Why Checking for Marplan in Stock Feels Like a Part-Time Job

If you take Marplan (Isocarboxazid), you already know the drill: your prescription is ready, but your pharmacy doesn't have it. You call another pharmacy. They don't have it either. By the time you've called five or six places, you've spent an hour on hold and still don't have your medication.

Marplan is one of the hardest prescription medications to find in the United States. It's a rarely prescribed MAOI with a single manufacturer (Validus Pharmaceuticals), and it has experienced recurring shortages. Many pharmacies simply don't stock it.

The good news? You don't have to call every pharmacy in town. Here are the best ways to check stock without picking up the phone.

Why Marplan Is Hard to Find

A quick recap on why this medication is so scarce:

• Single manufacturer: Only Validus Pharmaceuticals makes Marplan. There is no generic version of Isocarboxazid available in the US.
• Low demand: MAOIs are prescribed far less often than SSRIs or SNRIs, so most pharmacies don't keep Marplan on their shelves.
• Supply disruptions: Marplan has experienced critical shortages requiring FDA-coordinated temporary importation.
• High cost: At $577–$700 for a 30-day supply, pharmacies are less likely to stock a medication that might sit on the shelf unsold.

How to Check Without Calling

1. Medfinder (Fastest Option)

Medfinder was built specifically for hard-to-find medications like Marplan. Here's how it works:

1. Go to medfinder.com
2. Search for Marplan or Isocarboxazid
3. Enter your zip code
4. See which pharmacies near you have it in stock — with real-time availability data

No account needed, no phone calls, no hold music. Medfinder checks inventory across pharmacies in your area so you can go straight to one that actually has your medication.

2. Pharmacy Chain Apps and Websites

Some large pharmacy chains let you check stock or transfer prescriptions online:

• CVS: Use the CVS app or website to search for your medication. If your local store doesn't have it, you can request a transfer to one that does.
• Walgreens: The Walgreens app shows prescription status and may indicate availability issues. You can request transfers between locations.
• Walmart: Walmart's pharmacy app lets you manage prescriptions and check status.

The limitation: these tools only show you stock within their own chain. For a niche medication like Marplan, you'll likely need to check across multiple chains — which is exactly what Medfinder does in one search.

3. GoodRx

GoodRx can show you which pharmacies in your area carry a medication and at what price. While it's primarily a coupon tool, the pharmacy search function is useful for checking availability. Search for Isocarboxazid on GoodRx.com and look at which pharmacies show pricing — if a pharmacy lists a price, they likely stock or can order the drug.

4. Ask Your Doctor's Office

This isn't exactly "without calling," but it's one call instead of ten. Psychiatrists who regularly prescribe Marplan often know which pharmacies in the area carry it. Their office staff can point you in the right direction.

If You Prefer to Call

Sometimes a phone call is unavoidable. Here are tips to make it faster:

• Call the pharmacy, not the store. Ask to be transferred directly to the pharmacy counter.
• Be specific. Say: "I need to check if you have Marplan, brand name, Isocarboxazid 10 mg tablets, in stock right now."
• Ask about ordering. If they don't have it, ask: "Can you order it? How long would it take?" Some pharmacies can get it within 1–3 business days.
• Try independent pharmacies. Smaller, independent pharmacies are sometimes more willing to special-order niche medications and may have better relationships with specialty distributors.
• Try specialty pharmacies. Pharmacies that focus on mental health or rare medications may be more likely to stock MAOIs.

Once You Find It

When you find a pharmacy that has Marplan in stock, take these steps to make sure your next refill goes smoothly:

• Ask them to keep it in stock. Let the pharmacy know you're a regular Marplan patient. They can set up automatic reordering.
• Transfer your prescription. If your current pharmacy can't get it, ask your doctor to send the prescription to the pharmacy that can.
• Refill early. Don't wait until you're on your last pill. Start the refill process at least a week before you run out — more if there's an active shortage.
• Look into cost savings. Marplan is expensive. Check our guide to coupons, discounts, and patient assistance programs to lower your out-of-pocket cost.
• Bookmark Medfinder. If your pharmacy runs out next month, you'll want to check stock again quickly.

Final Thoughts

Searching for Marplan shouldn't feel like a scavenger hunt, but for many patients in 2026, it still does. The shortage situation is real, and the drug's niche status means most pharmacies don't carry it.

The best thing you can do is use the right tools. Medfinder makes it easy to check Marplan stock across pharmacies near you without a single phone call. Combined with a good relationship with your pharmacy and your prescriber, you can minimize the stress of filling this medication.