FDA Drug Shortages
72 drugs are on the FDA shortage list. “In shortage” means at least one manufacturer cannot meet demand. Hospitals ration doses and substitute with drugs that carry higher error risk. No manufacturer supplies 5 of them at all.
When a drug enters shortage, hospital pharmacists spend hours sourcing alternatives. Substitutes may have different concentrations or dosing intervals, increasing medication error risk. During the 2023 cisplatin shortage, oncologists rationed chemotherapy under National Comprehensive Cancer Network triage guidelines.
Chronic shortages
6 drugs have been in shortage for 10+ years
Atropine has been in shortage since 2012. For 14.5 years, hospitals have rationed doses or substituted with higher-risk alternatives. Manufacturers have not restored steady supply.
- 14.5 yrAtropine Sulfate InjectionAnesthesia, +2 more
- 14.5 yrFentanyl Citrate InjectionAnalgesia/Addiction, Pediatric
- 14.3 yrEpinephrine Bitartrate, Lidocaine Hydrochloride InjectionAnesthesia, Pediatric
- 14.3 yrLidocaine Hydrochloride InjectionAnesthesia, +2 more
- 11.3 yrCefotaxime Sodium Powder, for SolutionAnti-Infective, Pediatric
- 10.4 yrSodium Acetate InjectionEndocrinology/Metabolism, +3 more
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All Current Shortages
72 drugs
72 drugs from the FDA Drug Shortages database.
Generic name from the FDA Drug Shortages database. Links to the chemical’s ACID profile when a CAS match exists. | Years since the drug was first listed on the FDA Drug Shortages database. | Therapeutic category (e.g., Anesthesia, Cardiovascular). Drugs may span multiple categories. | Dosage form — how the drug is manufactured (Injection, Tablet, Powder, etc.). | Distinct companies named in the FDA shortage record. | How many manufacturer presentations are currently available vs. total listed. “0 of N” means completely unavailable from all manufacturers. | CAS registry number linking to the chemical’s full ACID profile page. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atropine Sulfate Injection | 14.5 yr | Anesthesia, +2 more | Injection | 7 | 8 of 16 | 51-55-8 |
| Fentanyl Citrate Injection | 14.5 yr | Analgesia/Addiction, Pediatric | Injection | 3 | 8 of 19 | 437-38-7 |
| Epinephrine Bitartrate, Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection | 14.3 yr | Anesthesia, Pediatric | Injection | 2 | 15 of 22 | 137-58-6 |
| Lidocaine Hydrochloride Injection | 14.3 yr | Anesthesia, +2 more | Injection | 10 | 54 of 68 | 137-58-6 |
| Cefotaxime Sodium Powder, for Solution | 11.3 yr | Anti-Infective, Pediatric | Powder, For Solution | 2 | 2 of 6 | 64485-93-4 |
| Sodium Acetate Injection | 10.4 yr | Endocrinology/Metabolism, +3 more | Injection | 4 | 10 of 12 | 127-09-3 |
| Sodium Bicarbonate Injection | 9.3 yr | Endocrinology/Metabolism, +2 more | Injection | 5 | 8 of 15 | 144-55-8 |
| Dobutamine Hydrochloride Injection | 8.6 yr | Cardiovascular, +2 more | Injection | 3 | 6 of 10 | 49745-95-1 |
| Dopamine Hydrochloride Injection | 8.6 yr | Cardiovascular | Injection | 3 | 8 of 11 | 51-61-6 |
| Heparin Sodium Injection | 8.6 yr | Hematology | Injection | 4 | 4 of 9 | 9041-08-1 |
| Hydromorphone Hydrochloride Injection | 8.6 yr | Analgesia/Addiction | Injection | 4 | 9 of 26 | 71-68-1 |
