Finding Natacyn Shouldn't Be This Hard

Your doctor prescribed Natacyn (Natamycin) for a fungal eye infection, and now you're discovering that finding it in stock is a challenge. Because Natacyn is the only FDA-approved antifungal eye drop in the U.S. and most pharmacies don't routinely carry it, patients often spend hours calling around with no luck.

The good news: there are smarter ways to search. This guide walks you through three proven strategies to find Natacyn in stock near you, plus what to do if you still come up empty.

Tip 1: Use Medfinder to Search Pharmacy Inventory

Instead of calling pharmacy after pharmacy, use Medfinder to check which pharmacies near you have Natacyn available right now.

Medfinder searches across pharmacy networks to show you real-time stock information for hard-to-find medications like Natacyn. Here's how to use it:

1. Go to medfinder.com
2. Search for "Natacyn" or "Natamycin"
3. Enter your zip code
4. See which pharmacies near you have it available

This is the fastest way to avoid wasted phone calls and get your medication sooner. Medfinder is especially helpful for specialty medications that most pharmacies don't stock.

Tip 2: Try Independent and Specialty Pharmacies

Large chain pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid) focus on high-volume medications. Natacyn, with its limited patient base, rarely makes their regular inventory. Instead, try:

• Hospital-affiliated pharmacies — These often stock specialty ophthalmic drugs because they serve ophthalmology departments
• Independent pharmacies — Smaller pharmacies are often more flexible about ordering specialty medications and may already serve ophthalmology patients in your area
• Compounding pharmacies — If Natacyn itself is unavailable, compounding pharmacies can prepare alternative antifungal eye drops like Voriconazole 1% or Amphotericin B drops

When you call, ask specifically: "Do you have Natacyn (Natamycin 5% ophthalmic suspension) in stock, or can you order it for next-day delivery?"

Tip 3: Ask Your Ophthalmologist's Office Directly

Many ophthalmologists know that Natacyn is hard to find at retail pharmacies, so they keep it in their office. Before you start searching pharmacies, call your doctor's office and ask:

• Do you dispense Natacyn directly from your office?
• Do you have a preferred pharmacy that stocks it?
• Can you call ahead to a pharmacy to have it ordered for me?

Ophthalmology offices that treat fungal keratitis regularly often have established supply channels that patients don't know about.

What If You Still Can't Find Natacyn?

If none of the above strategies work, you still have options:

Ask About Compounded Alternatives

Your ophthalmologist may prescribe a compounded alternative like Voriconazole or Amphotericin B eye drops. These aren't FDA-approved ophthalmic formulations, but they are widely used in clinical practice for fungal eye infections.

Contact Alcon Directly

The manufacturer, Alcon Laboratories, may be able to help locate stock. Call 1-800-757-9195 and ask about product availability in your region.

Check Mail-Order and Specialty Pharmacies

Some specialty mail-order pharmacies carry Natacyn and can ship it to you, sometimes overnight. This may be especially useful if you live in a rural area.

Explore Financial Assistance

If cost is a barrier, check out our guide on how to save money on Natacyn, including patient assistance programs and discount options.

How to Check If a Pharmacy Has Natacyn Before You Go

To save time, always verify stock before making the trip. You can:

• Use Medfinder for instant availability checks
• Call the pharmacy directly and ask for the pharmacy department (not the front desk)
• Ask them to check their wholesaler for next-day availability if it's not on the shelf

For more detailed advice, read our guide on how to check if a pharmacy has Natacyn in stock.

Final Thoughts

Natacyn is a critical medication for treating fungal eye infections, and finding it shouldn't delay your treatment. Here's your action plan:

1. Start with Medfinder to check real-time availability
2. Call specialty and independent pharmacies before chains
3. Ask your ophthalmologist — they may dispense it directly
4. Have a backup plan with compounded alternatives

Fungal eye infections can worsen quickly without treatment, so act fast and use every tool available to you. Don't wait — start your search on Medfinder today.