This is the HPRA’s latest weekly update on medicines shortages. We publish this information each week to keep patients and healthcare professionals informed of current and resolved shortages.
We recognise that medicine shortages can be challenging for those who rely on medicines for their health and well-being. It is the case that for many medicines supplied in Ireland, there is more than one strength, form, pack size or brand available from different suppliers.
Your doctor or pharmacist will often be able to supply an alternative strength, form or product to ensure continuity of treatment if the medicine you have been taking is unavailable.
Resolved shortages
The following shortages have been resolved and supply has resumed to the Irish market:
| Product
| Active Ingredient(s) |
| Amoxicilin 250mg/5ml Powder for Oral Solution PA0126/282/004 Clonmel Healthcare Ltd | Amoxicillin |
| Azarga 10mg/ml + 5mg/ml Eye Drop Suspension EU/1/08/482/001 Novartis Europharm Limited | Timolol maleate & Brinzolamide |
| Benylin Non-Drowsy Dry Coughs, Syrup PA0330/025/001 Johnson & Johnson (Ireland) Limited | Dextromethorphan |
| Ceftazidime 2g Powder for solution for Injection or Infusion PA0281/224/002 Pinewood Laboratories Ltd | Ceftazidime |
| Epanutin 25mg Hard Capsules PA23055/003/001 Upjohn EESV | Phenytoin |
| Levobupivacaine 2.5mg/ml Solution for Injection/Infusion PA2059/009/003 Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH | Levobupivacaine |
| Levobupivacaine 5mg/ml Solution for Injection/Infusion PA2059/009/004 Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH | Levobupivacaine |
| Levobupivacaine 7.5mg/mL Solution for Injection/Infusion PA2059/009/005 Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH | Levobupivacaine |
| Luveris 75IU, Powder and Solvent for Solution for Injection EU/1/00/155/004 Merck Europe B.V. | Lutropin alfa |
| Metoclopramide 5mg/ml Solution for Injection PA0073/084/001 Mercury Pharmaceuticals (Ireland) Ltd | Metoclopramide |
| Morphine Sulphate 10mg/ml Solution for Injection PA0073/020/001 Ethypharm | Morphine |
| Oramox 250mg/5ml Powder for Oral Suspension PA0298/019/002 Athlone Laboratories Ltd | Amoxicillin |
| Phenergan 25mg Film-Coated Tablets PA23180/011/002 Opella Healthcare France SAS T/A Sanofi | Promethazine |
| Pinamox 250mg/5 ml Powder for Oral Suspension PA0298/010/002 Athlone Laboratories Ltd | Amoxicillin |
| Roaccutane 10mg Soft Capsules PA2307/007/001 Roche Products (Ireland) Ltd | Isotretinoin |
| Travocort 0.1 + 1% w/w Cream PA1025/012/001 LEO Pharma A/S | Diflucortolone & isoconazole |
| Vimpat 10mg/ml Syrup EU/1/08/470/018 UCB Pharma GmbH | Lacosamide |
| Zithromax Powder for Oral Suspension 200 g/5ml PA0822/191/002 Pfizer Healthcare Ireland | Azithromycin |
Newly notified shortages
The HPRA has been notified of a shortage of the following products:
| Product
| Active Ingredient(s) |
| Akineton 2mg Tablets PA1253/001/001 Laboratorio Farmaceutico S.I.T. | Biperiden |
| Artelac Preservative Free Single Dose Unit PA23259/004/002 Bausch + Lomb Ireland Limited | Hypromellose |
| Azyter 15mg/g Eye Drops PA1107/004/001 Laboratoires Thea | Azithromycin |
| Catapres Ampoules 150mcg in 1ml Solution for Injection PA2256/002/001 Glenwood GmbH | Clonidine |
| Colofac 135mg Tablets PA2010/007/001 Mylan IRE Healthcare Limited | Mebeverine |
| Difene 25mg Capsules PA2256/001/001 Glenwood GmbH | Diclofenac |
| Leucovorin-Teva 10mg/ml Concentrate for Solution for Infusion PA0749/001/001 Teva Pharma B.V. | Folinic acid |
| Minims Proxymetacaine hydrochloride 0.5% w/v, Eye Drops, Solution PA23259/020/001 Bausch + Lomb Ireland Limited | Proxymetacaine |
| Mirap 15mg Film Coated Tablets PA0711/062/001 Rowex Ltd | Mirtazapine |
| Neurontin 100mg Capsules PA23055/004/001 Upjohn EESV | Gabapentin |
| Nurofen for Children Six Plus Orange 200 mg/5ml Oral Suspension (200ml presentation only) PA0979/056/001 Reckitt Benckiser Ireland Ltd | Ibuprofen |
| Olmesartan medoxomil 10mg Film Coated Tablets PA0577/214/001 McDermott Laboratories Ltd., T/A Gerard Laboratories | Olmesartan |
| Primacine 250mg/5ml Granules for Oral Suspension PA0281/026/008 Pinewood Laboratories Ltd | Erythromycin |
| Simbrinza Eye Drops EU/1/14/933/001 Novartis Europharm Limited | Brinzolamide & brimonidine |
| Trandate 100mg Film Coated Tablets PA1638/006/002 RPH Pharmaceuticals AB | Labetalol |
| Xermelo 250mg Film Coated Tablets EU/1/17/1224/001 Serb S.A.S. | Telotristat |
| Zovirax IV for Infusion 250mg, Powder for Solution for Infusion PA1077/084/003 GlaxoSmithKline (Ireland) Limited | Aciclovir |
Please see the shortages section of the HPRA website for further information
The HPRA sends weekly updates concerning medicinal product shortages. However, the above webpage will be updated as new information is provided to the HPRA.