What to do if your medication is in shortage

Finding out your medication is on the FDA shortage list is stressful. Here are the practical steps that usually help. None of this is medical advice - always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before changing anything.

1. Confirm with your pharmacist

The FDA list is a national supply record, not your pharmacy's shelf. A manufacturer listed as "Available" can still be out of stock locally, and a "Limited" drug may be sitting on your pharmacy's shelf right now. Call or visit your pharmacy and ask what they actually have.

2. Ask about alternatives

Pharmacists can often tell you about:

• Generic equivalents - the same drug from a different manufacturer.
• Different strengths or forms - e.g. two smaller capsules instead of one larger one (only if your prescriber approves).
• Other pharmacies - a different chain or an independent pharmacy may have stock.

3. Talk to your prescriber

If your medication is genuinely unavailable, your prescriber can discuss options: a different strength, a therapeutic alternative, or a temporary plan. Never change your dose, ration your medication, or switch drugs on your own.

4. Check the recovery date

Each manufacturer's row on this site shows the FDA's note, which often includes an estimated recovery date. These are estimates and can move; the change log on each page shows when the FDA updates them.

5. Get an alert when it changes

Sign up on the medication's page to get one email only when the FDA record changes, or subscribe to its RSS or JSON feed. You won't have to keep checking.

What not to do

• Don't ration or stretch your medication - this can be dangerous.
• Don't buy from unverified online sellers - counterfeit medication is a real risk.
• Don't change your dose or stop a medication without your prescriber.

This page is general guidance, not medical advice. Talk to your pharmacist or prescriber about your specific situation.

FDA data last synced Oct 1, 2026 (FDA record dated Sep 30, 2026).