Your Patients Can't Find Depo-Medrol — Here's How You Can Help

The Methylprednisolone Acetate injection shortage has put providers in a difficult position. Patients are showing up for scheduled injections only to learn the medication isn't available. Phone calls pile up. Appointments get rescheduled. And patients who are in pain feel like no one can help.

As a provider, you're uniquely positioned to make this easier. This guide walks you through practical steps to help your patients access Depo-Medrol — or an appropriate alternative — during the shortage.

Current Availability

As of early 2026, Depo-Medrol (Methylprednisolone Acetate injection) remains in intermittent shortage. Key details:

• Most affected: 80 mg/mL vials — limited availability at many distributors
• Moderately affected: 40 mg/mL vials — intermittent supply
• Least affected: 20 mg/mL vials — generally more available
• Manufacturers: Pfizer (brand Depo-Medrol) and Sandoz (generic) are both affected

Supply has been improving since late 2025, but availability remains inconsistent across regions and distributors. For the latest shortage details, see our provider briefing: Depo-Medrol Shortage: What Providers and Prescribers Need to Know in 2026.

Why Patients Can't Find It

Understanding the patient experience helps you address their concerns:

• Pharmacy-level stockouts: Retail pharmacies, especially large chains, allocate limited supplies across hundreds of locations, so individual stores frequently run out
• No visibility into supply: Patients have no way to see which pharmacies have stock without calling each one individually
• Confusion about formulations: Patients may not realize Depo-Medrol comes in multiple strengths, or that generic Methylprednisolone Acetate is the same medication
• Provider-administered vs. pharmacy-dispensed: Some patients don't realize their doctor's office may stock the medication directly

What Providers Can Do: 5 Practical Steps

Step 1: Check Your Own Supply First

If your practice stocks injectable corticosteroids (as most rheumatology, orthopedic, sports medicine, pain management, and dermatology practices do), check with your purchasing team or medical supplier first. Medical distributors like McKesson, Cardinal Health, and AmerisourceBergen may have different allocation availability than retail pharmacy channels.

If your preferred strength is unavailable, consider whether a different strength can work. For example, a 40 mg/mL vial may substitute for an 80 mg/mL vial at adjusted volume for many indications.

Step 2: Direct Patients to Medfinder

Recommend Medfinder to your patients and your front-desk staff. Medfinder tracks real-time medication availability across pharmacies, so patients (and staff calling on their behalf) can quickly identify which locations have Methylprednisolone Acetate in stock.

Consider adding Medfinder to your patient handouts or post-visit instructions for patients who need Depo-Medrol filled externally.

Step 3: Expand Your Pharmacy Network

If your practice sends prescriptions to retail pharmacies, broaden the options you suggest to patients:

• Independent pharmacies — Often have different wholesaler relationships and may carry stock when chains don't
• Hospital outpatient pharmacies — May have institutional supply channels
• Specialty pharmacies — Some carry injectable medications that standard retail pharmacies don't stock
• Compounding pharmacies — As a last resort, a compounding pharmacy may be able to prepare Methylprednisolone Acetate, though this comes with additional quality considerations

Step 4: Communicate Proactively

Don't wait for patients to discover the shortage at the pharmacy counter. Proactive communication reduces frustration and no-shows:

• Check stock availability before the patient's appointment
• If Depo-Medrol isn't available, contact the patient to discuss alternatives before they come in
• Train front-desk staff to flag upcoming injection appointments and verify supply in advance
• Consider a brief patient-facing notice (website, patient portal, or waiting room) about the shortage and what you're doing about it

Step 5: Have a Substitution Protocol Ready

Develop a simple protocol for corticosteroid substitution during shortages. This saves clinical time and ensures consistency:

• First-line substitute: Kenalog (Triamcinolone Acetonide) 40 mg/mL — most directly comparable for joint and soft tissue injections
• Second-line substitute: Celestone Soluspan (Betamethasone) — dual rapid-and-depot action
• For inflammatory arthritis (intra-articular): Aristospan (Triamcinolone Hexacetonide) 20 mg/mL — may offer longer duration of joint relief
• For acute/urgent situations: Solu-Medrol (Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate) IV/IM — rapid onset but shorter duration

Document the substitution rationale in each patient's chart.

Alternatives at a Glance

Here's a quick reference for the most common alternatives:

• Kenalog (Triamcinolone Acetonide) 10 mg/mL or 40 mg/mL — Widely available. Similar depot effect. Generic cost: ~$5–$20/vial.
• Celestone Soluspan (Betamethasone) 6 mg/mL — Rapid + long-acting. Brand cost: ~$15–$50/vial. Generic available.
• Aristospan (Triamcinolone Hexacetonide) 20 mg/mL — Excellent for intra-articular use. Limited availability. Cost: ~$30–$80/vial.
• Solu-Medrol (Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate) — IV/IM for acute use only. Not a depot formulation. Cost: ~$10–$50/vial.

For a detailed comparison to share with patients, see: Alternatives to Depo-Medrol If You Can't Fill Your Prescription.

Workflow Tips

Here are a few workflow adjustments that can help your practice manage the shortage more efficiently:

Inventory Tracking

Designate one staff member to monitor corticosteroid inventory weekly. When supply of Depo-Medrol or its alternatives drops below a two-week buffer, trigger a reorder immediately. Consider ordering from multiple distributors to improve your chances.

Batch Ordering

If your practice uses Depo-Medrol regularly, place standing orders with your medical supplier rather than ordering on an as-needed basis. This may improve your allocation priority during shortages.

Patient Communication Templates

Create template messages (phone script, patient portal message, or printed handout) explaining the shortage and what the patient should do. This saves time and ensures consistent communication across your team. Include a link to Medfinder and your practice's preferred alternatives.

Cross-Specialty Coordination

If you work in a multi-specialty group, coordinate with colleagues who also use injectable corticosteroids. Pooling information about supply availability and sharing stock when possible can help ensure patients across the practice get the care they need.

Final Thoughts

The Depo-Medrol shortage is a logistics problem, and logistics problems have solutions. By checking your own supply, directing patients to Medfinder, expanding your pharmacy network, communicating proactively, and having a clear substitution protocol, you can keep your patients' care on track even when supply is tight.

For the latest on the shortage, see: Depo-Medrol Shortage: What Providers and Prescribers Need to Know in 2026.