I've been hearing from a lot of people who are concerned at not being able to find Refresh PM, or at least not for an accessible price.
Yes, Refresh PM as well as Refresh Lacri-Lube are on backorder at the manufacturer and have been for some months now, so the wholesalers are running out and many retailers are completely out.
Yes, the Amazon and eBay scalpers are out in force as usual.
Lacri-Lube is easier to find than Refresh PM.
No, so far as I know, neither product is being discontinued. I've learned the hard way not to be too adamant when I say that! Because, you know, that's what I said the first couple of times someone asked me if Unisol 4 was being discontinued, back in mid 2015. ("Of course not!" followed by a quick call to the manufacturer and then.... um... "Oh dear. I can't believe it but...") One never knows for sure, because of course, while we've been talking to Allergan frequently about this, if the product really were being discontinued, from past experience it seems likely that their sales staff might be the last ones to learn.
At any rate, I am ever so cautiously optimistic, emphasis on the optimistic, that Refresh PM and LacriLube are merely backordered, NOT on their way out.
Meantime, there ARE other ointments available, like Genteal Ointment and Systane Ointment. The only unique thing about Refresh PM is the proportion of petrolatum to mineral oil (57.3%:42.5%, versus 94%:3% in the Alcon ones). For many people, these details don't matter; for some, they do matter. (You know who you are.)
If you're not able to get Refresh PM at a reasonable price right now, my suggestions would be:
- Try the Genteal or Systane ones, esp. in combination with some kind of physical barrier at night (plastic wrap? sleep mask? moisture goggle? something anyway)
- Try Genteal Gel or a similar polymer gel, if other ointments don't agree. Gels dissolve rather than leaving greasy residue.
Rebecca
5 comments:
Since I can not get Lacri-Lube and it is the only thing that gets me through the night, I looked elsewhere and found Walmart’s brand, EQUATE PM 42.5% mineral oil and 57.3% white petrolatum as active ingredients. Inactive is lanolin alcohol. Lacri-Lube is 42.5%. Mineral oil and 56.8% white petrolatum. Inactive ingredient is lanolin alcochols and chlorobutanol. I asked the pharmacist and she gave the OK on this as a substitute. Cost was about $8.50.
I have used Refresh PM for years. No longer available. I have used Equate PM and it is not the same. Having trouble waking up with dry eye. Cannot find a substitute that works for Refresh PM.
I feel for you both - in the same predicament! Used lacri-lube for YEARS. My eye specialist recommended Muro 128 ointment or Duro Teats. Trying the Muro right now - a little burning sensation. And it is a white ointment, not clear. Will try the Duro tmrw. I also tried Bauche and Lombs ‘Soothe Night Time’ - quite sticky and sort of kept my eyes gooed shut! Is worrisome as I too completely rely on lacri-lube for a good sleep. Hope we get L.L. BACK SOON!!
I just emailed the manufacturer and they said that it was backordered to mid to late-May.
In Canada, this means that nothing is available that duplicates Lacrilube's formula.
Now on back order in Canada to October.. that could change again.
Post a Comment