Ilevro Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

If you've been prescribed Ilevro (nepafenac ophthalmic suspension 0.3%) and your pharmacy can't fill it, you may be wondering: is there a shortage? Here's everything you need to know about Ilevro availability in 2026.

Is Ilevro Currently in Shortage?

As of 2026, Ilevro is not on the FDA's official drug shortage list. Harrow, the current manufacturer of Ilevro, states that the medication is widely available with strong formulary coverage at most insurance plans. The FDA drug shortage database, maintained at fda.gov/drug-shortages, does not include Ilevro as of this writing.

However, a drug not being in an official national shortage doesn't mean it's effortless to find at your local pharmacy. Many patients experience what could be described as localized stock-outs — their neighborhood pharmacy simply doesn't have it on the shelf at that moment.

Why Might Your Pharmacy Not Have Ilevro?

There are several reasons a pharmacy may not have Ilevro in stock even when there's no national shortage:

Brand-name only, no generic: With no generic version available, all stock comes from a single manufacturer (Harrow). There's no secondary supplier to fill gaps.

Specialty stocking patterns: Not all retail pharmacies stock specialty ophthalmic drugs proactively. Many wait for a specific prescription to arrive before ordering.

Demand spikes: Cataract surgery is the most common surgical procedure in the U.S., with over 4 million procedures annually. Demand for Ilevro can spike in certain regions or seasons, temporarily outpacing supply at individual pharmacies.

High cost deterrence: Retail prices of $380–$482 mean some patients don't fill their prescriptions, leading some pharmacies to stock less.

A Brief History of Ilevro Availability

Ilevro was originally developed by Alcon and launched in January 2013. It was subsequently acquired by Harrow (then Harrow Eye) as part of a portfolio of ophthalmology drugs. Harrow now markets Ilevro as part of its commercial ophthalmology portfolio and has made it a focus of its Access and Affordability Program, including a partnership with GoodRx announced in November 2024 to improve patient access through discounted cash-pay pricing.

The drug has remained on the market continuously since 2013, with no major production outages or FDA-declared shortages on record.

What Should You Do If Your Pharmacy Says It's Out of Stock?

Don't wait. Your pre-surgical dose timing matters. If your surgery is in less than two days, call your ophthalmologist's office immediately.

Search other pharmacies. Stock varies significantly from store to store. Pharmacies near eye surgery centers often carry Ilevro reliably.

Use medfinder. medfinder calls pharmacies near you to verify real-time stock, saving you hours of phone calls.

Ask about alternatives. Your surgeon may prescribe bromfenac, ketorolac, or another equivalent NSAID if Ilevro can't be located quickly.

Will Ilevro Go Into Shortage in the Future?

Brand-name drugs like Ilevro are generally less vulnerable to the kinds of shortages that affect generic sterile injectables (which make up the majority of FDA shortage listings). As of 2026, there are no known supply disruptions, and Harrow has expressed commitment to maintaining access for their ophthalmology portfolio.

That said, the broader pharmaceutical supply chain remains under stress. Proposed tariffs on imported pharmaceutical ingredients, ongoing manufacturing pressures, and demand fluctuations mean any drug can face localized availability challenges. The best approach is to fill your Ilevro prescription early — ideally 3-5 days before you need to start using it.

The Bottom Line

Ilevro is not in a national shortage as of 2026. If you're having trouble filling your prescription, the issue is most likely a localized stock problem rather than a systemic shortage. Read our guide on how to find Ilevro in stock near you for step-by-step instructions on locating it quickly.