, when I was put on a waiting list for presserflo surgery. I was told I will be called in for surgery within 6 weeks, but I am still waiting and have run out of the eye drops, I have been phoning hospital but getting nowhere, I have no idea what to do and am stressed. Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks.

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Amjan
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28 Replies
1inana profile image
1inana

Have you tried contacting your consultant’s secretary? They are very helpful and are always my first port of call if I have a problem. Otherwise, if your hospital has an eye casualty department I would go there. Good luck.

Amjan profile image
Amjan in reply to 1inana

Thanks 11inana for your reply I have already spoken to my consultant s secretary, hospital appointment date and waiting list dpt, they all say they will phone me back but none of them have bothered to call me back. Might have to govto casualty dpt as you said. Thanks for your advice.

Johnneyh profile image
Johnneyh

I was prescribed drops called yellox for macular odema after it set in through catteract surgery i order through pharmacy but was told they cant get hold of them even the place where they get them from cant get them how im i supposed to follow consulants instructions its a complete night mare from top to bottom i just give up its same wuth other drops ive been prescribed as well

Amjan profile image
Amjan in reply to Johnneyh

Hi Johnneyh, I can feel your frustration, my GP is also refusing to prescribe Azarga which was recommended by consultant, GP prescribed another generic drops which I already have used but don't suit me, so I will be without Azarga as well. Just like you I feel like giving up as well. The receptionist at surgery will not even let me talk to GP, what can you do? I feel like they don't care about their patient all they care about is howhowever they can save more and more money.

Johnneyh profile image
Johnneyh in reply to Amjan

The pharmacy showed me baskets where part prescripitions were in side she told me i wasnt the only one as the baskets were waiting for drugs to be added which they just couldnt get from the supplier some people waiting up to a week for their prescritions to be completed it seems a nightmare all round

Trish_GlaucomaUK profile image
Trish_GlaucomaUKPartner

If you have been prescribed this by your consultant, your GP should be writing out a prescription without question. If they have any concerns with the prescription they should be contacting your consultant to clarify with them. I don't who you have trying to call at the hospital, but it would be best to call the eye secretary. They can then relay the problem to your consultant and get back to you.

Johnneyh profile image
Johnneyh in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK

Trying to get through to a gps surgery is another nightmare you just cant get through every thing seems to be online these days and as for the hospital i visit is 30 miles away and i cant get through either ive tryed other pharmacys in the area and all are saying the same

Amjan profile image
Amjan in reply to Johnneyh

I agree Johnneyh, it is hard to get in touch with GP, in my case getting pass the receptionists is nightmare,

Amjan profile image
Amjan in reply to Trish_GlaucomaUK

Hi Trish, thanks for your advice. I have again left a message for secretary as the phone is constantly on answerphone. Hopefully she will get back to me.

Cornwalleyes profile image
Cornwalleyes

I have been using Iopidine drops for five years with no problem, your GP isn’t an expert but your consultant is. You could try your local eye casually unit if you can’t get anyone else to help.

Amjan profile image
Amjan in reply to Cornwalleyes

Thank you Cornwalleyes, as a last resort I may will have to do that.

JustAmanda profile image
JustAmanda

I think there are shortages of some drugs, especially ones imported.

rcophth.ac.uk/standards-and...

Amjan profile image
Amjan in reply to JustAmanda

Hi JustAmanda, thanks for the suggestion but I don't think that is the case as checked the list, iopidine is not in the list.

JustAmanda profile image
JustAmanda in reply to Amjan

I’m pleased about that. I know that some have found difficulty getting supplies of Monopost, which I’m on. I hope you get it resolved soon.

Bellamolly60 profile image
Bellamolly60 in reply to JustAmanda

I was on that now my consultant has put me

Tipoex

JustAmanda profile image
JustAmanda in reply to Bellamolly60

Is that because of the shortage or for another reason? Do you know if it’s as effective?

Bellamolly60 profile image
Bellamolly60 in reply to JustAmanda

he said it is just as effective I have been on

A lot of Timoptol over the years and there

Various variations 🇳🇱🇺🇦🇺🇦☘️👍

autumnlass profile image
autumnlass

I have iopidine as one of my eyedrops and I believe that GP’s cannot prescribe these drops. My consultant at the Eye Clinic writes a script up for the Hospital Pharmacy to dispense. As 1inana suggests I would go to Eye Casualty Department where you are. I wish I could cyber send you a box! Good Luck. 🍀🤞🏻

Amjan profile image
Amjan in reply to autumnlass

Hello autumnlas, thank you for your reply. I think that might be the case that GP can not prescribe, but my consultant didn't make me aware of it, would have saved lot of time and pain. I have left a message again for consultant s secretary hopehopefully she will get back to me!!

autumnlass profile image
autumnlass

Hello Amjan

I do hope you get it before the weekend. Has your surgery a dispensary? If so, they are more than helpful. Good Luck - I’m sure you’ll get some! 🍀🍀

Amjan profile image
Amjan

Thank you all so much for your advice and support. Just wanted to update you all that my consultant's secretary got back to me, she explained that GPs can not prescribed Iopidine, she will get green prescription issued and posted to my address ,( would have been quicker and easier for me to collect it) hopefully i wiĺ receive it by Monday. She also told me she will speak to my GP about Azarga as he should prescribed it if the consultant has sent this in a letter to him. So I am hoping to get this sorted soon.. It feels so much better talking to you all who do go through similar issues and do understand what it's like dealing with it. Thank you all again.

Amjan profile image
Amjan

Good news, I have received the prescription for Iopidine from hospital, and GP has also prescribed Azarga which he refused to prescribe Initially, is now on repeat prescription. All good.

BeeLib profile image
BeeLib in reply to Amjan

I’m so glad you are sorted. I’ve had similar times - it’s very stressful. Great you persevered. Good luck for the future.

Amjan profile image
Amjan in reply to BeeLib

Thank you BeeLib.

warwickshire_singh profile image
warwickshire_singh in reply to Amjan

I have been using Azarga for over 11 years!

Amjan profile image
Amjan in reply to warwickshire_singh

Thank you Warwickshire Singh, I have only started about 3 months now.

DaisyDoolittle profile image
DaisyDoolittle

I was given iopodine drops and they caused 3 ulcers in my eye!

Amjan profile image
Amjan in reply to DaisyDoolittle

That's scary DaisyDoolittle, I am sorry to hear that. How long did you use it for before you got ulcers? Did they manage to treat them successfully?

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