How to Find Colistin in Stock Near You (Tools + Tips)

Finding Colistin in Stock: It's Possible, But It Takes Work

If you've been told your pharmacy doesn't have Colistin — also known as Colistimethate Sodium or Coly-Mycin M — you're not alone. This last-resort polymyxin antibiotic has been in and out of shortage for years, and finding it in 2026 requires more effort than most medications.

But it is possible. In this guide, we'll walk you through the best tools and strategies to locate Colistin in stock near you.

Why Is Colistin Hard to Find?

Before diving into solutions, it helps to understand the problem. Colistin is made by only a few manufacturers worldwide, demand is climbing due to multidrug-resistant infections, and because it's a hospital injectable, it doesn't flow through the same supply chains as everyday prescriptions. For a deeper look, read our full explainer: Why Is Colistin So Hard to Find?

Tip #1: Use Medfinder to Search Real-Time Pharmacy Inventory

The fastest way to check if a pharmacy near you has Colistin is to use Medfinder. Medfinder scans pharmacy inventories and shows you which locations currently have your medication in stock.

Here's how to use it:

1. Go to medfinder.com
2. Type "Colistin" or "Colistimethate Sodium" in the search bar
3. Enter your location (zip code or city)
4. View results showing pharmacies with current stock

This is especially useful for hospital pharmacies and specialty pharmacies that carry injectable antibiotics. Instead of calling pharmacy after pharmacy, you get answers in seconds.

Tip #2: Check Specialty and Hospital Pharmacies

Colistin isn't a medication you'll typically find at a retail chain pharmacy. It's a hospital-use injectable that comes as a powder for reconstitution. Your best bets for finding it include:

• Hospital outpatient pharmacies: Large hospital systems often maintain stock of critical injectable antibiotics, even during shortages.
• Specialty infusion pharmacies: These pharmacies focus on IV medications and may have access to specialty distributors with Colistin supply.
• Academic medical center pharmacies: Teaching hospitals affiliated with universities often have larger formularies and more supply chain flexibility.
• Compounding pharmacies: In some cases, compounding pharmacies can prepare Colistin formulations, particularly for nebulized use in cystic fibrosis patients.

Don't limit your search to the big chains. Independent and specialty pharmacies often have connections to different wholesalers and may be able to source what the chains cannot.

Tip #3: Work Closely With Your Medical Team

Since Colistin is prescribed by infectious disease specialists and critical care doctors in hospital settings, your medical team is your strongest ally in finding supply. Here's how they can help:

• Hospital pharmacy sourcing: Hospital pharmacists have access to specialty drug distributors, group purchasing organizations (GPOs), and manufacturer direct channels that aren't available to retail pharmacies.
• Therapeutic interchange: If Colistin is unavailable, your infectious disease doctor can evaluate whether an alternative antibiotic like Polymyxin B or Amikacin could work for your specific infection.
• Emergency supply requests: In critical situations, hospitals can sometimes request emergency allocations directly from manufacturers like Xellia Pharmaceuticals.

If you're an outpatient needing Colistin for home infusion, ask your doctor's office to coordinate with a home infusion pharmacy that specializes in IV antibiotics.

What If You Still Can't Find Colistin?

If all local options are exhausted, consider these additional strategies:

• Expand your search radius: Use Medfinder to search in neighboring cities or states. Some hospital pharmacies may be willing to ship to other facilities.
• Contact the manufacturer: Xellia Pharmaceuticals and Par Pharmaceutical can sometimes direct you to distributors with remaining stock.
• Ask about clinical trials: For certain resistant infections, clinical trials may provide access to Colistin or newer alternative antibiotics. Your infectious disease specialist can check ClinicalTrials.gov.
• Check the ASHP shortage page: The ASHP drug shortage database provides updates on expected resupply dates and alternative therapy recommendations.

You can also stay informed with our Colistin shortage update for the latest availability information.

How to Check If a Pharmacy Has Colistin

For a step-by-step guide on verifying pharmacy stock before making trips, see our detailed guide: How to Check If a Pharmacy Has Colistin in Stock.

Final Thoughts

Finding Colistin in 2026 is challenging, but not impossible. The key is to use the right tools — like Medfinder — combine them with your medical team's resources, and be willing to look beyond your usual pharmacy. Colistin is a life-saving medication, and with persistence and the right approach, you can find it.

If you're also concerned about the cost of Colistin, read our guide on coupons, discounts, and patient assistance programs that can help.