A clinical briefing on the Cytomel (Liothyronine) shortage for providers. Supply timeline, prescribing strategies, alternatives, and patient access tools.
If your patients are reporting difficulty filling Cytomel (Liothyronine Sodium) prescriptions, they're reflecting a real and ongoing supply challenge. This briefing is designed to give prescribers a concise, evidence-based overview of the current Liothyronine availability landscape, prescribing implications, and practical resources for ensuring patient continuity of care.
Cytomel and generic Liothyronine Sodium have experienced intermittent supply disruptions since approximately 2018. While Liothyronine is not always carried on the FDA's formal drug shortage list, real-world availability at the pharmacy level has been inconsistent — particularly for certain tablet strengths and in high-demand markets.
The situation is best characterized as a chronic supply-demand imbalance rather than an acute shortage event. Availability varies by:
Understanding the broader context helps explain the current Liothyronine situation:
The supply challenges create several clinical considerations for prescribers:
When a patient cannot fill their Liothyronine prescription, providers must weigh several factors:
Consider prescribing flexibility when possible:
Brand-name Cytomel frequently requires prior authorization. Many formularies prefer generic Liothyronine, which may be more readily available. When switching patients between brand and generic, monitor thyroid function given potential bioequivalence variability.
Based on pharmacy and patient reports:
Providers can direct patients to Medfinder for Providers to help locate pharmacies with current Liothyronine stock in their area.
Medication cost affects adherence, and Liothyronine costs have been notable:
For patients experiencing cost barriers, Pfizer offers the Pfizer RxPathways program, which includes co-pay cards for commercially insured patients and patient assistance for uninsured/underinsured individuals. Additional resources include NeedyMeds and RxAssist.
Medfinder offers a provider-facing tool that helps clinical teams quickly locate pharmacies stocking specific medications, including Liothyronine. This can save significant time compared to phone-based pharmacy checks and improve the patient experience during supply disruptions.
When Liothyronine is unavailable, consider these alternatives based on clinical scenario:
For patient-facing information on alternatives, you may direct patients to our alternatives to Cytomel guide.
Consider sharing these resources with affected patients:
The structural factors driving Liothyronine supply issues — limited manufacturers, rising demand, API sourcing challenges, and tariff pressures — are unlikely to resolve quickly. Practices that build proactive medication access workflows now will be better positioned to support their thyroid patients through continued supply volatility.
Key steps include:
The Cytomel supply situation requires active management from prescribers and clinical teams. By understanding the supply landscape, maintaining prescribing flexibility, and leveraging tools like Medfinder for Providers, you can help ensure your patients maintain access to the thyroid therapy they need.
For a complementary guide on practical pharmacy-level strategies, see How to Help Your Patients Find Cytomel in Stock.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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