How to Check If a Pharmacy Has Polymyxin B/Trimethoprim in Stock (Without Calling)

Checking whether your pharmacy has Polymyxin B/Trimethoprim in stock used to mean calling pharmacies one by one and waiting on hold. In 2026, there are faster and smarter ways to find out which pharmacy has it — without picking up the phone at all. This guide covers the best tools and tactics.

Why Pharmacy Stock Varies So Much

Even though Polymyxin B/Trimethoprim is actively manufactured by both Bausch Health and Sandoz, individual pharmacy inventory depends on local ordering patterns, wholesaler relationships, and demand spikes — especially during conjunctivitis season in late winter and spring. A pharmacy that was fully stocked last week may be out today. Stock is dynamic, which is why checking before you go matters.

Option 1: Use medfinder — The Easiest Way

medfinder is a service built specifically for finding medications in stock. You submit your medication name, dosage, and zip code, and medfinder contacts pharmacies near you to check real-time availability. Results are texted to you — no hold music, no repeated explanations. This is particularly useful for medications like Polymyxin B/Trimethoprim that have variable pharmacy-level stock.

Option 2: Use GoodRx to Compare Prices and Identify Available Pharmacies

GoodRx.com and the GoodRx app let you search for polymyxin B/trimethoprim and see a list of nearby pharmacies with their prices. While GoodRx doesn't guarantee real-time stock availability, pharmacies that appear with a price are typically ones that carry the drug. This can narrow your list before you check stock or call.

Option 3: Check Your Pharmacy's App or Website

Some larger chain pharmacies — including CVS and Walgreens — allow you to check prescription availability through their apps or websites. If you're a registered patient at that pharmacy, you may be able to log in and search for your medication to see if it's in stock at your preferred location. Note that this feature varies by chain and location, and may not reflect real-time inventory accurately.

Option 4: Ask Your Pharmacy to Do a Cross-Chain Stock Check

If you are at the counter and your pharmacy is out of stock, ask the pharmacist to check inventory at nearby locations in their system. Most chain pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Publix, etc.) have internal inventory systems that let staff see which other locations in the area have the medication in stock. This takes about 1–2 minutes and is often worth asking for.

Option 5: Call Your Pharmacy's Automated Phone Line

If you do need to call, some pharmacies offer automated prescription status checks via their phone systems. While not always set up for checking specific drug availability before filling, you can ask the automated system to connect you to a pharmacist and then ask directly. This is faster than waiting in line.

What to Say When You Call or Check Stock

Use this language for accuracy:

"Do you have polymyxin B sulfate and trimethoprim ophthalmic solution in stock? It's a 10 mL eye drop bottle."

"I'll accept either the Bausch or Sandoz generic version."

"If you don't have it, can you order it? How soon would it arrive?"

When None of These Work: What's Next?

If you've genuinely exhausted nearby options, call your prescriber and ask for an alternative antibiotic eye drop prescription. Ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, or ofloxacin are all appropriate alternatives that treat the same bacterial eye infections. Read our guide on alternatives to Polymyxin B/Trimethoprim for a full comparison.

The Bottom Line

The fastest way to check pharmacy stock for Polymyxin B/Trimethoprim is to use a pharmacy-finding tool like medfinder that checks multiple pharmacies for you. GoodRx can help you identify which pharmacies carry it at the lowest price, and your pharmacist can check nearby locations in their chain's system. Don't sit on an untreated eye infection — use these tools to find your medication quickly.