Disulfiram Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

Patients prescribed disulfiram — the alcohol use disorder medication once sold as Antabuse — have been dealing with a drug shortage since mid-2024. For people in recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD), a gap in this medication isn't just an inconvenience: it can threaten the sobriety they've worked hard to maintain.

This page provides the most current information about the disulfiram shortage in 2026, including which products are affected, why the shortage is happening, and what patients can do right now.

Current Status: Is Disulfiram in Shortage in 2026?

Yes. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) created a disulfiram shortage alert in July 2024. The alert was updated in May 2025, confirming the shortage had not fully resolved. No formal end date has been announced.

The shortage is not a complete nationwide absence of disulfiram — it is a partial shortage affecting specific presentations. This is why some patients can fill their prescription while others cannot, even in the same city.

Which Disulfiram Products Are Affected?

As of the most recent ASHP update, the following presentations are confirmed unavailable:

• Chartwell disulfiram 500 mg tablet (NDC 62135-0432-90, 90-count bottle) — unavailable
• At least one Alvogen presentation — unavailable, no resupply date provided

There are four total presentations of disulfiram tablets currently marketed in the U.S. Products from other manufacturers (such as the 250 mg tablets from other suppliers) may still be available. If your pharmacy stocks a particular manufacturer's product that is now on shortage, they may not have a substitute on hand.

Why Did the Disulfiram Shortage Start?

The exact manufacturing reason for the Chartwell shortage was not publicly disclosed. However, the broader context helps explain why disulfiram is vulnerable to supply disruptions:

• Few manufacturers. Disulfiram is an old, low-margin generic. Only a small number of U.S.-marketed manufacturers produce it. When one encounters a production problem, the market tightens quickly.
• Discontinued brand-name product. Brand-name Antabuse was discontinued, leaving only generic manufacturers. This concentration of supply makes the market more fragile.
• Niche market, limited stockpiling. Disulfiram is not a high-volume medication. Pharmacies don't typically keep large reserves. When supply disrupts, pharmacies run out quickly without a buffer.

How Does This Shortage Affect Patients?

For patients in AUD recovery, the implications are serious. Disulfiram is not a medication you can simply skip for a few days without consequence — it is the pharmacological foundation of an abstinence strategy. A gap in supply can:

• Remove the aversion deterrent patients rely on to stay sober
• Increase stress and anxiety about relapse without pharmaceutical support
• Force abrupt transitions to other medications without proper planning

What Patients Should Do Right Now

1. Contact your prescriber immediately if you are having trouble filling disulfiram. Do not wait until you run out completely.
2. Search multiple pharmacies. Because the shortage affects specific manufacturers, other pharmacies in your area may carry different products that are still available.
3. Ask about the 250 mg tablet. The shortage primarily affects 500 mg presentations. The 250 mg tablet may be more widely available in your area.
4. Discuss alternatives with your doctor. Naltrexone and acamprosate are both FDA-approved, first-line AUD medications that are more widely available than disulfiram.

How medfinder Helps During Drug Shortages

medfinder is built for exactly these situations. Instead of calling pharmacy after pharmacy, you provide your medication, dosage, and zip code — and medfinder contacts pharmacies near you to find which ones can fill your prescription. The results are texted back to you. During a shortage, this kind of targeted searching can save hours and help you find the one pharmacy in your area that still has stock.

For a full comparison of what to take instead if disulfiram remains unavailable, see our guide to alternatives to disulfiram.