Magnesium Chloride Shortage in 2026: What's Going On?

If you depend on Magnesium Chloride — whether it's a daily oral supplement or an injectable treatment — the ongoing supply challenges have likely affected you. Since mid-2023, patients and healthcare facilities have dealt with intermittent shortages that have made this essential mineral harder to find.

In this update, we'll cover the current state of the Magnesium Chloride shortage, what's causing it, how much it costs in 2026, and what you can do to get the medication you need.

Is Magnesium Chloride Still in Shortage in 2026?

Injectable Magnesium Chloride (200 mg/mL solution) remains in a state of intermittent shortage as of early 2026. The FDA Drug Shortage Database has listed it on and off since 2023, with several manufacturers unable to consistently meet demand.

Oral Magnesium Chloride (tablets, capsules, and liquids) is generally available, though specific brands like Slow-Mag may experience temporary stockouts at individual pharmacies due to high demand. The oral form is not listed on the FDA shortage database.

The situation has improved compared to the worst periods in 2023-2024, but full supply recovery — especially for injectables — has not yet been achieved.

Why Is Magnesium Chloride Hard to Find?

Multiple factors have converged to create the current shortage:

• Manufacturing disruptions: Key manufacturers including American Regent and Fresenius Kabi have faced production delays due to facility upgrades, quality control issues, and raw material sourcing challenges.
• Increased demand: Growing awareness of magnesium deficiency — which affects an estimated 50% of Americans — has driven demand for all magnesium products, including Magnesium Chloride.
• Limited manufacturers: The injectable form has relatively few approved manufacturers, making the supply chain vulnerable to disruptions at any single facility.
• Hospital demand spillover: When injectable supply tightens, some facilities shift to oral forms as a bridge therapy, putting additional pressure on the oral supplement supply.

For a deeper dive into these factors, read our full explainer: Why is Magnesium Chloride so hard to find?

What Does Magnesium Chloride Cost in 2026?

Here's what you can expect to pay:

Oral Supplements (OTC)

• Slow-Mag (brand name): $15 to $25 for a 60-count bottle of delayed-release tablets
• Generic Magnesium Chloride tablets: $8 to $15 for a 60-count bottle
• Mag-64: $10 to $18 for a 60-count bottle

Injectable (Prescription)

• Magnesium Chloride injection 200 mg/mL: $3 to $15 per vial, depending on the supplier and whether there's a shortage markup
• Injectable costs are typically covered under medical benefits when administered in a clinical setting

Oral Magnesium Chloride supplements are generally not covered by insurance since they're available over the counter. However, if your doctor writes a prescription for a specific formulation, some insurance plans or FSA/HSA accounts may cover part of the cost.

Looking for ways to save? Check out our guide: How to save money on Magnesium Chloride in 2026.

Are There New Options Available?

While no entirely new Magnesium Chloride products have launched recently, there are some developments worth noting:

• Expanded generic manufacturing: Several generic manufacturers have increased production capacity for oral Magnesium Chloride tablets, which should help stabilize the oral supply.
• Compounding pharmacies: More compounding pharmacies are now offering custom Magnesium Chloride preparations for patients who can't find commercial products.
• Alternative magnesium forms: Products like Magnesium Glycinate and Magnesium Citrate have become more widely available and are gaining acceptance as alternatives. Read about them in our alternatives guide.

How to Find Magnesium Chloride in Stock Right Now

Here are the most effective strategies:

1. Use Medfinder — Check real-time pharmacy availability in your area without making dozens of phone calls.
2. Try independent pharmacies — They often have different distributors and may have stock when chains don't.
3. Check online retailers — Amazon, Walmart.com, and supplement retailers frequently have oral Magnesium Chloride in stock. Expect to pay $8 to $25.
4. Ask your pharmacist about backorders — Some pharmacies can place backorders and notify you when stock arrives.
5. Consider a compounding pharmacy — For custom formulations when commercial products aren't available.

For more detailed tips, see our complete guide: How to find Magnesium Chloride in stock near you.

Final Thoughts

The Magnesium Chloride shortage has been an ongoing challenge since 2023, but the situation is gradually improving — particularly for oral formulations. Injectable supply remains tighter, and patients who depend on IV or IM Magnesium Chloride should work closely with their healthcare providers to ensure continuity of care.

Stay informed by bookmarking this page, and use Medfinder to check availability whenever you need to refill. If you're a healthcare provider looking for clinical guidance, read our provider-focused article: Magnesium Chloride shortage: What providers need to know.