If You've Been Told Your Pharmacy Doesn't Have Natamycin, You're Not Alone

You've just been diagnosed with a fungal eye infection, and your doctor prescribed Natamycin (brand name Natacyn). You head to the pharmacy, only to hear those frustrating words: "We don't have it in stock." If this sounds familiar, you're far from alone. Natamycin is one of the hardest prescription eye drops to track down in the United States, and patients across the country have been dealing with this challenge for years.

In this post, we'll explain exactly what Natamycin is, why it's so difficult to find, and — most importantly — what steps you can take to get the medication you need.

What Is Natamycin?

Natamycin is an antifungal eye drop used to treat fungal infections of the eye, including fungal keratitis (infection of the cornea), conjunctivitis, and blepharitis (eyelid infections). It's sold under the brand name Natacyn and is manufactured by Alcon Laboratories.

Natamycin belongs to a class of drugs called polyene antifungals. It works by binding to ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane, which causes the membrane to become leaky. This kills the fungus. It's the only FDA-approved topical antifungal eye drop in the United States, which makes it critically important for patients with these types of infections.

The medication comes as a 5% ophthalmic suspension in a 15 mL bottle. For fungal keratitis, doctors typically prescribe one drop every one to two hours initially, then reduce the frequency to six to eight times daily as the infection improves. Treatment usually lasts 14 to 21 days.

To learn more about how this medication works, check out our guide on how Natamycin works.

Why Is Natamycin So Hard to Find?

There are several reasons why Natamycin is consistently difficult to locate at pharmacies. Here are the main factors:

1. It's a Single-Source Brand Product

Natacyn is the only FDA-approved Natamycin ophthalmic product on the U.S. market. There is no generic version available. When there's only one manufacturer making a drug, any disruption in production — whether it's a raw material shortage, equipment issue, or quality control hold — can instantly create a supply gap across the entire country.

2. Very Small Patient Population

Fungal eye infections are relatively rare compared to bacterial eye infections. Because the number of patients who need Natamycin at any given time is small, pharmacies don't stock it routinely. Most retail pharmacies — including major chains like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid — simply don't keep it on their shelves because it would expire before anyone needs it.

3. Specialty Distribution Channels

Because of its niche use, Natamycin is often distributed through specialty pharmacies rather than standard retail pharmacies. This means even if your local pharmacy can order it, it may take several days to arrive. In urgent cases of fungal keratitis, this delay can be a real problem.

4. High Cost Limits Stocking

Natacyn can cost anywhere from $250 to $600 for a single 15 mL bottle without insurance. At that price point, pharmacies are reluctant to keep inventory that may not sell. The high cost also means some wholesalers carry limited quantities.

What You Can Do to Find Natamycin

If you're having trouble finding Natamycin, don't give up. Here are practical steps you can take:

Use Medfinder to Check Pharmacy Availability

Medfinder helps you search for pharmacies that currently have your medication in stock. Instead of calling pharmacy after pharmacy, you can check availability in your area with a single search. This is especially helpful for hard-to-find medications like Natamycin.

Ask Your Doctor's Office for Help

Ophthalmology offices that regularly treat fungal keratitis often have relationships with specialty pharmacies that stock Natamycin. Your doctor's office may be able to direct you to a pharmacy that has it or even have samples on hand for urgent situations.

Try Hospital Pharmacies and Academic Medical Centers

Large hospital pharmacies and university-affiliated eye centers are more likely to keep Natamycin in stock because they see a higher volume of fungal eye infection cases. If you're near an academic medical center, call their outpatient pharmacy.

Contact Specialty Pharmacies Directly

Specialty pharmacies that focus on ophthalmic medications are your best bet. They can often ship the medication directly to you or your doctor's office within one to two business days.

Consider Compounding Pharmacies as a Backup

In some cases, if Natacyn is truly unavailable, your doctor may work with a compounding pharmacy to prepare alternative antifungal eye drops, such as Voriconazole 1% or Amphotericin B 0.15%. These are not FDA-approved products but are widely used when Natamycin cannot be obtained. Learn more about alternatives in our post on alternatives to Natamycin.

What About Cost?

The high price of Natamycin is another barrier for many patients. Without insurance, you could pay $250 to $600 or more out of pocket. If cost is a concern, read our detailed guide on how to save money on Natamycin, which covers discount cards, patient assistance programs, and other options.

Final Thoughts

Natamycin is a uniquely important medication — it's the only FDA-approved antifungal eye drop available in the United States. But its single-source status, niche patient population, specialty distribution, and high cost all combine to make it one of the harder prescriptions to fill. The good news is that with the right tools and a little persistence, you can find it.

Start by searching Medfinder to check which pharmacies near you have Natamycin in stock right now. And if you're still struggling, talk to your ophthalmologist about next steps — they deal with this challenge regularly and can help guide you to a solution.