When Your Pharmacy Is Out of Muro 128

You depend on Muro 128 to keep your cornea clear and your vision functional. But when your pharmacy can't fill your prescription — again — you need options. The good news is that Muro 128 isn't the only game in town for treating corneal edema.

In this post, we'll cover what Muro 128 does, how it works, and the alternatives your doctor might suggest if you can't find it. None of these substitutions should be made on your own — always talk to your eye care provider before switching medications.

What Is Muro 128?

Muro 128 is a brand-name ophthalmic product made by Bausch + Lomb. Its active ingredient is Sodium Chloride in a hypertonic concentration — either 2% or 5%. It's available as eye drops and as an ointment.

Doctors prescribe Muro 128 primarily for corneal edema, a condition where the cornea (the clear front part of the eye) swells with excess fluid. This swelling can cause blurry vision, halos around lights, and discomfort. Corneal edema is commonly associated with:

• Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy — a progressive condition where cells in the cornea gradually stop working properly
• Post-surgical swelling — after cataract surgery, LASIK, or other eye procedures
• Bullous keratopathy — blisters on the corneal surface from chronic edema

How Does Muro 128 Work?

Muro 128 works through a simple but effective principle: osmosis. The hypertonic (extra-salty) solution creates a higher salt concentration on the surface of the eye than inside the cornea. Water naturally moves from areas of low salt concentration to high salt concentration, so the excess fluid in the cornea gets drawn out.

This reduces swelling temporarily, clearing the cornea and improving vision. The effect isn't permanent — you need to use the medication regularly as directed. The drops provide quicker but shorter relief, while the ointment (usually applied at bedtime) works more slowly but lasts longer.

For a deeper dive into the science, see our article on how Muro 128 works.

Alternatives to Muro 128

If you can't find Muro 128, these are the most common alternatives your doctor may consider. All of them work on the same basic principle — hypertonic sodium chloride to reduce corneal edema.

1. Generic Sodium Chloride 5% Ophthalmic Solution

This is the most direct alternative to brand-name Muro 128 drops. Generic Sodium Chloride 5% ophthalmic solution contains the exact same active ingredient at the same concentration. The difference is the manufacturer — and often the price.

• How it compares: Therapeutically equivalent to Muro 128 5% drops
• Cost: Typically $10 to $25, compared to $15 to $35 for brand-name Muro 128
• Availability: May be easier to find since multiple manufacturers produce generic versions

Ask your pharmacist if they have generic Sodium Chloride 5% ophthalmic in stock — they may have it even when Muro 128 isn't available.

2. Generic Sodium Chloride 5% Ophthalmic Ointment

If you use the Muro 128 ointment (typically at bedtime), a generic Sodium Chloride 5% ointment is the closest substitute. Like the drops, it contains the same active ingredient and works the same way.

• How it compares: Therapeutically equivalent to Muro 128 5% ointment
• Cost: Similar to or slightly less than brand-name pricing
• Availability: The ointment form has been harder to find across all brands, but it's worth checking with independent pharmacies and compounding pharmacies

3. Sochlor (Sodium Chloride 5%)

Sochlor is another branded Sodium Chloride 5% ophthalmic product. It works identically to Muro 128 and may be available when Muro 128 is not.

• How it compares: Same active ingredient, same concentration, same mechanism
• Cost: Pricing varies but is generally comparable to Muro 128
• Availability: Ask your pharmacist to check their wholesaler for Sochlor as an alternative

4. Compounded Hypertonic Sodium Chloride

If no commercial product is available, a compounding pharmacy can prepare hypertonic sodium chloride drops or ointment specifically for you. This is a custom-made version of the same medication.

• How it compares: Same active ingredient, custom-prepared to your doctor's specifications
• Cost: Varies widely — typically $20 to $50 depending on the compounding pharmacy
• Availability: Essentially always available, since the compounding pharmacy makes it on demand
• Note: Compounded products are not FDA-approved in the same way commercial products are, but they are regulated and can be a good option when commercial products are unavailable

What About Over-the-Counter Options?

Some patients wonder if OTC lubricating eye drops can replace Muro 128. The short answer: they're not the same thing. Standard artificial tears and lubricant drops hydrate the eye surface but do not draw excess fluid out of the cornea. They won't effectively treat corneal edema.

However, some OTC products marketed as "hypertonic" eye drops do exist. If you're considering an OTC option, make sure it specifically contains Sodium Chloride 5% and is labeled for corneal edema. And always check with your doctor first.

How to Talk to Your Doctor About Switching

If you need to switch from Muro 128 to an alternative, here's how to approach the conversation:

1. Explain the situation: Tell your doctor that you haven't been able to find Muro 128 and ask about alternatives.
2. Ask about generics: Your doctor can write a new prescription for generic Sodium Chloride 5% if your current prescription is written specifically for Muro 128.
3. Discuss compounding: If all commercial options are unavailable, ask if a compounded version would be appropriate.
4. Review your treatment plan: This is also a good time to discuss whether your current regimen is working well and if any adjustments are needed.

Final Thoughts

Not being able to find your medication is stressful, especially when it affects your vision. But Muro 128 isn't the only way to treat corneal edema — generic Sodium Chloride 5% products, other brands like Sochlor, and compounded preparations can all get the job done.

Use Medfinder to check availability of Muro 128 and its alternatives near you. For tips on locating stock, see our guide on how to find Muro 128 in stock. And for the latest supply information, check our Muro 128 shortage update for 2026.