Your Pharmacy Is Out of Prednisolone — Now What?

Getting told your medication is out of stock is stressful, especially when it's something you or your child needs right away. Prednisolone — a corticosteroid used for asthma attacks, allergic reactions, autoimmune conditions, and more — has been in and out of shortage for several years now, particularly the liquid formulation used by children.

The good news: Prednisolone is still being manufactured, and it is available in many pharmacies. You just need to know where to look. Here are three proven strategies to find it, plus what to do if you still come up empty.

Tip 1: Use Medfinder to Search Real-Time Pharmacy Stock

The fastest way to find Prednisolone near you is to use Medfinder. Here's how it works:

1. Go to medfinder.com
2. Search for "Prednisolone"
3. Enter your zip code
4. See which pharmacies near you currently have it in stock

Medfinder checks availability across pharmacies in your area, saving you the time and frustration of calling around. It covers chain pharmacies, independent pharmacies, and specialty locations. This is especially valuable when you need the oral solution — the formulation most often in short supply.

If you're a provider helping patients find Prednisolone, our provider's guide has additional tools and workflow tips.

Tip 2: Call Independent and Compounding Pharmacies

When the big chain pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid) are out, independent pharmacies often still have stock. Why? They frequently use different wholesale distributors than the chains, which means they may have access to supply that the big retailers don't.

Here's how to find independent pharmacies near you:

• Search Google Maps for "independent pharmacy near me"
• Check the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) directory
• Ask your doctor's office — they often know which local pharmacies carry hard-to-find medications

Compounding pharmacies are another option. These specialty pharmacies can prepare Prednisolone oral solution from bulk ingredients. This is particularly useful during shortages of the commercially manufactured liquid. Compounded medications may cost more (typically $30-$80 for a course), but they're a reliable fallback when other options are exhausted. Ask your prescriber to write a compounding prescription if needed.

Tip 3: Time Your Pharmacy Visits Strategically

Pharmacies receive shipments from their wholesalers on a regular schedule — often two to three times per week. A few timing tricks can improve your odds:

• Call ahead on delivery days. Ask your pharmacist which days they receive new stock. Many pharmacies get deliveries Tuesday through Thursday.
• Go early. New inventory gets put away in the morning. Calling or visiting before noon gives you the best shot.
• Avoid peak respiratory season rushes. During fall and winter, demand for Prednisolone liquid spikes because of pediatric asthma and croup cases. If your prescription allows, try to fill slightly ahead of when you'll run out rather than waiting until the last minute.
• Ask the pharmacist to reserve it. If a shipment is expected in a day or two, many pharmacists will hold a bottle for you once it arrives. Just ask.

What If You Still Can't Find Prednisolone?

If you've tried the tips above and Prednisolone is still nowhere to be found, here are your next steps:

Talk to Your Doctor About Alternatives

Several other corticosteroids can treat the same conditions as Prednisolone. Your doctor may be able to prescribe Prednisone (widely available in tablet form), Dexamethasone (a more potent steroid often available as liquid), or Methylprednisolone. Each has different dosing and considerations, so don't switch on your own. Read more in our guide to alternatives to Prednisolone.

Check If Your Dose Can Be Adjusted

If the specific concentration of Prednisolone you need (say, 15 mg/5 mL) is unavailable, your pharmacist and doctor may be able to work together to adjust to a different concentration that is in stock. For example, the 5 mg/5 mL solution might be available even when the 15 mg/5 mL isn't — you'd just take a different volume.

Consider Mail-Order or Online Pharmacies

Mail-order pharmacies and services like Amazon Pharmacy, Costco Pharmacy, or specialty online pharmacies may have stock when local pharmacies don't. Shipping typically takes 1-3 days, so this works best when you can plan ahead.

Contact Your Insurance Company

If the shortage is preventing you from filling your prescription, your insurance company may authorize a different formulation or medication under an emergency override. Call the number on the back of your insurance card and explain the situation.

A Note on Cost

Generic Prednisolone is generally affordable — about $10 to $50 for a standard course without insurance. But during shortages, you might encounter higher prices at some pharmacies, or you might need a brand-name version like Orapred ODT that costs significantly more ($200-$600+). For money-saving strategies, check out our guide on how to save money on Prednisolone in 2026.

Final Thoughts

Finding Prednisolone in 2026 can take more effort than it should, but it's rarely impossible. Start with Medfinder to check real-time availability, branch out to independent and compounding pharmacies, and work with your doctor on a backup plan if needed.

If you're wondering why Prednisolone keeps running short in the first place, our article on why Prednisolone is so hard to find breaks down the supply chain issues behind the shortage. And for the latest on supply status, see our Prednisolone shortage update for 2026.