A clinical briefing on the 2026 Acamprosate shortage for providers: supply timeline, prescribing implications, alternatives, and tools to help patients.
Acamprosate Calcium 333 mg delayed-release tablets remain in an active drug shortage as of early 2026. For providers managing patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD), this creates real clinical challenges — from treatment continuity to patient retention in recovery programs.
This briefing covers the current state of the shortage, its implications for your prescribing practice, and practical tools to help your patients maintain access to effective pharmacotherapy.
The Acamprosate shortage has evolved over the past two years:
There is currently no confirmed resolution date from ASHP or the FDA.
The shortage raises several clinical considerations:
Patients who are stable on Acamprosate may face gaps in therapy. While Acamprosate does not produce physical dependence or withdrawal syndrome upon discontinuation, interruptions in treatment can increase relapse risk — particularly in the critical first year of recovery.
Initiating new patients on Acamprosate is complicated by uncertain pharmacy availability. Consider proactively verifying stock before writing the prescription, or discussing backup options with the patient at the initial visit.
Acamprosate's three-times-daily, six-tablet-per-day regimen already presents adherence challenges. Adding the stress of finding a pharmacy with stock further burdens patients who are often managing multiple aspects of their recovery.
As of February 2026:
Availability varies significantly by region and pharmacy. Chain pharmacies tend to report out-of-stock more frequently than independent pharmacies, which often maintain different wholesaler relationships.
Medfinder for Providers offers real-time pharmacy stock data that can help you direct patients to pharmacies with current supply.
Understanding the cost landscape helps you anticipate and address patient barriers:
Price variability between pharmacies is significant during the shortage. Advise patients to compare prices and use discount programs, especially if they're paying out of pocket. More details are available in our provider guide to helping patients save money on Acamprosate.
When Acamprosate is unavailable, consider these evidence-based alternatives:
For a patient-facing overview of alternatives, see Alternatives to Acamprosate.
Here are practical resources to help manage the shortage's impact on your patients:
The Acamprosate shortage reflects a broader vulnerability in the generic drug market — medications with smaller patient populations and lower profit margins are disproportionately affected by manufacturer exits and supply chain disruptions.
In the near term, providers should:
The Acamprosate shortage is an ongoing challenge, but it doesn't have to mean treatment failure for your patients. With proactive planning, familiarity with alternative agents, and tools like Medfinder, you can help patients maintain effective pharmacotherapy through the shortage.
For a step-by-step workflow, see our companion article: How to help your patients find Acamprosate in stock.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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