Drug Shortage Checker
Built by Johnny Alto · free, no sign-up · reads live FDA data
From ADHD stimulants to common antibiotics, drug shortages have become a regular disruption, and the status can change week to week. Enter a medication to see whether the FDA currently lists it in shortage, which manufacturers and forms are affected, and what the availability looks like. Nothing you type is stored.
Data comes live from the FDA drug shortage database (updated daily). It reflects manufacturer-reported supply, which can differ from what a specific pharmacy has on the shelf. Confirm on the FDA Drug Shortages database and with your pharmacist.
Helpful for anyone on a daily prescription
How drug shortages work
A drug shortage happens when the total supply of a medication cannot meet current demand at the patient level. The FDA tracks these through manufacturer reports and publishes the status in a database that updates daily. Causes range from manufacturing and quality problems to shortages of the active ingredient, sudden spikes in demand, business decisions to discontinue a product, and, for controlled substances such as stimulants, federal production quotas that cap how much can be made in a year.
This checker reads that FDA data directly and shows, for the medication you enter, whether it is currently in shortage, which companies and forms are affected, and any availability notes the manufacturer provided. Because it reflects manufacturer-level reporting, a drug can be listed as available while your specific pharmacy is still waiting on a delivery, or listed in shortage while one manufacturer still has stock.
What to do if your medication is short
The most important rule is not to ration, stop, or switch your medication on your own, which can be dangerous. Instead, ask your pharmacist to check other pharmacies in the chain and other manufacturers, since availability often varies by maker and by dose. Ask your prescriber whether a therapeutic alternative is appropriate, or whether a different available strength can be combined to reach your usual dose. Filling a few days early when you can also builds a small buffer.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my medication is in shortage?
Enter the drug name above. The tool searches the FDA drug shortage database, which is updated daily, and shows whether it is currently in shortage, the affected manufacturers and forms, and any availability notes. Talk to your pharmacist about alternatives if it is.
Why is there an Adderall shortage?
Stimulants such as amphetamine mixed salts have been in ongoing shortage driven by manufacturing constraints, active-ingredient supply limits, and federal production quotas set for controlled substances, alongside high demand. Availability varies by manufacturer and dose.
What should I do if my drug is in shortage?
Do not stop or change your medication on your own. Ask your pharmacist to check other pharmacies and manufacturers, and ask your prescriber about a therapeutic alternative or a different strength that can be combined to reach your dose.
Is this the official FDA shortage list?
This tool reads the FDA's open drug shortage data directly, but it is a convenience layer, not the official site. For clinical decisions, confirm on the FDA Drug Shortages database and the ASHP shortage resource, and consult your pharmacist.
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This tool reports data from the FDA drug shortage database for general information only. It is not medical advice, a clinical resource, or a substitute for your pharmacist or prescriber. Never change how you take a medication based on this tool. Product links are to Amazon, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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