| Morphine Sulfate Injection | 8.6 yr | Analgesia/Addiction | Injection | 5 | 9 of 22 | 57-27-2 |
| Bumetanide Injection | 8.5 yr | Cardiovascular | Injection | 5 | 9 of 12 | 28395-03-1 |
| Bupivacaine Hydrochloride Injection | 8.3 yr | Anesthesia | Injection | 6 | 36 of 42 | 18010-40-7 |
| Bupivacaine Hydrochloride, Epinephrine Bitartrate Injection | 8.3 yr | Anesthesia | Injection | 2 | 13 of 20 | 18010-40-7 |
| Ketorolac Tromethamine Injection | 8.2 yr | Analgesia/Addiction | Injection | 7 | 13 of 25 | 74103-06-3 |
| Ropivacaine Hydrochloride Injection | 8.2 yr | Anesthesia | Injection | 5 | 32 of 46 | 84057-95-4 |
| Lorazepam Injection | 8.1 yr | Neurology | Injection | 4 | 1 of 11 | 846-49-1 |
| Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate Injection | 7.4 yr | Dermatology, +9 more | Injection | 5 | 13 of 16 | 2392-39-4 |
| Echothiophate Iodide Ophthalmic Solution | 6.7 yr | Ophthalmology | Ophthalmic Solution | 1 | 1 of 1 | 513-10-0 |
| Dexmedetomidine Hydrochloride Injection | 6.2 yr | Anesthesia | Injection | 14 | 43 of 52 | 113775-47-6 |
| Furosemide Injection | 6.2 yr | Cardiovascular | Injection | 8 | 18 of 30 | 54-31-9 |
| Midazolam Hydrochloride Injection | 6.2 yr | Anesthesia, Neurology | Injection | 5 | 14 of 26 | 59467-70-8 |
| Rifapentine Tablet, Film Coated | 6.2 yr | Anti-Infective | Tablet | 1 | 1 of 1 | 61379-65-5 |
| Amino Acid Injection | 5.5 yr | Gastroenterology | Injection | 3 | 13 of 16 | — |
| Azacitidine Injection | 5.5 yr | Oncology | Injection | 9 | 7 of 9 | 320-67-2 |
| Valproate Sodium Injection | 5.5 yr | Neurology | Injection | 2 | 2 of 2 | 1069-66-5 |
| Desmopressin Acetate Spray | 5.3 yr | Hematology | Spray | 2 | 1 of 4 | 16679-58-6 |
| Rifampin Injection | 5.3 yr | Anti-Infective | Injection | 3 | 2 of 3 | 13292-46-1 |
| Triamcinolone Hexacetonide Injection | 5.1 yr | Rheumatology | Injection | 1 | 0 of 1 | 124-94-7 |
| Triamcinolone Acetonide Injection | 4.7 yr | Ophthalmology | Injection | 1 | 0 of 1 | 124-94-7 |
| Sterile Water Injection | 4.6 yr | Other | Injection | 5 | 10 of 12 | 7732-18-5 |
| Methylprednisolone Acetate Injection | 4.5 yr | Rheumatology | Injection | 5 | 16 of 23 | 53-36-1 |
| Rifampin Capsule | 4.5 yr | Anti-Infective | Capsule | 2 | 2 of 9 | 13292-46-1 |
| Dextrose Monohydrate 50% Injection | 4.4 yr | Endocrinology/Metabolism, +2 more | Injection | 2 | 2 of 4 | 77938-63-7 |
| Metronidazole Injection | 4.4 yr | Anti-Infective | Injection | 3 | 2 of 4 | 443-48-1 |
| Conivaptan Hydrochloride Injection | 4.3 yr | Cardiovascular | Injection | 1 | 0 of 1 | — |
| Dextrose Monohydrate 10% Injection | 4.3 yr | Endocrinology/Metabolism, +3 more | Injection | 4 | 13 of 13 | 77938-63-7 |
| Dextrose Monohydrate 5% Injection | 4.3 yr | Endocrinology/Metabolism, +3 more | Injection | 4 | 33 of 36 | 77938-63-7 |
| Sufentanil Citrate Injection | 4.1 yr | Analgesia/Addiction, Pediatric | Injection | 2 | 1 of 4 | 56030-54-7 |
| Remifentanil Hydrochloride Injection | 4.0 yr | Analgesia/Addiction | Injection | 3 | 8 of 9 | 132539-07-2 |
| Flurazepam Hydrochloride Capsule | 3.9 yr | Neurology, +2 more | Capsule | 2 | 4 of 6 | 1172-18-5 |
| Streptozocin Powder, For Solution | 3.9 yr | Oncology | Powder, For Solution | 2 | 1 of 2 | 18883-66-4 |
