Gabapentin Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

If you've been told your pharmacy is out of Gabapentin, or if you've read online that there's a shortage, here's everything you need to know about Gabapentin's current supply status in 2026.

Current Gabapentin Shortage Status in 2026

As of early 2026, there is no active FDA-declared nationwide shortage of Gabapentin tablets or capsules. The drug is produced by many generic manufacturers and is generally widely available at most retail and mail-order pharmacies.

However, there is important nuance here:

• Oral solution (liquid): The oral solution (250 mg/5 mL) experienced a documented shortage tracked by ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) starting May 2023. This shortage was caused by Mylan (Viatris), a major manufacturer, failing to supply the market. By July 2024, alternative suppliers (Acella and Amneal) resumed full supply. Most pharmacies have resolved this issue, though availability may still vary locally.
• Tablets and capsules: Not affected by any shortage as of 2026. The 100 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg capsules and 600 mg and 800 mg tablets are broadly available.
• Local stock gaps: Individual pharmacies — especially smaller independent pharmacies — may occasionally run out of specific doses due to high local demand. This is not a shortage; it's a restocking issue that typically resolves in 1-3 days.

What Caused the Previous Gabapentin Oral Solution Shortage?

The oral solution shortage of 2023-2024 is a good example of how a single manufacturer's supply interruption can ripple through the healthcare system. Mylan (Viatris), which manufactured the branded Neurontin oral solution, experienced supply issues and did not provide a public explanation for the disruption. Because many pharmacies relied on Mylan's product, the gap created real-world access problems for patients — particularly children and elderly patients who rely on liquid formulations.

Once alternative manufacturers (Acella and Amneal) scaled up production and the ASHP began tracking the issue, supply improved significantly. This resolution illustrates why having multiple manufacturers for a drug matters for long-term supply resilience.

Why Do Patients Still Have Trouble Finding Gabapentin If There's No Shortage?

Even without a formal shortage, Gabapentin can be hard to find at individual pharmacies for several reasons:

• Massive demand: With 73 million prescriptions written in 2024, Gabapentin is one of the most-prescribed drugs in the U.S. Any spike in demand — or a local prescribing surge — can temporarily deplete a pharmacy's supply.
• State scheduling requirements: In Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Utah, and Virginia, Gabapentin is classified as a Schedule V controlled substance. This creates additional tracking requirements and can affect how much stock pharmacies maintain in those states.
• Just-in-time pharmacy ordering: Many pharmacies use predictive ordering systems and don't carry large buffers. An unusually high number of prescriptions in a week can temporarily outpace what a pharmacy has on hand.

What Patients Should Do Right Now

If you're having trouble finding Gabapentin at your usual pharmacy, here's your action plan:

1. Use Medfinder to check real-time inventory at pharmacies near you before making calls.
2. Ask your pharmacist to special-order your dose. Most pharmacies can get it within 1-2 business days.
3. Contact your prescriber if you're running low. They can provide an early refill authorization, bridge supply, or transition to an equivalent dose that's in stock.
4. Never stop Gabapentin abruptly. Stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms (anxiety, insomnia, sweating) and increase seizure risk in epilepsy patients.
5. If the issue persists, discuss Gabapentin alternatives with your doctor — particularly Pregabalin, which treats similar conditions.

Where to Monitor Future Gabapentin Shortages

To stay informed about any future Gabapentin supply issues, check these official sources:

• FDA Drug Shortage Database (fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/drug-shortages) — official FDA-tracked shortages
• ASHP Drug Shortage Database (ashp.org/drug-shortages) — often tracks shortages before the FDA does
• Medfinder (medfinder.com) — real-time local pharmacy inventory for your specific dose and location