PlainMeds provides educational information only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Active Shortage Insert Ophthalmology

Hydroxypropyl Cellulose (1600000 Wamw) Insert

Brand: LACRISERT

This drug is currently listed as in shortage by the FDA. Affected manufacturer: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated.

Active FDA Drug Shortage

Contact your pharmacist if you are affected. They can check availability from other manufacturers or suggest alternatives.

Shortage Details

Generic Name
Hydroxypropyl Cellulose (1600000 Wamw) Insert
Manufacturer
Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
Dosage Form
Insert
Presentation
Lacrisert, Insert, 5 mg (NDC 24208-800-60)
Package NDC
24208-800-60

Status & Timeline

Status
Active Shortage
Availability
Unavailable
First Reported
May 1, 2020
Last Updated
Nov 17, 2025
Therapeutic Category
Ophthalmology

Shortage Reason

Discontinuation of the manufacture of the drug

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Hydroxypropyl in shortage?
According to FDA data: Discontinuation of the manufacture of the drug
What can I do if my medication is in shortage?
Contact your pharmacist — they can check availability across suppliers or suggest an equivalent from a different manufacturer. Your prescriber may also recommend a therapeutic substitute from the same drug class.
How often is this data updated?
Shortage data comes from the FDA Drug Shortages Database via openFDA. The database is updated regularly as manufacturers report changes to the FDA.

What This Hydroxypropyl Shortage Record Means

The FDA Drug Shortages database lists this record for Hydroxypropyl Cellulose (1600000 Wamw) Insert (brand: LACRISERT) from Bausch & Lomb Incorporated with a current status of Active Shortage. The affected dosage form is Insert, presented as Lacrisert, Insert, 5 mg (NDC 24208-800-60). Shortages are tracked at the manufacturer and presentation level — other manufacturers or formulations of the same generic may remain available, which is why pharmacists often can source a working substitute even when one record is flagged.

This shortage was first reported on May 1, 2020 and was last updated Nov 17, 2025. The FDA cites the following reason: Discontinuation of the manufacture of the drug. No other current shortage records match this generic in the database, which can signal that either the disruption is contained to one manufacturer or other suppliers have not yet formally reported a shortfall.

A shortage listing is a supply-side signal, not a patient-level instruction. Access can vary dramatically by pharmacy, region, hospital system, and insurance formulary — local pharmacists have real-time visibility that a national database cannot provide. Therapeutic substitutes often exist in the same class, but switching decisions belong with your prescriber, who weighs efficacy, dosing conversion, interaction profile, and personal history. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational reference only and is not medical advice. If your medication is affected, contact your pharmacist and prescriber to plan an appropriate response.

Disclaimer: This information comes from the FDA Drug Shortages Database and is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Do not stop or change any medication without consulting your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Shortage status can change rapidly — always verify current availability with your pharmacist.