| Amphetamine Aspartate Monohydrate, Amphetamine Sulfate, Dextroamphetamine Saccharate, Dextroamphetamine Sulfate Tablet | 3.7 yr | Psychiatry | Tablet | 11 | 47 of 73 | 25333-81-7 |
| Etomidate Injection | 3.7 yr | Anesthesia | Injection | 6 | 17 of 19 | 33125-97-2 |
| Albuterol Sulfate Solution | 3.6 yr | Pediatric, Pulmonary/Allergy | Solution | 3 | 3 of 3 | 18559-94-9 |
| Quinapril Hydrochloride Tablet | 3.4 yr | Cardiovascular | Tablet | 4 | 4 of 16 | 82586-55-8 |
| Quinapril/Hydrochlorothiazide Tablet | 3.4 yr | Cardiovascular | Tablet | 2 | 3 of 6 | 58-93-5 |
| Clonazepam Tablet | 3.3 yr | Neurology, +2 more | Tablet | 6 | 37 of 40 | 1622-61-3 |
| Methotrexate Sodium Injection | 3.3 yr | Oncology, Rheumatology | Injection | 5 | 11 of 14 | 59-05-2 |
| Rocuronium Bromide Injection | 3.3 yr | Anesthesia | Injection | 11 | 22 of 26 | 119302-91-9 |
| Clindamycin Phosphate Injection | 3.2 yr | Anti-Infective | Injection | 4 | 10 of 20 | 18323-44-9 |
| Carboplatin Injection | 3.1 yr | Oncology | Injection | 7 | 6 of 27 | 41575-94-4 |
| Penicillin G Benzathine Injection | 3.1 yr | Anti-Infective | Injection | 2 | 1 of 4 | 41372-02-5 |
| Sterile Water Irrigant | 3.1 yr | Gastroenterology, +2 more | Irrigant | 3 | 2 of 9 | 7732-18-5 |
| Liraglutide Injection | 2.9 yr | Endocrinology/Metabolism | Injection | 3 | 7 of 9 | 204656-20-2 |
| Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate Capsule | 2.9 yr | Psychiatry | Capsule | 13 | 54 of 90 | 608137-33-3 |
| Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate Tablet, Chewable | 2.9 yr | Psychiatry | Tablet, Chewable | 3 | 18 of 18 | 608137-33-3 |
| Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Tablet, Extended Release | 2.9 yr | Psychiatry | Tablet | 7 | 16 of 39 | 113-45-1 |
| Cromolyn Sodium Concentrate | 2.6 yr | Pulmonary/Allergy | Concentrate | 4 | 3 of 4 | 15826-37-6 |
| Promethazine Hydrochloride Injection | 2.6 yr | Analgesia/Addiction, +4 more | Injection | 2 | 6 of 10 | 58-33-3 |
| Propranolol Hydrochloride Injection | 2.6 yr | Cardiovascular | Injection | 2 | 1 of 2 | 318-98-9 |
| Technetium TC-99M Pyrophosphate Kit Injection | 2.5 yr | Medical Imaging | Injection | 2 | 0 of 3 | |
| Riluzole Oral Suspension | 2.4 yr | Neurology | Oral Suspension | 1 | 3 of 4 | 1744-22-5 |
| Dextrose Monohydrate 70% Injection | 1.7 yr | Endocrinology/Metabolism, +3 more | Injection | 3 | 4 of 4 | 77938-63-7 |
| Hydroxocobalamin Injection | 1.6 yr | Other | Injection | 2 | 0 of 2 | 13422-51-0 |
| Peginterferon alfa-2a Injection | 1.4 yr | Antiviral | Injection | 1 | 0 of 2 | — |
| Bacitracin Ophthalmic Ointment | 1.3 yr | Anti-Infective, Ophthalmology | Ophthalmic Ointment | 1 | 0 of 1 | 1405-87-4 |
| Methylphenidate Film, Extended Release | 1.3 yr | Psychiatry | Film, Extended Release | 1 | 4 of 4 | 113-45-1 |
| Meperidine Hydrochloride Injection | 1.0 yr | Analgesia/Addiction | Injection | 2 | 2 of 10 | 50-13-5 |
| Furosemide Oral Solution | <1 yr | Cardiovascular | Oral Solution | 1 | 0 of 3 | 54-31-9 |
| Isocarboxazid Tablet | <1 yr | Psychiatry | Tablet | 1 | 0 of 1 | 59-63-2 |
Source
FDA Drug Shortages database. Manufacturer counts from the FDA National Drug Code (NDC) Directory. Duration calculated from initial posting date. All data is from public US government sources.