Provider Briefing: Klonopin (Clonazepam) Shortage in 2026

The Clonazepam supply disruption that began in 2023 continues to affect patient access in 2026. While the situation has improved compared to peak shortage periods, intermittent availability gaps persist — particularly for specific strengths and manufacturers. This article provides a concise overview for prescribers navigating the current landscape.

Shortage Timeline

Understanding the progression of the shortage helps contextualize where we are now:

• March 2023: ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) first listed Clonazepam oral tablets as being in shortage. Multiple generic manufacturers reported supply disruptions.
• 2023-2024: Shortage intensified. Teva Pharmaceuticals — one of the largest generic Clonazepam producers — placed 0.5 mg and 2 mg tablets on back order. Other manufacturers including Accord and Solco Healthcare experienced similar intermittent supply issues.
• 2025: Gradual improvement. Some manufacturers reverified certain strengths as available. Solco Healthcare reverified availability as of August 2025.
• Early 2026: Shortage status remains "current" per ASHP. Teva's 0.5 mg and 2 mg tablets continue on intermittent back order. Accord reverified some strengths as available in January 2026. Overall supply is better but not normalized.

Prescribing Implications

The shortage creates several clinical challenges for prescribers:

Continuity of Care Risks

Benzodiazepine therapy interruptions carry meaningful clinical risk. Abrupt discontinuation of Clonazepam can precipitate withdrawal seizures, rebound anxiety, and other serious adverse events. Patients who cannot fill prescriptions in a timely manner face these risks through no fault of their own.

Therapeutic Substitution Considerations

When Clonazepam is unavailable, providers must weigh the risks and benefits of therapeutic substitution. Key considerations include:

• Indication-specific alternatives: For seizure disorders, Clobazam (Onfi) is the most directly comparable benzodiazepine anticonvulsant. For panic disorder, Lorazepam (Ativan) or Alprazolam (Xanax) are commonly used substitutes.
• Pharmacokinetic differences: Clonazepam has a half-life of 30 to 40 hours. Switching to shorter-acting agents (Alprazolam: 6-12 hours, Lorazepam: 10-20 hours) requires dosing adjustment and more frequent administration.
• Equivalent dosing: Approximate benzodiazepine equivalencies — 0.5 mg Clonazepam ≈ 0.5 mg Alprazolam ≈ 1 mg Lorazepam ≈ 10 mg Diazepam — should be used as starting guides, not absolute conversions. Individual patient response varies.
• Withdrawal management: If transitioning between benzodiazepines, cross-titration with overlapping therapy helps prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Prescription Flexibility

Consider these practical measures when writing prescriptions during the shortage:

• Specify "substitution permitted" or allow generic dispensing from any manufacturer
• Consider writing for alternative strengths if the patient's usual strength is unavailable (e.g., two 0.5 mg tablets instead of one 1 mg tablet)
• Include the orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) formulation as an acceptable alternative when appropriate
• Avoid brand-only prescriptions unless clinically necessary — brand Klonopin is significantly more expensive and also subject to supply constraints

Current Availability Picture

The availability landscape varies by manufacturer, strength, and geography:

• 0.5 mg tablets: Most widely affected. Teva still on intermittent back order. Accord and some other manufacturers have resumed supply.
• 1 mg tablets: Generally better availability than 0.5 mg and 2 mg strengths.
• 2 mg tablets: Teva remains on intermittent back order. Other manufacturers have partially restored supply.
• ODT formulations: Generally less affected by the shortage and worth considering as an alternative.

Independent pharmacies with multiple wholesaler relationships often have better success sourcing Clonazepam than large chain pharmacies with centralized procurement.

Cost and Access Considerations

For patients experiencing financial barriers in addition to supply issues:

• Generic Clonazepam retail price: $25 to $45 for 30 tablets (0.5 mg) without insurance
• With discount programs: $8 to $15 with GoodRx, SingleCare, or similar coupon cards
• Brand Klonopin: $100 to $300+ out of pocket
• Insurance coverage: Generic Clonazepam is typically Tier 1 on most formularies. Brand may require prior authorization.

Direct patients who are struggling with cost to our savings guide: how to save money on Klonopin.

Tools and Resources for Providers

Several resources can help you support patients during this shortage:

• Medfinder for Providers: Real-time pharmacy availability search. Direct patients here or use it yourself to identify pharmacies with current stock.
• ASHP Drug Shortage Database: Track official shortage status and manufacturer updates at ashp.org/drug-shortages
• FDA Drug Shortages page: accessdata.fda.gov provides shortage detail and manufacturer contact information
• NeedyMeds / RxAssist: Patient assistance program databases for patients with financial barriers

Looking Ahead

The Clonazepam shortage appears to be on a gradual improvement trajectory, but full resolution remains uncertain. Key factors to watch:

• Whether Teva fully resumes production across all strengths
• DEA production quota adjustments for 2026-2027
• Entry of additional generic manufacturers into the market
• Broader benzodiazepine supply trends (other agents in this class have also experienced intermittent shortages)

For now, proactive prescribing — including flexibility on strength, formulation, and manufacturer — combined with patient education on pharmacy sourcing strategies offers the best path forward.

Final Thoughts

The Clonazepam shortage requires a collaborative approach between prescribers, pharmacists, and patients. Staying informed on current supply, maintaining prescribing flexibility, and directing patients to tools like Medfinder can help ensure continuity of care during a challenging period.

For the patient-facing version of this update, see our article on what patients need to know about the Klonopin shortage in 2026.