Finding Trifluridine Shouldn't Be This Hard

When your ophthalmologist prescribes Trifluridine for a herpes simplex eye infection, the last thing you want to hear is "we don't have it in stock." But that's exactly what many patients are dealing with in 2026. Trifluridine (brand name Viroptic) is a specialized antiviral eye drop, and its limited availability means you may need to do some legwork to fill your prescription.

The good news? With the right tools and strategies, you can find Trifluridine faster than you think. Here's how.

Tip 1: Use Medfinder to Check Real-Time Availability

The single most effective thing you can do is use Medfinder to search for pharmacies near you that have Trifluridine in stock right now. Instead of calling pharmacy after pharmacy, Medfinder lets you check availability across multiple locations in seconds.

Here's how it works:

1. Go to medfinder.com
2. Search for "Trifluridine" or "Viroptic"
3. Enter your zip code
4. See which nearby pharmacies currently have it available

This saves you hours of phone calls and the stress of driving from pharmacy to pharmacy.

Tip 2: Try Independent and Specialty Pharmacies

When chain pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens are out of stock, independent pharmacies can be a lifeline. Here's why:

• Different wholesalers: Independent pharmacies often work with different drug distributors than the big chains, which means they may have access to stock that chain pharmacies don't.
• Specialty focus: Pharmacies near ophthalmology practices or eye hospitals are more likely to keep Trifluridine in stock because they serve more patients who need it.
• Willingness to special order: Independent pharmacists are often more flexible about placing special orders directly with manufacturers or secondary wholesalers.

Don't overlook hospital outpatient pharmacies either. Because hospitals treat eye emergencies, their pharmacies are more likely to maintain a supply of Trifluridine.

Tip 3: Time Your Search Strategically

Pharmacy inventory levels change throughout the week. Here are some timing tips:

• Call early in the week: Most pharmacies receive their main deliveries on Monday through Wednesday. Calling on these days gives you the best chance of catching new stock.
• Call in the morning: Pharmacists are typically less busy in the morning and more able to check their inventory carefully or make calls to their wholesaler on your behalf.
• Ask about expected shipments: If a pharmacy doesn't have Trifluridine today, ask when their next delivery is expected. They may be able to tell you if it's on order.

What If You Still Can't Find Trifluridine?

If you've tried the tips above and still can't locate Trifluridine, here are additional options:

• Ask your doctor about alternatives: Ganciclovir ophthalmic gel 0.15% (Zirgan) is another FDA-approved treatment for herpetic keratitis and may be easier to find. Read more in our guide on alternatives to Trifluridine.
• Contact a compounding pharmacy: Some compounding pharmacies can prepare Trifluridine ophthalmic solution. Your doctor would need to write a specific prescription for this.
• Expand your search radius: If pharmacies in your immediate area are out of stock, try searching within a wider radius on Medfinder. A pharmacy 30 minutes away may have what you need.
• Have your doctor's office help: Ophthalmology offices often know which pharmacies in the area reliably stock Trifluridine. They may also have starter samples to get you through while you search.

Tips for Next Time

If you have a recurring condition like herpes simplex keratitis, planning ahead can save you from future headaches:

• Ask your ophthalmologist to write a refill prescription before you run out
• Identify two or three pharmacies that carry Trifluridine and keep their numbers handy
• Sign up for stock alerts on Medfinder

Final Thoughts

Finding Trifluridine in 2026 can be challenging, but you have more options than you might think. Start with Medfinder to check real-time availability, branch out to independent pharmacies, and don't hesitate to ask your ophthalmologist for help.

For more information, check out our related guides:

• Why is Trifluridine so hard to find?
• Trifluridine shortage update for 2026
• How to save money on Trifluridine