Muro 128: A Complete Guide for Patients

Muro 128 is a hypertonic sodium chloride eye medication used to temporarily relieve corneal edema (swelling of the cornea). It works by drawing excess water out of the cornea through osmosis, which helps reduce swelling and temporarily improve vision. It is made by Bausch + Lomb and is available as eye drops (2% and 5%) and as an ointment (5%).

What Is Muro 128?

Muro 128 is the brand name for hypertonic sodium chloride ophthalmic solution and ointment. "Hypertonic" means it has a higher salt concentration than your natural tears. This higher concentration is what makes it effective at pulling water out of swollen corneal tissue.

It belongs to a class of medications called hypertonicity ophthalmic agents. It is not a controlled substance and does not require prior authorization from most insurance plans.

Muro 128 comes in three formulations:

• 2% ophthalmic solution (drops) — milder concentration, sometimes available OTC
• 5% ophthalmic solution (drops) — stronger concentration, most commonly prescribed
• 5% ophthalmic ointment — thicker formulation, often used at bedtime

What Is Muro 128 Used For?

Muro 128 is FDA-approved for the temporary relief of corneal edema. Corneal edema happens when excess fluid builds up in the cornea — the clear, dome-shaped front surface of the eye. This swelling can cause:

• Blurry or cloudy vision, especially in the morning
• Halos or glare around lights
• Eye discomfort or a feeling of pressure

Common conditions that cause corneal edema include:

• Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy — a progressive condition where cells on the inner corneal layer gradually die off
• Post-surgical swelling — after cataract surgery, LASIK, or corneal transplant
• Bullous keratopathy — blisters on the corneal surface due to fluid buildup

For a detailed explanation of how Muro 128 reduces swelling, see our guide on how Muro 128 works.

How Is Muro 128 Taken?

How you use Muro 128 depends on which formulation you're prescribed:

Eye Drops (2% or 5%)

1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
2. Tilt your head back and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket.
3. Hold the dropper above your eye and squeeze 1-2 drops into the pocket.
4. Close your eyes gently for 1-2 minutes. Avoid blinking hard or rubbing your eyes.
5. Repeat every 3-4 hours, or as directed by your doctor.

Ointment (5%)

1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
2. Pull down your lower eyelid.
3. Apply a thin ribbon of ointment inside the lower eyelid.
4. Close your eyes and roll your eyeball gently to spread the ointment.
5. Use once or twice daily, typically at bedtime since it will blur your vision temporarily.

Important tips:

• Do not touch the dropper tip or ointment tube to your eye or any surface.
• Wait at least 5 minutes between different eye medications.
• Remove contact lenses before using Muro 128.

Who Should Not Take Muro 128?

Muro 128 has very few contraindications, but you should not use it if:

• You are allergic to sodium chloride or any ingredient in the formulation
• Your doctor has told you not to use hypertonic saline products

Use with caution and talk to your doctor if:

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding (Pregnancy Category C)
• You are giving it to a child (safety not well established in children)
• You have other eye conditions or are using other eye medications

For more on potential interactions with other medications, read our guide on Muro 128 drug interactions.

How Much Does Muro 128 Cost?

Muro 128 is relatively affordable compared to many prescription eye medications:

• Brand-name Muro 128: $15-$35 per bottle or box, depending on formulation and concentration
• Generic sodium chloride 5% ophthalmic: $10-$25

Insurance often covers Muro 128 with a low copay. Some plans may classify it as an OTC product and not cover it. Prior authorization is generally not required.

If cost is a concern, check out our guide on coupons, discounts, and patient assistance for Muro 128.

Final Thoughts

Muro 128 is a well-established, affordable treatment for corneal edema. It's simple to use, has relatively mild side effects (learn more in our side effects guide), and is available in several formulations to fit your needs.

If you're having trouble finding Muro 128 at your local pharmacy, MedFinder can help you locate it in stock near you.