Provider Briefing: Ethyl Chloride Supply in 2026

Ethyl Chloride (Gebauer's Ethyl Chloride) remains a widely used vapocoolant in emergency departments, outpatient clinics, sports medicine practices, and pain management settings. As a single-source, FDA-cleared medical device manufactured exclusively by Gebauer Company, it occupies a unique position in the medical supply landscape — one that makes it particularly vulnerable to availability disruptions.

This briefing provides prescribers and clinical staff with an up-to-date picture of the Ethyl Chloride supply situation, practical guidance on managing availability challenges, and information about alternative products.

Timeline: How We Got Here

Ethyl Chloride has been manufactured by Gebauer Company in Cleveland, Ohio since the early 20th century — making it one of the oldest topical anesthetic products still in clinical use. Over the decades, it has maintained its position as the gold standard vapocoolant, particularly for pre-injection anesthesia and the spray and stretch technique for myofascial pain.

Key timeline points affecting supply:

• Pre-2020: Generally stable supply with occasional backorders during peak demand periods
• 2020-2021: COVID-19 pandemic disrupted chemical supply chains and medical product distribution broadly. Ethyl Chloride experienced intermittent availability constraints.
• 2022-2024: Supply chain normalization was uneven. Some facilities reported persistent difficulty maintaining consistent stock levels due to distributor allocation practices and single-source dependency.
• 2025-2026: Ethyl Chloride is not listed on FDA or ASHP shortage databases. However, the fundamental vulnerability — single manufacturer, specialized chemical handling — remains unchanged.

Prescribing Implications

Several factors make Ethyl Chloride's supply situation relevant to prescribers:

Regulatory Classification

Ethyl Chloride is classified as an FDA-cleared prescription medical device (510(k) clearance), not a pharmaceutical drug. This means:

• It does not appear in standard drug databases or e-prescribing systems the same way medications do
• It's distributed through medical supply channels (McKesson Medical-Surgical, McGuff, Henry Schein) rather than pharmaceutical wholesalers
• Ordering and inventory management falls to clinical operations or materials management rather than pharmacy departments in many settings

Flammability Concerns

Ethyl Chloride is highly flammable and must never be used in proximity to open flames or electrical cautery equipment. FDA adverse event reports document cases of ignition during procedures where cautery was used after Ethyl Chloride application. This safety consideration should factor into product selection, particularly in surgical settings.

Clinical Scope

Ethyl Chloride is FDA-cleared for:

• Pain control for injections, IV starts, and venipuncture
• Minor surgical procedures (incision and drainage, lancing boils)
• Temporary relief of minor sports injuries
• Myofascial pain management via spray and stretch technique (fine and medium stream only)

Published clinical evidence supports use in children ages 3 and older.

Current Availability Picture

As of early 2026, the supply situation can be characterized as follows:

• FDA/ASHP status: Not listed as a current shortage
• Manufacturer status: Gebauer Company continues active production across all formulations (fine stream bottle, medium stream bottle, mist can, Accustream 360)
• Distribution: Available through major medical supply distributors including McKesson, McGuff, Henry Schein, and Rally Inc.
• Practical availability: Variable by region and distributor. Some facilities report intermittent backorders, particularly for specific formulations

The single-source nature of the product means that any production disruption — planned maintenance, raw material constraints, or regulatory compliance activities — can create cascading supply effects with no alternative manufacturer to absorb demand.

Cost and Access Considerations

Ethyl Chloride pricing for healthcare facilities:

• Distributor pricing: Typically $30-$50 per unit depending on formulation, contract terms, and volume
• Retail/patient pricing: $45-$65 per bottle/can without discount programs
• No generic available: There is no FDA-cleared generic equivalent

Most facilities absorb the cost of Ethyl Chloride as a procedure supply rather than billing it separately to patients or payers.

Tools and Resources for Providers

To help manage Ethyl Chloride supply challenges:

• Medfinder for Providers: Real-time availability tracking across pharmacies and medical suppliers. Use this to quickly identify alternative sources when your primary distributor is out of stock.
• Gebauer Company: Contact directly at 1-800-321-9348 or visit gebauer.com for distributor information and product updates.
• ASHP Drug Shortages Center: Monitor ashp.org/drug-shortages for any formal shortage listings.
• Facility formulary planning: Consider adding a non-flammable vapocoolant alternative (e.g., Pain Ease) to your formulary as a backup to ensure uninterrupted patient care.

For a step-by-step guide to helping patients navigate availability issues, see How to Help Your Patients Find Ethyl Chloride in Stock.

Alternative Products for Clinical Consideration

When Ethyl Chloride is unavailable, the following products can serve as substitutes depending on clinical context:

• Gebauer's Pain Ease: Non-flammable vapocoolant, same manufacturer. FDA-cleared for needle procedures and minor surgery. Does not require a prescription. Can be used on intact skin, minor open wounds, and oral mucous membranes. Onset: 4-10 seconds.
• EMLA Cream (Lidocaine 2.5%/Prilocaine 2.5%): Topical anesthetic cream providing deeper, longer-lasting numbing. Onset: 30-60 minutes. Available as generic. Best for planned procedures.
• CoolJect: Non-flammable, hazmat-free vapocoolant. Suitable for needle procedures.
• Gebauer's Spray and Stretch: Non-flammable vapocoolant specifically for myofascial pain management and trigger point therapy.

For a detailed comparison, refer to Alternatives to Ethyl Chloride.

Looking Ahead

The fundamental supply risk for Ethyl Chloride — single-source manufacturing with no generic alternative — is unlikely to change in the near term. Providers should consider the following proactive strategies:

1. Dual-source your vapocoolant supply: Stock both Ethyl Chloride and a non-flammable alternative like Pain Ease so that supply disruptions for one product don't interrupt patient care.
2. Monitor usage and reorder proactively: Implement par-level monitoring and auto-reorder triggers to avoid stockouts.
3. Educate clinical staff on alternatives: Ensure nurses, medical assistants, and other staff who apply vapocoolants are comfortable using backup products.
4. Leverage multiple distributors: Maintain accounts with more than one medical supply distributor to maximize sourcing options.

Final Thoughts

Ethyl Chloride remains an effective and widely valued tool for procedural pain management. While it is not in formal shortage as of 2026, its single-source status warrants proactive supply management. By maintaining alternative products on formulary and leveraging tools like Medfinder for Providers, clinical teams can ensure consistent patient care regardless of supply fluctuations.

For patient-facing information, direct your patients to Ethyl Chloride Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know.