When Patients Can't Find Sutab, It Becomes Your Problem Too

As a gastroenterologist or prescribing provider, you've likely experienced this scenario: a patient calls the day before their colonoscopy to say the pharmacy doesn't have Sutab. The result is a scramble — rewriting prescriptions, re-educating patients on a new prep, and sometimes rescheduling the procedure altogether.

Sutab (Sodium Sulfate, Magnesium Sulfate, and Potassium Chloride tablets) is the only tablet-form colonoscopy prep available, and patient demand continues to grow. But as a single-source brand product with limited insurance coverage, availability can be inconsistent. This guide offers a practical, step-by-step approach to helping your patients find Sutab while protecting your procedure schedule.

Current Sutab Availability

As of early 2026, Sutab is not listed on the FDA's drug shortage database. Braintree Laboratories continues to manufacture and distribute the product. However, pharmacy-level availability varies significantly:

• Large chain pharmacies may not stock Sutab at every location due to limited insurance coverage and variable demand
• Independent pharmacies may carry it or be willing to special-order it but may not keep it routinely in stock
• Regional availability differs — urban areas tend to have more consistent supply than rural locations
• Distribution timing can create temporary gaps even when overall supply is adequate

Why Patients Can't Find Sutab

Understanding the root causes helps you anticipate and address the problem:

1. No generic exists: Sutab is manufactured solely by Braintree Laboratories. Without generic competition, supply is entirely dependent on one production facility.
2. Insurance barriers: Many plans (including most Medicare Part D and Medicaid programs) don't cover Sutab, which reduces pharmacy stocking incentives.
3. Rising demand: Patient preference for a tablet prep has driven significant demand growth since Sutab's 2020 launch.
4. Last-minute prescribing: When prescriptions are sent close to the procedure date, there's no buffer time for the pharmacy to order stock.

What Providers Can Do: 5 Steps

Step 1: Check Availability Before Prescribing

Use Medfinder for Providers to check real-time pharmacy stock before sending the Sutab prescription. This takes seconds and can prevent the entire downstream chain of problems. Direct the prescription to a pharmacy that actually has it in stock.

Step 2: Send Prescriptions Early

Build Sutab prescribing into your scheduling workflow, not your pre-procedure workflow. When a colonoscopy is booked — whether that's 2 weeks or 2 months out — send the prep prescription at the same time. This gives patients and pharmacies maximum time to fill it.

Step 3: Maintain a Local Pharmacy List

Track which pharmacies in your area reliably stock Sutab. Share this list with your scheduling and nursing staff so they can proactively direct patients. Update the list monthly, as pharmacy inventory changes over time.

Include both chain and independent pharmacies. Independent pharmacies are often more willing to special-order Sutab and may have it within 1–2 business days.

Step 4: Educate Patients Proactively

Include the following in your pre-colonoscopy patient materials:

• A note that Sutab may not be available at all pharmacies
• A recommendation to fill the prescription as soon as it's sent
• A link to Medfinder for self-service stock checking
• Instructions to call your office if they can't find it, rather than waiting until the day before

Step 5: Have a Backup Protocol

Establish a standard operating procedure for Sutab unavailability:

• Designate a backup prep (e.g., Suprep or generic GoLYTELY) that staff can prescribe quickly
• Consider prescribing the backup simultaneously, with instructions to fill only if Sutab is unavailable
• Prepare patient education handouts for the backup prep so counseling can be done efficiently

Alternative Bowel Preparations

When a switch is necessary, here are the most commonly used alternatives:

• Suprep Bowel Prep Kit: Low-volume sulfate-based liquid. Closest mechanism to Sutab. Generic versions available ($60–$120). Brand ~$150–$250.
• GoLYTELY / NuLYTELY: PEG-based high-volume liquid. Generic is $15–$40 and covered by essentially all plans. The go-to for cost-sensitive patients.
• Clenpiq: Very low-volume (5.4 oz per dose), ready-to-drink, cranberry-flavored. Brand only, $150–$300.
• Suflave: Newer low-volume liquid from Braintree Laboratories. Includes flavor enhancer. Coverage varies.

For a detailed comparison to share with patients, see: Alternatives to Sutab.

Workflow Tips for Your Practice

Integrate Stock Checking Into Scheduling

When your scheduling team books a colonoscopy, the Sutab prescription and availability check should be part of that same workflow — not a separate step days later. Use Medfinder for Providers as part of this process.

Track Sutab-Related Disruptions

If you're not already tracking how often Sutab unavailability causes prescription changes, patient callbacks, or procedure delays, start now. This data helps you:

• Justify workflow changes to practice leadership
• Identify whether the problem is getting better or worse
• Decide whether to make an alternative prep the default

Consider Cost Counseling

Many patients don't realize Sutab costs around $243 out of pocket until they arrive at the pharmacy. Proactive cost counseling — including information about the manufacturer copay card and discount programs — can prevent sticker shock and improve fill rates. Direct patients to our guide: How to Help Patients Save Money on Sutab.

Final Thoughts

Sutab availability is a manageable challenge when you build the right systems. Check stock before prescribing, send prescriptions early, maintain a pharmacy list, educate patients, and have a backup plan. These five steps will protect your schedule and ensure patients get the bowel prep they need — whether that's Sutab or an effective alternative.

For a broader look at the supply situation, see our provider briefing: Sutab Shortage: What Providers and Prescribers Need to Know in 2026.