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Anyone tried getting Azasite in Canada? I was told by my doc that it is not available in Canada.
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Yes, I know of Canadians who are getting Azasite through Health Canada. Your doctor must fill in the forms showing that you've already tried and failed with other treatments and, if you are worthy, you get Azasite (for free)!
I've also had prescriptions written for Azasite by my Canadian doctor which I take across the border and fill in WA State. I pay for this. It is not illegal.
There is also a compounding pharmacy in AB (http://www.scriptpharmacy.ca/). This info is from another DEZer:
The difference, I believe, is that Azasite is azithromycin in DuraSite vehicle (see this abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20689782).Azasite can be made using the injectable vial of Zithromax a source of pure powder ( STERILE) 5 or 10 ml amount can be compounded
If you get it compounded, it won't be in DuraSite.
Good luck. -
Thank you so much!!
Is the compounded form of azithromycin PF? My ophthalmologist said it was not available in Canada. Instead he wanted me to take Fucithalmic PF indefinately. I have come across a number of studies that have suggested that long term use is not necessarily safe. I don't believe I have any obvious evidence of infection, other than a bit of a frothy tear film, which is not necessarily due to bacteria. My doc was not willing to do a culture to see what bacteria was present. In any respect, it looks like azithromycin is the antibiotic of choice in MGD that is bacterial.
Thanks again for sharing all the good info. One other question, I believe you have had IPL done. Have you had probing done as well? I have been thinking about seeing Dr. Tseng or Dr. ****** about ocular surface assessment and gland probing. Would love to know what your experience or opinion are on the topic.Comment
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1) Azasite is not PF (contains BAK). Tankie posted in the past that you can get azithromycin compounded without BAK (see http://www.dryeyezone.com/talk/showt...6412#post66412).
I believe he uses the compounding pharmacy in AB that I mention above. You can call them.
It might also be good to check with Leiter's. They might have something PF. A list of their compounded drops is here: http://www.leiterrx.com/pharmacy/Price.pdf
2) As for "qualifying" for Azasite, Health Canada may balk until you try other "standard" treatments.
You can read about Tankie's travails getting Azasite through his Canadian ophthalmologist and Health Canada: http://www.dryeyezone.com/talk/showt...ght=#post62771
I know of other patients who had no trouble getting Azasite through their Canadian ophthalmologists. It's all about how he/she fills in the request form. There must be an art to it!
3) I bet if the AB compounding pharmacy can make azithromycin drops using Zithromax, then other compounding pharmacies can too. It's just a matter of any difficulty getting a PF (or just BAK-free) vehicle.
4) I'm not a big fan of culturing eyes. I had a full-blown intracanalicular plug "infection" (you could milk my puncta). I was swabbed 3 times. Each time nothing grew. I eventually insisted that the plugs be flushed. He used saline and then vigamox (an antibiotic drop). I was also given vigamox drops. It all cleared up in 2 days (with no return)!
5) I've had 4 IPL treatments with Dr. Friedman at Stanford Univ (using Dr. Toyos' protocol). Upon completion, no change in my TBUTs or in how my eyes feel.
6) I've had probing with ****** - all lids with steroids injected into the MGs. It was VERY expensive as I paid out-of-pocket (as you would). I will try to PM you with more details (give me a few days... it's long). In the end, no change in now my eyes feel.
In summary, I would say that LipiFlow is the least expensive, least invasive, least painful, best way to go out of those three MG treatments (i.e., above IPL and probing). Sorry about that!Comment
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If you can petition Health Canada to get it for free, I guess you still have to go to the states to fill the prescription. Has it helped you?Originally posted by spmcc View PostComment
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