Provider Briefing: Labetalol Supply in 2026

For clinicians prescribing Labetalol — particularly in obstetrics, cardiology, internal medicine, and emergency medicine — medication availability directly affects patient outcomes. Uncontrolled hypertension, especially in pregnancy, carries serious risks. When a first-line antihypertensive isn't available at the pharmacy, it creates clinical and logistical challenges that fall on both the provider and the patient.

This briefing covers the current state of Labetalol availability, the factors driving supply disruptions, prescribing considerations, and tools that can help your patients get their medication filled.

Shortage Timeline

Labetalol supply issues are not new. Here's a summary of the timeline:

• 2019–2021: The injectable form (Labetalol HCl 5 mg/mL) appeared on the FDA and ASHP drug shortage databases multiple times, driven by manufacturing delays at key production facilities. This primarily affected hospital pharmacies managing hypertensive emergencies.
• 2022–2023: Oral tablet supply (100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg) experienced localized disruptions as individual generic manufacturers faced production pauses. Supply was generally adequate nationally but inconsistent at the pharmacy level.
• 2024–2025: Periodic spot shortages continued, particularly affecting the 200 mg and 300 mg tablet strengths. Raw material sourcing challenges contributed to intermittent disruptions.
• 2026 (current): The injectable form continues to face supply pressure. Oral tablets are available from multiple generic manufacturers but individual pharmacy stockouts remain common, especially in areas with high demand for pregnancy-related prescribing.

Prescribing Implications

The intermittent nature of Labetalol shortages creates several considerations for prescribers:

Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension

Labetalol remains a first-line agent for chronic hypertension in pregnancy and for acute blood pressure management in preeclampsia. ACOG guidelines support its use, and it has a favorable safety profile compared to most other antihypertensives in pregnancy. When Labetalol is unavailable:

• Nifedipine extended-release is the most commonly used alternative for chronic hypertension in pregnancy
• Methyldopa remains an option, though it's less commonly prescribed due to side effect profile
• For acute management, IV Hydralazine is an alternative to IV Labetalol, though response can be less predictable

Essential Hypertension

For non-pregnant patients with essential hypertension, alternatives are more plentiful:

• Carvedilol — the closest pharmacologic equivalent as a combined alpha-beta blocker
• Metoprolol — widely available and inexpensive selective beta-1 blocker
• Atenolol — once-daily selective beta blocker

A detailed review of alternatives is available in our patient-facing post: alternatives to Labetalol.

Dose Strength Considerations

When a specific tablet strength is unavailable, consider whether an alternative strength could work. For example, if 200 mg tablets are out of stock, two 100 mg tablets per dose may be substitutable — though patient adherence should be considered when increasing pill burden.

Current Availability Picture

As of early 2026, the Labetalol market looks like this:

• Oral tablets: Available from multiple generic manufacturers. Generally findable but not uniformly stocked, especially at chain pharmacies using lean inventory models. The 100 mg strength tends to be most consistently available.
• Injectable: Supply remains constrained. Hospital pharmacies should maintain communication with their wholesalers and consider therapeutic alternatives for their hypertensive emergency protocols.
• Brand names: Trandate and Normodyne are discontinued. All current supply is generic.

Cost and Access

Generic Labetalol is a Tier 1 medication on most commercial and Medicare formularies. Access barriers are typically supply-related rather than cost-related:

• Insurance copay: $0 to $15 for most patients
• Cash price without insurance: $15 to $90 for a 30-day supply
• Discount coupon price: $10 to $30 via GoodRx, SingleCare, or similar services
• Prior authorization: Not typically required for generic Labetalol

For patients facing cost barriers, patient assistance programs through NeedyMeds and RxAssist may be applicable. More details in our savings guide: how to save money on Labetalol.

Tools and Resources for Providers

Several resources can help you and your patients navigate Labetalol availability:

Medfinder for Providers

Medfinder's provider tools allow you to help patients locate pharmacies with Labetalol in stock. You can direct patients to medfinder.com or use the platform yourself to identify available pharmacies in your patient's area.

FDA Drug Shortage Database

The FDA maintains a drug shortage database with current and resolved shortages. Bookmark this for up-to-date status on Labetalol and other medications.

ASHP Drug Shortage Resource

ASHP's drug shortage resource center provides clinical guidance, including therapeutic alternatives and conservation strategies during shortages.

Pharmacy Outreach

When patients report difficulty finding Labetalol, a direct call from your office to the pharmacy can sometimes expedite sourcing. Pharmacies may prioritize orders when they know a prescriber is actively looking for stock for a patient.

Looking Ahead

The structural factors behind Labetalol shortages — limited manufacturer diversity, lean pharmacy inventory, and concentrated API sourcing — are not likely to resolve quickly. However, the generic market for Labetalol has no patent barriers, meaning additional manufacturers can enter if demand supports it.

In the meantime, the most effective strategy is a combination of:

• Proactive communication with patients about potential supply issues
• Familiarity with therapeutic alternatives, especially for obstetric populations
• Use of tools like Medfinder for Providers to help patients locate stock
• Prescribing flexibility with tablet strengths when one size is more available than another

Final Thoughts

Labetalol remains a clinically important medication, particularly in obstetrics and emergency medicine. While supply disruptions are frustrating, staying informed about the current landscape — and having a plan for therapeutic alternatives — ensures your patients continue to receive appropriate blood pressure management.

For a practical guide on workflow integration, see our companion post: how to help your patients find Labetalol in stock.

For cost-saving strategies to share with patients, see: how to help patients save money on Labetalol.