Medrol Shortage Update: February 2026

The Medrol (Methylprednisolone) shortage continues to affect patients across the United States in early 2026. If you're struggling to fill your prescription, this article provides the latest information on the supply situation, what's being done about it, and the steps you can take right now to get your medication.

We'll continue to update this page as the situation evolves.

Current Status of the Medrol Shortage

As of February 2026, patients in many parts of the country are reporting intermittent difficulty finding both the Medrol Dosepak (the 21-tablet tapered dose pack) and individual Methylprednisolone tablets. The shortage is not uniform — some regions and pharmacies have adequate supply while others are experiencing significant gaps.

Key points about the current situation:

• The Medrol Dosepak appears to be more affected than individual Methylprednisolone tablets
• Generic Methylprednisolone from multiple manufacturers has been intermittently available
• Supply tends to fluctuate week to week, with pharmacies receiving partial shipments from distributors
• The FDA has listed Methylprednisolone on its Drug Shortage Database with notes about manufacturing delays

What's Causing the 2026 Medrol Shortage?

Several factors have converged to create the current supply situation:

Manufacturing Capacity Constraints

The U.S. supply of Methylprednisolone depends on a limited number of manufacturers. Pfizer produces the brand-name Medrol, while generics come from companies like Sandoz, Teva, Cadista, and Par Pharmaceutical. Production issues at any of these facilities — whether from equipment upgrades, raw material sourcing problems, or quality control measures — directly impact national supply.

Increased Demand

Demand for corticosteroids has remained elevated due to ongoing respiratory illness seasons and a growing number of patients managing chronic inflammatory conditions. The Medrol Dosepak, in particular, remains one of the most frequently prescribed steroid tapers for acute conditions like severe allergic reactions, asthma flares, and back pain.

Raw Material Sourcing

Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for many generic medications are sourced globally. Disruptions in the international supply of Methylprednisolone API — whether from regulatory issues, shipping delays, or production problems at API manufacturers — can slow finished product manufacturing.

Distributor Allocation

When supply is limited, major drug distributors (McKesson, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health) implement allocation programs that limit how much each pharmacy can order. This prevents any single pharmacy from hoarding stock but means many pharmacies can only fill a fraction of their demand.

What Is Being Done About the Shortage?

Multiple stakeholders are working to resolve the supply issues:

• FDA: The FDA is working with manufacturers to address production delays and is monitoring the situation through its Drug Shortage Staff
• Manufacturers: Generic manufacturers have reported ramping up production where possible to meet demand
• Pharmacies: Many pharmacy chains are actively managing inventory and helping patients find stock at nearby locations
• Healthcare providers: Doctors and prescribers are aware of the shortage and can prescribe effective alternatives when needed

What Patients Should Do Right Now

1. Don't Wait Until You're Out

If you take Methylprednisolone regularly, refill your prescription as soon as your insurance allows — typically when you have 7–10 days of supply remaining. This gives your pharmacy time to source the medication if it's not immediately available.

2. Use MedFinder to Locate Stock

MedFinder helps you find pharmacies that currently have Medrol in stock. Instead of calling pharmacies individually, use MedFinder to quickly identify your options. For a full walkthrough, see our guide to finding Medrol in stock near you.

3. Consider All Pharmacy Types

Don't limit your search to your usual pharmacy. Check:

• Other chain pharmacy locations (different stores may have different stock levels)
• Independent pharmacies (they often use different distributors)
• Hospital outpatient pharmacies
• Mail-order pharmacies like Amazon Pharmacy, Cost Plus Drugs, or Honeybee Health

4. Talk to Your Doctor About Alternatives

If Medrol is truly unavailable in your area, effective alternatives exist. Prednisone is the most common substitute and is rarely in shortage. Your doctor can convert your Medrol dose to an equivalent Prednisone dose easily. Read our complete guide to Medrol alternatives for details on all your options.

5. Ask Your Pharmacist for Help

Pharmacists are your allies during shortages. They can:

• Check if generic Methylprednisolone is available (even if the Medrol Dosepak isn't)
• Contact their distributor to place a special order
• Call nearby stores to check stock
• Contact your prescriber to discuss equivalent substitutions

Saving Money During the Shortage

Supply shortages can sometimes drive up out-of-pocket costs, especially if you need to use a pharmacy outside your insurance network. To keep costs down:

• Always ask for generic Methylprednisolone — it's significantly cheaper than brand-name Medrol
• Use prescription discount cards from GoodRx, SingleCare, or RxSaver
• Check our guide to saving money on Medrol for more cost-cutting strategies

When Will the Medrol Shortage End?

Unfortunately, there's no firm timeline for full resolution. Drug shortages typically last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the underlying cause. Manufacturers generally don't provide specific resolution dates because production timelines can shift.

What we do know is that the FDA is actively engaged, manufacturers are aware of the demand, and generic competition means multiple companies have an incentive to fill the gap. Historically, Methylprednisolone shortages have been temporary and self-correcting.

Stay Informed

We'll continue to update this article as new information becomes available. In the meantime, bookmark MedFinder for quick availability checks, and explore our other Medrol resources:

• Why is Medrol so hard to find?
• What is Medrol? Uses, dosage, and what you need to know
• Medrol side effects: What to expect
• How to find a doctor who can prescribe Medrol

The Bottom Line

The Medrol shortage in 2026 is real but manageable. By staying proactive — refilling early, checking multiple pharmacy types, using MedFinder, and working with your doctor on alternatives — you can minimize disruption to your treatment. You don't have to go without medication. There are options, and there are people who can help.