Muro 128 has been hard to find at pharmacies. Learn why this corneal edema treatment is in short supply and what you can do to get it in 2026.
You go to the pharmacy, prescription in hand, and hear the same frustrating words: "We don't have that in stock right now." If you rely on Muro 128 to manage corneal edema, you've probably experienced this more than once in recent years. And it's not your imagination — Muro 128 has genuinely been harder to find.
In this post, we'll explain what Muro 128 is, why it's been so difficult to get, and — most importantly — what steps you can take right now to find it.
Muro 128 is the brand name for Sodium Chloride Hypertonicity Ophthalmic solution and ointment, made by Bausch + Lomb. It comes in two concentrations — 2% and 5% — and is used to temporarily relieve swelling of the cornea (the clear front surface of your eye). This condition is known as corneal edema.
The medication works through osmosis: the hypertonic (extra-salty) solution draws excess water out of the swollen cornea, reducing puffiness and temporarily improving your vision. Muro 128 is available as eye drops and as an ointment, with the ointment typically used at bedtime for longer-lasting relief.
Doctors who prescribe Muro 128 include ophthalmologists, optometrists, and sometimes primary care providers. It's commonly used after eye surgeries like cataract removal or LASIK, and for ongoing conditions like Fuchs' dystrophy that cause chronic corneal swelling.
There isn't one single reason Muro 128 is hard to find — it's a combination of factors that have created a persistent availability problem. Here are the main ones:
Bausch + Lomb, the primary manufacturer of Muro 128, has faced production challenges over the past several years. Ophthalmic products require sterile manufacturing environments with strict quality controls. Any disruption — equipment maintenance, facility upgrades, raw material shortages — can slow production for weeks or months. These issues have been especially acute for the 5% ointment formulation, which has seen the most frequent shortages.
Unlike common medications that are produced by dozens of generic manufacturers, hypertonic sodium chloride ophthalmic products have a very small number of makers. When the primary manufacturer can't keep up with demand, there aren't many alternatives to fill the gap. This concentrated market makes the supply fragile.
As the population ages, more people are developing conditions like Fuchs' dystrophy and undergoing eye surgeries that require post-operative corneal edema management. The growing number of patients who need Muro 128 puts additional pressure on an already strained supply.
Because Muro 128 is a relatively niche product, not every pharmacy keeps it on the shelf. Large chain pharmacies may only stock it at certain locations, and when supply is limited, they may prioritize higher-volume stores. This can make it feel impossible to find in some areas, even when the national supply isn't completely exhausted.
The good news is that Muro 128 isn't completely unavailable — it just takes some extra effort to track down. Here's what you can do:
Tools like Medfinder let you search for Muro 128 availability at pharmacies near you in real time. Instead of calling pharmacy after pharmacy, you can check stock from your phone or computer. This is the fastest way to find out who actually has it.
Independent pharmacies often have more flexibility in their ordering and may carry products that chain pharmacies don't prioritize. Compounding pharmacies can sometimes prepare hypertonic sodium chloride solutions if commercial products are unavailable. Ask your doctor if a compounded version would work for your situation.
If you simply can't find Muro 128, talk to your eye doctor. There are alternative hypertonic saline products that may work for you, including generic sodium chloride 5% drops and other branded options. Your doctor can help you find a suitable substitute.
If you use Muro 128 regularly, don't wait until you're completely out to refill. Try to refill your prescription when you have about a week's supply left. This gives you time to search for it if your usual pharmacy is out of stock.
Cost can also be a barrier. If price is part of the problem, check out our guide on how to save money on Muro 128 for coupons, discount cards, and patient assistance programs.
Muro 128 shortages have been a real headache for patients with corneal edema, but the situation isn't hopeless. By using tools like Medfinder, exploring alternative pharmacies, and staying in close communication with your eye doctor, you can improve your chances of keeping this important medication in your medicine cabinet.
For the latest information on Muro 128 availability, check out our 2026 shortage update. And if you're a provider looking for resources, see our provider's guide to helping patients find Muro 128.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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