Lidocaine Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

If you or a family member depend on lidocaine — whether as a topical patch for chronic nerve pain or received in a clinical procedure — you may have already noticed how hard it's become to find. The lidocaine shortage is not new. It dates back to at least 2012 on the ASHP drug shortage list and has worsened periodically since then, with a significant escalation during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here's where things stand in 2026 and what you need to know as a patient.

Current Shortage Status: What the Data Shows

As of early 2026, lidocaine hydrochloride injection remains listed as a current drug shortage by both the ASHP and tracked by the FDA. The key facts:

• Pfizer has lidocaine presentations on shortage due to manufacturing delays and increased demand.
• The Abboject LifeShield pre-filled syringes (a commonly used emergency cardiac form) were discontinued in mid-2025.
• Pfizer's 0.5% 50 mL flip-top vials had an estimated restocking date of March 2026; the 2% emergency Ansyr syringes were targeted for April 2026.
• Lidocaine viscous 2% (used for mouth/throat pain) has also appeared on the FDA shortage database.
• Some formulations from alternative manufacturers (Eugia US, Sintetica) have available inventory through major distributors, but supply is inconsistent.

How Long Has Lidocaine Been in Shortage?

The ASHP first listed lidocaine injection as a shortage in June 2012. While supply has fluctuated over the years, it has never fully stabilized. Multiple factors keep it on the shortage list:

• Only two US manufacturers produce injectable lidocaine (Pfizer and Fresenius Kabi USA)
• No domestic suppliers for the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API)
• Low profit margins make expanded manufacturing unattractive for industry
• Surging demand from aging population and post-pandemic rebound in procedures

Which Patients Are Most Affected?

As a patient, the shortage affects you differently depending on your use:

• Postherpetic neuralgia patients: If you use lidocaine patches (Lidoderm or ZTLido) for shingles nerve pain, you may find your usual pharmacy is out of stock or has switched to a different brand. Generic patches are generally more available than brand-name versions.
• Patients needing procedures: Injectable lidocaine is used by your doctor, dentist, or surgical team. They bear the burden of sourcing it. You may notice your provider substituting a different anesthetic or, in rare cases, delaying an elective procedure.
• Patients using OTC lidocaine: Over-the-counter topical lidocaine (4% patches, LMX cream) is generally less affected than prescription injectable forms. However, localized stock-outs do occur.

Is the Shortage Expected to Improve in 2026?

There are some positive signs. The FDA has implemented expedited review processes for new manufacturing approvals to bring additional suppliers online. Some smaller manufacturers now have available inventory through major distributors. Estimated restocking dates for several Pfizer formulations fall in early-to-mid 2026.

However, the structural causes of the shortage — few manufacturers, no domestic API suppliers, low margins — remain unresolved. Many healthcare experts predict that intermittent shortages will continue well beyond 2026 without major policy changes.

What Should You Do Right Now?

Here are the most important steps for patients navigating the lidocaine shortage in 2026:

1. Don't wait until you run out. Start looking for your next fill a week or two before you run out, not the day of.
2. Use a pharmacy search service. Rather than calling pharmacies one by one, use medfinder to search multiple pharmacies near you simultaneously.
3. Ask your prescriber about acceptable substitutions — generic vs. brand, different patch strengths, or different formulations.
4. Consider mail-order pharmacies for maintenance prescriptions like lidocaine patches — they often have larger centralized inventories.
5. Talk to your provider about therapeutic alternatives if the shortage is significantly impacting your care.

medfinder Can Help You Find Lidocaine Near You

medfinder is a paid service that calls pharmacies near you to find out which ones can fill your lidocaine prescription. You give us your medication and zip code — we handle the phone calls and text you the results. See all our tips for finding lidocaine in stock near you.