Flumetasone pivalate (Locorten-Vioform) ear drops: Supply issue
Locorten-Vioform ear drops (Pharmacode 259799) will be out of stock until at least August 2026.
Affected product
The manufacturer of this product is making changes to their processes and the source of the active ingredient. They anticipate the ear drops will be unavailable from March until at least August 2026.
- Chemical: Flumetasone pivalate with clioquinol
- Presentation: Ear drops Flumetasone pivalate 0.02% with clioquinol 1%
- Brand: Locorten-Vioform
- Pharmacode: 259799
Schedule listing for Locorten-Vioform(external link)
Alternative product
We received advice that Kenacomb brand ear drops can be a suitable alternative where Locorten-Vioform ear drops are not available. They are a Medsafe-registered product. People will need a new prescription.
- Chemical: Triamcinolone acetonide with gramicidin, neomycin and nystatin
- Brand: Kenacomb
- Pharmacode: 253634
- Supplier: Aspen
Schedule listing for Kenacomb(external link)
Prescribers may also like to consider Sofradex as an alternative, however, it is only partially funded.
Schedule listing for Sofradex(external link)
Information for health care professionals
We appreciate that it is not always easy to change patients onto different medicines and apologise for any inconvenience caused to you and your patients as a result of this change.
Locorten-Vioform monograph – NZ Formulary(external link)
- General Supply Issue A5 Flier [PDF 111 KB]
People who use Locorton-Vioform eardrops
If you have a prescription for Locorton-Vioform ear drops and none are available, you will need a new prescription for an alternative product.
We're sorry, we know supply issues can be disruptive. We appreciate your patience.
Who to contact
If you have questions about this issue, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz
Please include as much information as you can about the product (presentation, brand, pharmacode) and who your wholesaler is.
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