Look up one drug

Ontario coverage, price, criteria word for word, Health Canada status and shortages for one product

Patient plan: look up a medication list

METHYLCELLULOSE

Form:

2 of 2 products shown

All products: Limited Use (codes 49)

Other products in the same Health Canada class (S01XA) — coverage varies; not interchangeable

  • Mineral oil + petrolatum (Lacri-Lube): limited Use
  • Polyvinyl alcohol (Liquifilm Tears): limited Use
  • Polyvinyl alcohol + polyvinylpyrrolidone (Tears Plus): limited Use

Isopto Tears · DIN 00000809 · 0.5% · Oph Sol

Limited Use — Reason for Use code 49 requiredMarketed · checked 2026-09-02
StatusLimited Use — Reason for Use code 49 required
Write on scriptLU code 49 (patient must meet the criteria below)
Patient paysPatient pays: program not supplied; amount cannot be determined.
Private plan unknown: ask. If yes, check its coverage and payer coordination; if no, see the public routes below.
Ontario Limited Use criteria — code 49
Reason for Use code 49 For patients with objective evidence of keratoconjunctivitis sicca as confirmed by filamentary keratopathy on slit lamp examination or biopsy. Coverage limit: LU Authorization Period: Indefinite
No interchangeable product listed in the Ontario extract
Isopto Tears · DIN 00000809 Manufacturer: Alcon Canada Inc.; listing date 1996-10-01 Health Canada: Marketed since 2023-04-19 · brand ALCON TEARS 0.5% · ATC S01XA20 ARTIFICIAL TEARS AND OTHER INDIFFERENT PREPARATIONS. · form Solution · route Ophthalmic · ingredients HYPROMELLOSE 0.5 %/W/V · company Alcon canada inc · schedule Non-prescription drugs
Check this DIN again · Health Canada product record

Isopto Tears: Formulary list price $0.5454/unit (unit not stated in source; not the patient's cost)

Ministry pays: $0.5454 per source unit.

Source explanation: The formulary price is what ODB pays; the cash price at the counter is set by the pharmacy.

Formulary data: Ontario extract of Aug 26, 2026 · Health Canada DPD extract of Sep 2, 2026 (Open Government Licence – Canada) · https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/info?lang=eng&code=793 · Verify on the e-Formulary ↗ (DIN 00000809)

Source record
DIN 00000809: Isopto Tears Raw flags: sec12=Y, sec3=Y Item: 523600067; group id 634; item number 1603; lccId 00090; manufacturer id ALC Source form: Oph Sol; strength: 0.5% Recorded listing: Limited Use: paid only with a Reason for Use code and the criteria below Source prices (unrounded): $0.5454; ministry $0.5454 Source: ODB odb-formulary-ed43-extract-2026-08-26.xml extract_date=2026-08-26 DIN=00000809 Health Canada DPD extract of Sep 2, 2026 (Open Government Licence – Canada) · https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/info?lang=eng&code=793
Shortage status: no shortage or discontinuation reported (checked 2026-09-13T08:10:21.292534+00:00); reports as of 2026-09-13T08:10:21.292534+00:00 (Health Product Shortages Canada) Source: https://healthproductshortages.ca/search?term=00000809
Shortage record checked 2026-09-13T08:10:21.292534+00:00

Isopto Tears · DIN 00000817 · 1% · Oph-Sol

Limited Use — Reason for Use code 49 required; DIN status E (meaning unconfirmed); confirm discontinuation/availability with Health CanadaMarketed · checked 2026-09-02
StatusLimited Use — Reason for Use code 49 required; DIN status E (meaning unconfirmed); confirm discontinuation/availability with Health Canada
Write on scriptLU code 49 (patient must meet the criteria below); DIN status E (meaning unconfirmed); confirm discontinuation/availability with Health Canada
Patient paysPatient pays: program not supplied; amount cannot be determined.
Private plan unknown: ask. If yes, check its coverage and payer coordination; if no, see the public routes below.
Ontario Limited Use criteria — code 49
Reason for Use code 49 For patients with objective evidence of keratoconjunctivitis sicca as confirmed by filamentary keratopathy on slit lamp examination or biopsy. Coverage limit: LU Authorization Period: Indefinite
No interchangeable product listed in the Ontario extract
Isopto Tears · DIN 00000817 Manufacturer: Alcon Canada Inc.; listing date 1996-10-01 Health Canada: Marketed since 2023-04-19 · brand ALCON TEARS 1% · ATC S01XA20 ARTIFICIAL TEARS AND OTHER INDIFFERENT PREPARATIONS. · form Solution · route Ophthalmic · ingredients HYPROMELLOSE 1 %/W/V · company Alcon canada inc · schedule Non-prescription drugs
Check this DIN again · Health Canada product record

Isopto Tears: Formulary list price $0.5147/unit (unit not stated in source; not the patient's cost)

Ministry pays: $0.5147 per source unit.

