Brinzolamide Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

If you've been struggling to fill your brinzolamide (Azopt) prescription in 2026, you're not alone. Patients across the country have reported difficulty finding this glaucoma eye drop at their local pharmacies. Here's what we know about the current supply situation, why it's happening, and what you can do to protect your treatment.

Is Brinzolamide Officially in Shortage in 2026?

As of 2026, brinzolamide ophthalmic suspension 1% does not appear on the FDA's official drug shortage database. However, the absence of an official designation does not mean the drug is universally available. Localized and regional shortages — where national supply is technically adequate but distribution is uneven — are common for specialty ophthalmic medications.

The FDA defines a drug shortage as a period when supply of a drug is inadequate to meet national demand. Regional or pharmacy-level stockouts may not rise to this threshold, even when patients in a specific area genuinely cannot find the medication.

What's Causing Supply Issues With Brinzolamide?

Several structural factors make brinzolamide more vulnerable to supply disruptions than common oral medications:

Sterile manufacturing requirements. As a sterile ophthalmic suspension, brinzolamide requires specialized cleanroom production. Any quality issue, batch failure, or FDA inspection finding at a manufacturing facility can halt production and take months to resolve.

Limited manufacturers. Generic brinzolamide only became available in 2021. The market is still served by a relatively small number of manufacturers — primarily Sandoz, Bausch & Lomb, and Teva — meaning a disruption at any one of them has an outsized effect.

Low stocking volume at pharmacies. Pharmacies order specialty ophthalmic medications in small quantities. A brief surge in demand or a missed delivery can deplete local inventory quickly.

Multiple formulations, one pharmacy shelf. The drug exists as brand Azopt, several generics, and the combination Simbrinza — all stocked separately. Your prescription may specify one formulation that's out while another is available.

Historical Context: Has Brinzolamide Been in Shortage Before?

Brinzolamide has historically had fewer national shortage events than some other ophthalmic medications, but localized availability problems have been documented periodically. The transition from brand-only (Azopt) to generic availability in 2021 actually improved overall supply in the long run — more manufacturers mean more production capacity. However, the market is still maturing, and not all pharmacies consistently carry every generic manufacturer's version.

What Should Patients Do Right Now?

If you're having trouble finding brinzolamide at your pharmacy, take these steps immediately:

Don't skip doses. Elevated IOP from missed doses can damage the optic nerve. This is your top priority.

Call multiple pharmacies. Ask specifically about brinzolamide 1% ophthalmic suspension — both brand and generic. Stock varies significantly by location.

Use medfinder. medfinder calls pharmacies near you to identify which ones have your medication in stock, saving you hours of individual phone calls.

Contact your eye doctor. Your prescriber can provide samples, authorize brand/generic substitution, or prescribe an appropriate alternative while you search.

Ask about mail-order pharmacies. Mail-order pharmacies have larger inventories and may have stock when local pharmacies don't.

When to Consider an Alternative Medication

If brinzolamide is consistently unavailable in your area over several days, discuss alternatives with your eye doctor. The most clinically similar substitute is dorzolamide (Trusopt) — same mechanism, widely available, and significantly cheaper. Switching requires a new prescription and ideally an IOP check after the transition.

How to Stay Ahead of Future Shortages

Refill when 75% used — don't wait until the last drop

Switch to 90-day mail-order refills to reduce frequency of searching for stock

Ask your pharmacist to special-order your next supply in advance

Keep your prescriber informed of any supply challenges so they can document them and keep samples on hand

The Bottom Line

Brinzolamide is not officially in shortage in 2026, but localized supply problems are real. If you're struggling to fill your prescription, act quickly — contact your prescriber, try multiple pharmacies, and use medfinder to locate stock near you. Never interrupt your glaucoma treatment without medical guidance.

If the shortage persists, read our guide on alternatives to brinzolamide to discuss options with your eye doctor.