Finding Natamycin Shouldn't Be This Hard — But Here's How to Do It

If your doctor just prescribed Natamycin (brand name Natacyn) for a fungal eye infection, you may already be discovering how hard it is to find. Unlike common antibiotics or everyday eye drops, Natamycin is a specialty antifungal medication that most pharmacies simply don't carry. But with the right approach, you can locate it — often faster than you'd expect.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the most effective tools and strategies for finding Natamycin in stock near you.

Why Is Natamycin Hard to Find in the First Place?

Before diving into solutions, it helps to understand the problem. Natamycin is the only FDA-approved antifungal eye drop in the United States. It's manufactured solely by Alcon Laboratories under the brand name Natacyn, and there's no generic available. Fungal eye infections are uncommon, so most retail pharmacies don't keep it in stock. The cash price of $250 to $600 per bottle also discourages pharmacies from stocking it speculatively.

For a deeper look at why this medication is so hard to track down, see our post on why Natamycin is so hard to find.

Tip 1: Use Medfinder to Search Pharmacy Availability

The single most efficient way to find Natamycin near you is to use Medfinder. Medfinder lets you search for medications by name and location, showing you which pharmacies currently have your prescription in stock. Instead of spending hours calling pharmacies one by one, you can get real-time availability information in seconds.

This is especially valuable for niche medications like Natamycin, where only a handful of pharmacies in your area may carry it at any given time.

How to Use Medfinder

1. Go to medfinder.com
2. Type "Natamycin" or "Natacyn" in the search bar
3. Enter your zip code or allow location access
4. View nearby pharmacies with current stock information

For a complete walkthrough, read our guide on how to check if a pharmacy has Natamycin in stock.

Tip 2: Call Independent and Specialty Pharmacies

While chain pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens rarely stock Natamycin, independent pharmacies and specialty ophthalmic pharmacies are much more likely to have it or be able to get it quickly. Here's why:

• Independent pharmacies often have more flexible ordering capabilities and may be willing to special-order Natamycin for you, sometimes getting it within 24-48 hours.
• Specialty pharmacies that focus on eye care medications frequently stock Natamycin because it's a critical drug for their patient base.
• Hospital outpatient pharmacies, especially at academic medical centers with ophthalmology departments, are among the most reliable sources.

When calling, ask specifically: "Do you have Natacyn (Natamycin 5% ophthalmic suspension) in stock, or can you order it? How long would it take to arrive?"

Tip 3: Time Your Search Strategically

Believe it or not, when you call or visit a pharmacy can affect your chances of success:

• Call early in the week (Monday or Tuesday morning). Pharmacies restock during the week, and orders placed early have the best chance of arriving by mid-week.
• Avoid calling during peak hours (lunch time, late afternoon). Pharmacists are more likely to take the time to check their system and call their wholesaler when they're not rushed.
• Ask about ordering during off-peak times. A pharmacist who isn't juggling a line of customers is more likely to go the extra mile to help you track down a specialty medication.

Tip 4: Ask Your Ophthalmologist for a Direct Referral

Ophthalmologists who regularly treat fungal keratitis usually know exactly which pharmacies in the area stock Natamycin. Don't hesitate to call your doctor's office and ask:

• "Which pharmacy do you recommend for filling Natamycin prescriptions?"
• "Do you have any samples I can use while I locate a pharmacy with stock?"
• "Can your office send the prescription directly to a specialty pharmacy?"

Many ophthalmology practices have established relationships with one or two specialty pharmacies specifically for drugs like Natamycin.

Tip 5: Consider Mail-Order Specialty Pharmacies

If you can't find Natamycin locally, mail-order specialty pharmacies are a reliable option. These pharmacies specialize in hard-to-find medications and can ship directly to your home or doctor's office. Shipping typically takes one to two business days.

Your ophthalmologist can send the prescription electronically to a mail-order specialty pharmacy. Some insurance plans may even prefer this route for specialty medications.

What If You Still Can't Find Natamycin?

If you've tried all of the above and Natamycin is still unavailable, here are your next steps:

Talk to Your Doctor About Compounded Alternatives

Your ophthalmologist can prescribe compounded antifungal eye drops as a temporary or long-term alternative. Common options include:

• Voriconazole 1% eye drops — a broad-spectrum antifungal effective against many of the same fungi
• Amphotericin B 0.15-0.5% eye drops — another polyene antifungal, similar mechanism to Natamycin

These are prepared by compounding pharmacies and are not FDA-approved for ophthalmic use, but they are widely used in clinical practice. Read more in our post on alternatives to Natamycin.

Check for Shortage Updates

Natamycin has experienced periodic supply disruptions. If availability seems unusually tight, check the Natamycin shortage update to understand the current situation and what's being done about it.

Final Thoughts

Finding Natamycin takes more effort than most prescriptions, but it's almost always possible with the right approach. Start with Medfinder to get a quick picture of local availability, call specialty and independent pharmacies, and lean on your ophthalmologist's network. If all else fails, compounded alternatives can bridge the gap while you wait for supply.

The key is to act quickly — fungal eye infections require prompt treatment, and the sooner you start Natamycin, the better your outcome is likely to be.