Source explanation: The formulary price is what ODB pays; the cash price at the counter is set by the pharmacy.

Formulary data: Ontario extract of Aug 26, 2026 · Health Canada DPD extract of Sep 2, 2026 (Open Government Licence – Canada) · https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/info?lang=eng&code=794 · Verify on the e-Formulary ↗ (DIN 00000817)

Source record
The source extract's flag for this DIN is unclear — confirm on the e-Formulary before prescribing (DIN 00000817). DIN 00000817: Isopto Tears Raw flags: dinStatus=E, sec12=Y, sec3=Y Item: 523600068; group id 634; item number 1604; lccId 00090; manufacturer id ALC Source form: Oph-Sol; strength: 1% Recorded listing: Limited Use: paid only with a Reason for Use code and the criteria below; DIN status E, meaning unconfirmed Source prices (unrounded): $0.5147; ministry $0.5147 Source: ODB odb-formulary-ed43-extract-2026-08-26.xml extract_date=2026-08-26 DIN=00000817 Health Canada DPD extract of Sep 2, 2026 (Open Government Licence – Canada) · https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/info?lang=eng&code=794
Shortage status: no shortage or discontinuation reported (checked 2026-09-13T08:10:21.292534+00:00); reports as of 2026-09-13T08:10:21.292534+00:00 (Health Product Shortages Canada) Source: https://healthproductshortages.ca/search?term=00000817
Shortage record checked 2026-09-13T08:10:21.292534+00:00

DEXTRAN 70 & HYDROXYPROPYL METHYLCELLULOSE & POLYQUAD

All products: Limited Use (codes 49)

Other products in the same Health Canada class (S01XA) — coverage varies; not interchangeable

  • Mineral oil + petrolatum (Lacri-Lube): limited Use
  • Polyvinyl alcohol (Liquifilm Tears): limited Use
  • Polyvinyl alcohol + polyvinylpyrrolidone (Tears Plus): limited Use

Tears Naturale II · DIN 00743445 · 0.1%/0.3%/0.001% · Oph Sol

Limited Use — Reason for Use code 49 requiredMarketed · checked 2026-09-02
StatusLimited Use — Reason for Use code 49 required
Write on scriptLU code 49 (patient must meet the criteria below)
Patient paysPatient pays: program not supplied; amount cannot be determined.
Private plan unknown: ask. If yes, check its coverage and payer coordination; if no, see the public routes below.
Ontario Limited Use criteria — code 49
Reason for Use code 49 For patients with objective evidence of keratoconjunctivitis sicca as confirmed by filamentary keratopathy on slit lamp examination or biopsy. Coverage limit: LU Authorization Period: Indefinite
No interchangeable product listed in the Ontario extract
Tears Naturale II · DIN 00743445 Manufacturer: Alcon Canada Inc.; listing date 1996-10-01 Health Canada: Marketed since 2019-09-16 · brand TEARS NATURALE II · ATC S01XA20 ARTIFICIAL TEARS AND OTHER INDIFFERENT PREPARATIONS. · form Drops · route Ophthalmic · ingredients DEXTRAN 70 0.1 %/W/V, HYPROMELLOSE 0.3 %/W/V · company Alcon canada inc · schedule Non-prescription drugs
Check this DIN again · Health Canada product record

Tears Naturale II: Formulary list price $0.4647/unit (unit not stated in source; not the patient's cost)

Ministry pays: $0.4647 per source unit.

Source explanation: The formulary price is what ODB pays; the cash price at the counter is set by the pharmacy.

