Finding Amphotericin B Shouldn't Be This Hard — But Here's How to Do It

If you've been prescribed Amphotericin B for a serious fungal infection and you're struggling to find it, you're dealing with one of the most frustrating medication shortages in the country. This life-saving antifungal has been in limited supply due to manufacturing delays, and many patients and caregivers are left wondering where to turn.

The good news is that Amphotericin B does exist — it's just not evenly distributed. Some hospitals have supply while others are completely out. In this guide, we'll walk you through the best tools and strategies to find Amphotericin B in stock near you.

Understanding the Shortage

Before we dive into tips, it helps to understand what you're dealing with. The conventional Amphotericin B deoxycholate formulation has been on shortage because X-Gen Pharmaceuticals — the only U.S. manufacturer — has experienced ongoing manufacturing delays. The lipid complex (Abelcet) is also on back order from Leadiant Biosciences.

However, liposomal Amphotericin B (AmBisome) has generally remained available, though it costs significantly more. For a deeper dive into what's causing the shortage, read our article on why Amphotericin B is so hard to find in 2026.

Tip #1: Use Medfinder to Search for Availability

Medfinder is a free tool that helps patients locate medications that are in stock at pharmacies and healthcare facilities near them. Here's how to use it:

1. Go to medfinder.com
2. Search for "Amphotericin B"
3. Enter your location
4. Review the results showing which facilities currently have supply

Medfinder pulls real-time data, so you'll get the most current picture of what's available in your area. This is especially useful for medications like Amphotericin B where stock can change daily.

For a step-by-step walkthrough, see our guide on how to check if a pharmacy has Amphotericin B in stock.

Tip #2: Contact Hospital Pharmacies and Specialty Infusion Centers

Unlike most medications that you pick up at a retail pharmacy, Amphotericin B is almost always administered in a hospital or infusion center setting. This means your search should focus on hospital pharmacies and specialty infusion centers rather than your local CVS or Walgreens.

Here's what to do:

• Ask your prescribing physician to check inventory across their hospital network. Large health systems often share supply between facilities.
• Call specialty pharmacies that handle injectable medications. Companies like Option Care Health, BioScrip, and PharMerica specialize in IV medications.
• Contact academic medical centers in your area. Major university hospitals typically maintain larger inventories and may have access to supply that community hospitals don't.
• Try independent hospital pharmacies — smaller hospitals sometimes have stock that larger systems have already depleted.

Tip #3: Timing and Persistence Matter

Drug shortages are dynamic. A hospital that was out of stock last week may have received a new shipment. Here are some timing strategies:

• Check early in the week — many pharmacies receive shipments on Monday or Tuesday.
• Call first thing in the morning — pharmacy staff can check their inventory before the day gets busy.
• Ask to be put on a waiting list — some hospital pharmacies maintain lists and will notify you when new stock arrives.
• Follow up regularly — supply situations can change quickly. What was unavailable on Friday might be in stock by Wednesday.

What If You Still Can't Find Amphotericin B?

If your search isn't turning up results, don't panic. Here are additional options:

Ask About Alternative Formulations

If the conventional deoxycholate form is unavailable, your doctor may switch you to liposomal Amphotericin B (AmBisome), which has been less affected by the shortage. It's more expensive — potentially $300 to $1,200+ per vial compared to about $49 to $70 for the conventional form — but your insurance may cover it, especially during a documented shortage.

Discuss Alternative Medications

Depending on your specific infection, your infectious disease specialist may consider alternative antifungal medications such as:

• Voriconazole — now preferred first-line for invasive aspergillosis
• Caspofungin — an echinocandin with fewer renal side effects
• Fluconazole — effective for many Candida infections
• Micafungin — another echinocandin alternative

Learn more about these options in our article on alternatives to Amphotericin B.

Contact Your State Health Department

During critical drug shortages, state health departments sometimes coordinate medication distribution or maintain emergency stockpiles. It's worth a call to ask about resources in your state.

Ask Your Doctor About Compassionate Use

In rare cases, manufacturers or the FDA may facilitate access to medications through compassionate use or emergency distribution programs. Your physician can contact the FDA's Drug Shortage Staff or the manufacturer directly.

Tips for Caregivers

If you're helping a loved one find Amphotericin B, here are some extra things you can do:

• Keep a log of every pharmacy and hospital you contact, including the date, who you spoke with, and what they said about inventory.
• Coordinate with the medical team — let the prescribing doctor and hospital pharmacist know you're actively searching. They may have contacts at other facilities.
• Document the shortage — if your insurance is pushing back on covering a more expensive formulation, having documentation of the shortage can support prior authorization requests.

Final Thoughts

Finding Amphotericin B during a shortage takes effort, but it's possible. Start with Medfinder to check real-time availability, then work through hospital pharmacies, specialty infusion centers, and your medical team's network. If the conventional form isn't available, liposomal Amphotericin B or alternative antifungals may be viable options.

The most important thing is to stay in close communication with your healthcare team. They understand the urgency and can help navigate the shortage on your behalf. For more information on the ongoing supply situation, visit our 2026 shortage update.