9/27/2023

Erythromycin Ophthalmic Ointment

Products Affected - Description

- Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment, Akorn, 0.5%, 1 gram tube, 50 count, NDC 17478-0070-31 - discontinued
- Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment, Akorn, 0.5%, 3.5 gram tube, 1 count, NDC 17478-0070-35 - discontinued
- Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment, Bausch Health, 0.5%, 3.5 gram tube, 1 count, NDC 24208-0910-55
- Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment, Padagis, 0.5%, 3.5 gram tube, 1 count, NDC 00574-4024-35

Reason for the Shortage

- Akorn has ceased operation in February 2023.
- Bausch Health did not provide a reason for the shortage.
- Padagis has erythromycin ophthalmic ointment available.

Available Products

- Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment, Bausch Health, 0.5%, 1 gram tube, 50 count, NDC 24208-0910-19
- Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment, Padagis, 0.5%, 1 gram tube, 50 count, NDC 00574-4024-50
- Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment, Padagis, 0.5%, 3.5 gram tube, 24 count, NDC 00574-4024-39

Estimated Resupply Dates

- Bausch Health has 0.5% erythromycin 3.5 gram tubes on back order and the company estimates a release date of early-October 2023.
- Padagis has 0.5% erythromycin 3.5 gram tubes in single count on a weekly allocation.

Alternative Agents & Management

- CDC recommends ceftriaxone given intravenously or intramuscularly as an alternative during this shortage. More details can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/drugnotices/erythromycin-ophthalmic.htm

Updated

Updated September 27, 2023 by Leslie Jensen, PharmD, Drug Information Specialist. Created July 8, 2022 by Michelle Wheeler, PharmD, Drug Information Specialist. © 2023, Drug Information Service, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.

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