How to Find Cyclogyl in Stock Near You (Tools + Tips)

With cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl) in ongoing FDA shortage, finding it at your local pharmacy has become a real challenge. Whether you need it for a child's eye exam or your own appointment, calling around pharmacy to pharmacy is frustrating and time-consuming. This guide gives you the best tools and strategies to locate Cyclogyl in stock near you — fast.

Why Is Cyclogyl So Hard to Find Right Now?

The cyclopentolate shortage started in early 2023 when Akorn Pharmaceuticals — a major manufacturer of generic ophthalmic drugs — shut down permanently after filing for bankruptcy. Since then, only Alcon, Sandoz, and Bausch Health produce cyclopentolate for the U.S. market. While supply has improved from its worst levels, the FDA still lists it as being in active shortage. You can read the full background in our post: Why Is Cyclogyl So Hard to Find? Explained for 2026.

Step 1: Use medfinder to Check Pharmacies Near You

The fastest way to find Cyclogyl without calling every pharmacy yourself is to use medfinder. Here's how it works:

Enter your medication (Cyclogyl or cyclopentolate), your dosage, and your location at medfinder.com.

medfinder contacts pharmacies near you to check which ones can fill your prescription.

You receive the results by text, so you know exactly where to go before you leave home.

This removes the guesswork and the time-consuming phone calls. medfinder does the legwork for you.

Step 2: Call Independent and Hospital Pharmacies

During drug shortages, large chain pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens often run out first. Independent pharmacies and hospital pharmacies maintain their own separate supply chains and may have stock when chains don't. When searching for Cyclogyl, make sure to check:

Independent community pharmacies (often listed in local directories)

Hospital outpatient pharmacies

Costco and Walmart pharmacies (often have separate generic purchasing)

Specialty or compounding pharmacies, which may be able to compound cyclopentolate if the commercial supply is unavailable

Step 3: Ask About Different Strengths or Sizes

Cyclopentolate comes in three concentrations — 0.5%, 1%, and 2% — and several bottle sizes (2 mL, 5 mL, and 15 mL). During a shortage, one concentration or size may be available while another isn't. Talk to your eye doctor about whether a different strength could work for your situation. For example, a child who typically gets the 1% solution might be able to use the 0.5% solution with an adjusted number of drops.

Step 4: Ask Your Eye Doctor If They Have Stock

In most cases, cyclopentolate is administered by your eye doctor in the exam room — not picked up from a retail pharmacy. If your doctor has asked you to bring your own bottle, it's worth calling the office to ask whether they have any in their clinical supply that they could use during your visit instead. Ophthalmology and optometry offices often purchase directly from distributors and may have access to stock that retail pharmacies don't.

Step 5: Consider Alternatives If Cyclogyl Is Unavailable

If Cyclogyl simply can't be found in your area, talk to your eye doctor about alternatives. Tropicamide (Mydriacyl) is the most commonly used alternative — it works faster and wears off sooner, though it provides slightly less complete cycloplegia. Atropine is another option for cases requiring maximum cycloplegic effect. See our full guide to alternatives to Cyclogyl for a complete comparison.

Tips for Saving Money on Cyclogyl When You Find It

Once you locate it, make sure you're not overpaying. Here's a quick summary:

Always ask for generic cyclopentolate HCl instead of brand-name Cyclogyl — same active ingredient, significantly lower price.

Use a GoodRx or SingleCare coupon — GoodRx prices can be as low as $7.62 and SingleCare as low as $12.35, which is 60-70% off retail.

Request the smallest bottle if it's a single-use prescription — a 2 mL bottle is less expensive than a 15 mL bottle.

Finding Cyclogyl during a shortage takes a little more effort, but with the right tools, it's absolutely doable. Let medfinder do the calling for you — visit medfinder.com to get started.