Your Patients Need Clobazam — Here's How to Help Them Get It

As a prescriber, few things are more frustrating than writing a prescription you know your patient needs, only to learn they can't fill it. For patients on Clobazam — particularly those managing Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) — a missed refill isn't just an inconvenience. It's a potential medical emergency.

Clobazam (Onfi, Sympazan) has experienced intermittent supply disruptions that continue into 2026, leaving patients and caregivers struggling to find their medication. As a provider, you're in a unique position to help bridge the gap between prescription and access.

This guide offers practical, actionable steps to help your patients find Clobazam in stock and maintain seizure control.

Current Availability Overview

Understanding the current supply landscape will help you guide patients effectively:

• Generic Clobazam tablets (5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg): Most widely available formulation, though pharmacy-level stock is inconsistent
• Oral suspension (2.5 mg/mL): Most supply-constrained formulation; critical for pediatric patients who cannot swallow tablets
• Sympazan oral film (5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg): Alternative delivery method with potentially better availability through specialty pharmacy channels
• Brand Onfi: Largely replaced by generics; limited availability

Supply varies significantly by region and pharmacy type. Large chain pharmacies with automated inventory systems may not stock Clobazam if local demand is low, while independent and specialty pharmacies often maintain more reliable inventory.

Why Patients Can't Find Clobazam

Several factors contribute to the access problem your patients face:

1. Limited generic manufacturers: Fewer companies produce Clobazam compared to higher-volume medications, making the supply more vulnerable to disruptions
2. Controlled substance regulations: DEA Schedule IV status means production quotas, ordering restrictions, and pharmacy allocation limits
3. Manufacturing disruptions: Ongoing raw material and production issues have affected generic supply since 2020
4. Pharmacy stocking algorithms: Chain pharmacies stock based on location-specific demand, so many locations simply don't carry Clobazam
5. Distribution allocation: Wholesalers allocate based on purchase history, creating a chicken-and-egg problem for pharmacies trying to start stocking it

For a detailed analysis, see our provider shortage briefing.

5 Steps to Help Your Patients Find Clobazam

Step 1: Use Real-Time Pharmacy Search Tools

Medfinder for Providers allows you and your staff to search for Clobazam availability at pharmacies near your patient's location in real time. Instead of sending a prescription to a pharmacy that may not have stock, you can identify a pharmacy that does before the patient leaves your office.

Consider integrating a quick Medfinder check into your workflow for all Clobazam prescriptions. This single step can prevent days of frustration for your patients.

Step 2: Prescribe Generic and Allow Formulation Flexibility

Prescribing generic Clobazam (rather than brand-name Onfi) gives pharmacies maximum flexibility to fill from whatever manufacturer has available stock. Additionally:

• If the patient can take tablets, prescribe tablets as the primary formulation
• Note in the chart whether the patient can also use the oral suspension or Sympazan film
• If one formulation is unavailable, having a documented alternative in the chart speeds up the process of sending a new prescription

Step 3: Build a Pharmacy Network

Identify 2–3 pharmacies in your area that reliably stock Clobazam:

• Independent pharmacies with flexible wholesaler relationships
• Specialty pharmacies focused on neurology or epilepsy
• Hospital outpatient pharmacies that may carry specialty medications

Share this list with your patients and clinical staff. Having pre-identified backup pharmacies saves critical time when the primary pharmacy is out of stock.

Step 4: Proactively Discuss Supply at Every Visit

Add a brief supply check to your appointment workflow:

• "Have you had any trouble filling your Clobazam prescription?"
• "Do you have at least a two-week supply at home?"
• "Do you know which pharmacy you'll use for your next refill?"

Early identification of supply problems gives you time to act before the patient runs out. Document any supply concerns in the chart.

Step 5: Have a Contingency Plan Documented

For every patient on Clobazam, consider documenting a contingency plan in the chart:

• Backup formulation: Can the patient switch to tablets, suspension, or film?
• Backup pharmacy: 1–2 alternative pharmacies with known stock
• Taper protocol: If a complete supply interruption occurs, a pre-documented taper plan allows faster clinical response
• Alternative medication: Which therapeutic alternative would be first-line for this specific patient?

Having this plan ready means you or your covering provider can act quickly if the patient calls with a supply emergency.

Therapeutic Alternatives to Consider

When Clobazam is truly unavailable and a medication change is necessary, consider these alternatives based on the patient's clinical profile:

• Clonazepam (Klonopin): Closest pharmacologic match; more sedating; widely available; $10–$30/month generic
• Rufinamide (Banzel): FDA-approved for LGS; not a controlled substance; $50–$200/month generic
• Valproic Acid (Depakote): Broad-spectrum; effective in LGS; requires monitoring; $15–$50/month
• Lamotrigine (Lamictal): Approved for LGS; well tolerated; requires slow titration; $10–$40/month

For patient-facing information on alternatives, share: Alternatives to Clobazam.

Workflow Tips for Your Practice

For Clinical Staff

• Train staff to check Medfinder before sending Clobazam prescriptions
• Maintain a list of pharmacies that reliably stock Clobazam
• Flag Clobazam patients in your scheduling system so supply discussions happen at every visit

For Prescription Management

• Send prescriptions electronically to allow faster pharmacy transfers if needed
• Avoid writing for quantities that exceed typical wholesaler allocations
• Consider 90-day prescriptions through specialty pharmacies when stock is available to reduce refill frequency

For Patient Education

Share these resources with your patients:

• How to Find Clobazam in Stock Near You
• How to Save Money on Clobazam
• Clobazam Side Effects: What to Expect

Cost Assistance for Your Patients

Many patients face both availability and affordability challenges simultaneously. Resources to share:

• Discount cards: GoodRx, SingleCare, RxSaver — can reduce generic Clobazam to $50–$90 per month
• Lundbeck Patient Assistance Program: For uninsured/underinsured patients on Onfi
• Aquestive Therapeutics: Savings programs for Sympazan
• NeedyMeds and RxAssist: Directories of patient assistance programs
• Epilepsy Foundation: Medication assistance resources

For the full cost-saving guide to share with patients: How to Save Money on Clobazam. For the provider-focused savings guide: How to Help Patients Save Money on Clobazam.

Final Thoughts

The Clobazam supply situation demands proactive management from prescribers. By integrating availability checks into your workflow, building relationships with reliable pharmacies, documenting contingency plans, and empowering patients with the right tools and resources, you can significantly reduce the risk of treatment interruptions.

Your patients depend on consistent seizure control. A few minutes of proactive planning at each visit can prevent days of anxiety and potential seizure emergencies down the line.

Visit medfinder.com/providers to access real-time pharmacy search tools for your practice.