The Amphotericin B Shortage in 2026: Here's Where Things Stand

If you or someone you care about depends on Amphotericin B to treat a serious fungal infection, you've likely been affected by the ongoing drug shortage. This isn't a new problem — Amphotericin B has faced supply disruptions for years — but in 2026, the situation remains challenging for patients and hospitals alike.

This article gives you a clear, up-to-date picture of the shortage, which formulations are affected, what it's costing patients, and what you can do to get the medication you need.

Is Amphotericin B Still in Shortage?

Yes. As of early 2026, Amphotericin B continues to be in limited supply in the United States. Here's the breakdown by formulation:

Conventional Amphotericin B Deoxycholate

Status: Active shortage. X-Gen Pharmaceuticals, the sole U.S. manufacturer of the conventional lyophilized powder for injection, has experienced ongoing manufacturing delays. There is no estimated resupply date for consistent availability. This is the formulation most severely affected by the shortage.

Amphotericin B Lipid Complex (Abelcet)

Status: On back order. Leadiant Biosciences has Abelcet 100 mg/20 mL vials on back order and cannot estimate a release date. This further limits options for patients who need a lipid-based formulation.

Liposomal Amphotericin B (AmBisome)

Status: Generally available. The liposomal formulation from Gilead Sciences has not been significantly affected by the shortage. However, it is substantially more expensive than the conventional form, which creates its own challenges.

Why Is Amphotericin B Hard to Find?

The shortage stems from a combination of factors that have plagued this medication for years:

• Single-source manufacturing: The conventional formulation has only one manufacturer (X-Gen), creating a single point of failure in the supply chain.
• Complex production: Sterile injectable medications require specialized manufacturing facilities and rigorous quality controls. Any disruption in production takes months to resolve.
• Limited economic incentive: At around $49 to $70 per vial for the conventional form, there's little financial motivation for other companies to invest in manufacturing infrastructure.
• Sustained demand: Amphotericin B remains essential for treating mucormycosis, cryptococcal meningitis, and other serious infections in immunocompromised patients, particularly in transplant and oncology settings.

For a more detailed explanation, read our article on why Amphotericin B is so hard to find.

What Does Amphotericin B Cost in 2026?

Cost varies dramatically depending on which formulation you need:

• Conventional Amphotericin B deoxycholate: Approximately $49 to $70 per 50 mg vial — when you can find it.
• Liposomal Amphotericin B (AmBisome): Approximately $300 to $1,200+ per 50 mg vial, depending on the pharmacy and whether you have insurance.
• Amphotericin B Lipid Complex (Abelcet): Pricing varies but is typically in the range of several hundred dollars per vial — when available.

A full treatment course can last weeks to months, so total costs can range from $5,000 to over $50,000 depending on the formulation, dosage, and duration. Most patients receive Amphotericin B in a hospital setting where it's billed under the medical benefit rather than the pharmacy benefit.

For tips on managing these costs, see our guide on how to save money on Amphotericin B.

Are There New Options in 2026?

The antifungal medication landscape continues to evolve:

• Newer azoles: Medications like Isavuconazonium (Cresemba) have expanded treatment options for invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis.
• Echinocandins: Caspofungin, Micafungin, and Anidulafungin continue to be reliable alternatives for candidiasis and some other infections.
• Pipeline drugs: Several new antifungal agents are in clinical development, though none are expected to fully replace Amphotericin B's unique broad-spectrum activity in the near term.

However, for certain infections — particularly mucormycosis and severe cryptococcal meningitis — Amphotericin B (especially the liposomal formulation) remains the standard of care. Learn more about your options in our article on alternatives to Amphotericin B.

How to Find Amphotericin B in Stock

If you need Amphotericin B, here are the steps to take:

1. Use Medfinder: Visit medfinder.com to search for real-time availability at hospitals and pharmacies near you.
2. Work with your medical team: Your infectious disease specialist and hospital pharmacist can check inventory across their network and contact other facilities.
3. Contact specialty pharmacies: Pharmacies that specialize in injectable and infusion medications may have supply that general hospital pharmacies don't.
4. Ask about AmBisome: If the conventional form is unavailable, the liposomal formulation has remained more consistently available.
5. Reach out to academic medical centers: Large university hospitals often have better access to medications in shortage.

For a complete guide, read our article on how to find Amphotericin B in stock near you.

What to Do If You're Currently on Amphotericin B

If you're already receiving Amphotericin B treatment and your facility is running low:

• Don't stop treatment without talking to your doctor. Incomplete antifungal therapy can allow the infection to come back or develop resistance.
• Ask about dose adjustments. In some cases, your medical team may adjust dosing or frequency to stretch available supply.
• Discuss step-down therapy. Depending on how you're responding, your doctor may be able to transition you to an oral antifungal like Voriconazole or Fluconazole for the remainder of your treatment.
• Stay informed. Keep in touch with your hospital pharmacy about expected resupply dates.

Final Thoughts

The Amphotericin B shortage is a serious challenge, but it's not insurmountable. The liposomal formulation remains generally available, alternative antifungals can work for many infections, and tools like Medfinder can help you locate supply.

The most important thing is to stay connected with your healthcare team and be proactive about finding solutions. If you're a provider looking for clinical guidance during this shortage, check out our article on what providers and prescribers need to know in 2026.