Maxidex – which is “indicated for the treatment of non-infectious inflammatory conditions affecting the anterior segment of the eye” – is in short supply due to a manufacturing issue, the DH said in a supply disruption alert issued today (June 25).

While there are alternatives to “support an uplift in demand”, the manufacturer Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK will be supplying the remaining stock of Maxidex “directly to customers on an allocation basis”.

This will be “based on factors such as prescriptions held, stock availability and order history”, according to the DH alert.

However, the DH added that the remaining supply of Maxidex 0.1% eye drops “will not meet national demand” and patients on long-term Maxidex will need to be offered an alternative.

A spokesperson for Novartis told C+D today that it “expects delays to stock” ​from the end of June “due to a standard site transfer change”.

It anticipates supply to return to normal levels “within four weeks” from that point.

Advice for healthcare professionals

The DH has advised healthcare professionals against initiating new patients on Maxidex.

They should also identify patients with insufficient supplies until the resupply date and consider whether they need to be switched to an alternative preparation.

The following dexamethasone 0.1% preservative-free products can be used as an alternative:

• Dexafree (dexamethasone) 1mg/1ml eye drops 0.4ml unit dose – Thea Pharmaceuticals LTD
• Dropodex (dexamethasone) 0.1% eye drops 0.4ml unit dose – Rayner Pharmaceuticals LTD
• Minims dexamethasone 0.1% eye drops 0.5ml unit dose – Bausch & Lomb (UK) LTD
• Eythalm (dexamethasone) 1mg/ml eye drops 6ml – Aspire Pharma LTD

Alternative available steroid eye drops:

• Betnesol (betamethasone) 0.1% eye drops 10ml – RPH Pharmaceuticals AB
• Vistamethasone (betamethasone) 0.1% eye drops 5ml and 10ml – Martindale Pharmaceuticals LTD
• Pred Forte (prednisolone) 1% eye drops 5ml and 10ml – Allergan LTD

Maxidex 10ml pack size has recently been discontinued and is no longer available.