Formulary data: Ontario extract of Aug 26, 2026 · Health Canada DPD extract of Sep 2, 2026 (Open Government Licence – Canada) · https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/info?lang=eng&code=10032 · Verify on the e-Formulary ↗ (DIN 00743445)

Source record
DIN 00743445: Tears Naturale II Raw flags: sec12=Y, sec3=Y Item: 523600073; group id 621; item number 1588; lccId 00084; manufacturer id ALC Source form: Oph Sol; strength: 0.1%/0.3%/0.001% Recorded listing: Limited Use: paid only with a Reason for Use code and the criteria below Source prices (unrounded): $0.4647; ministry $0.4647 Source: ODB odb-formulary-ed43-extract-2026-08-26.xml extract_date=2026-08-26 DIN=00743445 Health Canada DPD extract of Sep 2, 2026 (Open Government Licence – Canada) · https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/info?lang=eng&code=10032
Shortage status: no shortage or discontinuation reported (checked 2026-09-13T08:10:21.292534+00:00); reports as of 2026-09-13T08:10:21.292534+00:00 (Health Product Shortages Canada) Source: https://healthproductshortages.ca/search?term=00743445
Shortage record checked 2026-09-13T08:10:21.292534+00:00
Other drugs in the same formulary class (52:36 Other Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Agents) and how they are covered

Matched class: 52:36 Other Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Agents

Drug-class inventory only. Lists recorded Ontario formulary products, not every Canadian medication; does not recommend treatment. Covered without a code on the Ontario formulary: BETAXOLOL HCL, DICLOFENAC SODIUM, LEVOBUNOLOL HCL Some products covered without a code (check the product listing): ACETAZOLAMIDE, METHAZOLAMIDE, SODIUM CROMOGLYCATE, TIMOLOL MALEATE 52:36 Other Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Agents

PETROLATUM/MINERAL OIL

· 2 products · Limited Use, codes 49 · strengths: 55% & 42.5%, 80%/20% · Oph Oint-3.5g Pk

POLYVINYL ALCOHOL

· 1 products · Limited Use, codes 49 · strengths: 1.4% · Oph-Sol

POLYVINYL ALCOHOL & POLYVINYLPYRROLIDONE

· 1 products · Limited Use, codes 49 · strengths: · Oph-Sol

ACETAZOLAMIDE

· 2 products · General benefit (1), Listed, not a benefit (1) · strengths: 250mg · Tab

BETAXOLOL HCL

· 1 products · General benefit · strengths: 0.25% · Oph Susp

DICLOFENAC SODIUM

· 6 products · General benefit · strengths: 0.1% · Oph Sol

LEVOBUNOLOL HCL

· 1 products · General benefit · strengths: 0.5% · Oph Sol

METHAZOLAMIDE

· 2 products · Listed, not a benefit (1), General benefit (1) · strengths: 50mg · Tab

SODIUM CROMOGLYCATE

· 2 products · General benefit (1), Listed, not a benefit (1) · strengths: 2% · Oph Sol

TIMOLOL MALEATE

· 10 products · Listed, not a benefit (2), General benefit (8) · strengths: 0.25%, 0.5% · Oph Gellan Sol, Oph Sol

AFLIBERCEPT

· 6 products · Limited Use, codes 729, 730, 731 (4), Limited Use, codes 694, 695 (2) · strengths: 2mg/0.05mL, 8mg/0.07mL · Inj Sol-0.05mL Pref Syr (Preservative-Free), Inj Sol-0.07mL Pref Syr, Inj Sol-0.07mL Vial Pk, Sol for Intravitreal Inj-0.05mL Vial Pk

BIMATOPROST

· 8 products · Listed, not a benefit (1), Limited Use, codes 171, 172, 387 (7) · strengths: 0.03%, 0.01% · Oph Sol, Oph Sol-5mL Pk, Oph Sol-7.5mL Pk Source: formulary-ed43-front-matter.txt Part V; ODB odb-formulary-ed43-extract-2026-08-26.xml extract_date=2026-08-26; class 52:36 and 19 more
Full class listing Related classes: 52:04 Anti-Infectives, 52:08 Anti-Inflammatory Agents, 52:16 Local Anesthetics, 52:20 Miotics, 52:24 Mydriatics, 52:32 Vasoconstrictors Same formulary class, not same indication: class membership alone does not establish equivalent uses.
What the Health Canada label says it is for
Product monograph unavailable: no link
What the Health Canada label says it is for
Product monograph unavailable: no link