Kerendia Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

If you take Kerendia (Finerenone) for chronic kidney disease or heart failure, you may have heard concerns about a potential shortage — or experienced difficulty getting your prescription filled. In this article, we'll give you the latest update on Kerendia availability in 2026 and explain what's really going on.

Is Kerendia Still in Shortage?

As of early 2026, Kerendia is not listed on the FDA Drug Shortage database. This means there is no official national shortage of Finerenone. Bayer, the sole manufacturer, continues to produce and distribute Kerendia across the United States.

However, that doesn't mean you'll find it at every pharmacy. Many patients report difficulty locating Kerendia at their local pharmacy, and that experience can feel a lot like a shortage — even when the drug is technically available through the supply chain.

Why Is Kerendia Hard to Find?

Even without a formal shortage, several factors make Kerendia harder to find than more common medications:

1. It's a Specialty Brand-Name Drug

Kerendia is a brand-name medication with no generic equivalent. There is only one manufacturer (Bayer), which means there's no competition to increase supply. Pharmacies stock medications based on local demand, and many simply don't carry Kerendia regularly because they don't fill enough prescriptions for it.

2. High Cost Discourages Stocking

At $670 to $950 for a 30-day supply without insurance, Kerendia is an expensive medication for pharmacies to keep in inventory. Smaller pharmacies, in particular, may be reluctant to stock a costly drug that might sit on the shelf for weeks.

3. Prior Authorization Creates Delays

Most insurance plans require prior authorization before covering Kerendia. This process can take days or even weeks, and during that time, the pharmacy may not order the medication until approval comes through. This creates the impression of a shortage when it's really an insurance bottleneck.

4. Growing Prescribing Volume

Since its approval in 2021, Kerendia has gained recognition among nephrologists, cardiologists, and endocrinologists. As more providers prescribe it — especially after its expanded indication for heart failure — demand has increased. Not all pharmacies have adjusted their ordering to match this growth.

For a deeper explanation, read our article on why Kerendia is so hard to find.

How Much Does Kerendia Cost in 2026?

The cost of Kerendia without insurance ranges from approximately $670 to $950 for 30 tablets (a one-month supply), depending on the pharmacy and dosage. With insurance, your copay will vary depending on your plan:

• Commercial insurance: Kerendia is typically on Tier 3 or Tier 4, with copays ranging from $30 to $100+ per month depending on your plan.
• Medicare Part D: Coverage varies by plan. Patients who qualify for Medicare's Extra Help program may pay $10 or less per month.
• Bayer Savings Card: Eligible commercially insured patients can use Bayer's Kerendia Savings Card to reduce their copay to as low as $0 per month.

For all the details on saving money, check out our complete guide: How to Save Money on Kerendia in 2026.

Are There New Options for Patients in 2026?

While there is still no generic version of Finerenone (the patent is expected to expire around 2029), there are some developments worth noting:

• Expanded indications: Kerendia has been approved for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF/HFmrEF), which means more patients may benefit from it.
• SGLT2 inhibitor combinations: Many doctors now prescribe Kerendia alongside SGLT2 inhibitors like Farxiga (Dapagliflozin) or Jardiance (Empagliflozin) for maximum kidney and heart protection.
• Alternatives remain available: If you truly cannot access Kerendia, older MRAs like Spironolactone and Eplerenone are widely available as generics. See our full guide on alternatives to Kerendia.

How to Find Kerendia in Stock

Here are the best strategies for locating Kerendia in 2026:

1. Use Medfinder: Go to medfinder.com to search for pharmacies near you that have Kerendia in stock right now.
2. Try specialty pharmacies: These pharmacies specialize in complex medications and are more likely to carry Kerendia.
3. Ask about mail-order: Your insurance plan's mail-order pharmacy may have Kerendia available and can ship it directly to you.
4. Call independent pharmacies: Local independent pharmacies often have more flexibility in ordering specialty drugs.
5. Contact Bayer: Bayer's patient support program can help you locate pharmacies with Kerendia in stock.

For a complete walkthrough, read how to find Kerendia in stock near you.

Final Thoughts

Kerendia is not in a formal shortage in 2026, but the combination of being a high-cost, single-source brand-name drug means that finding it at your local pharmacy can still be a challenge. The key is to plan ahead, use tools like Medfinder, and work with your doctor and pharmacist to ensure you don't miss doses.

If you're new to Kerendia, learn more about it in our comprehensive guide: What Is Kerendia? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know. And if side effects are a concern, read our article on Kerendia side effects.