Updated: January 18, 2026

Myrbetriq Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

Author

Peter Daggett

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Official Shortage Status: What the FDA Says
The Generic Mirabegron Supply Disruption: A History
What This Means for Patients in 2026
Is This Considered a "Shortage" by FDA Standards?
Practical Steps to Secure Your Myrbetriq Supply Right Now
The Bottom Line

Is there a Myrbetriq shortage in 2026? Get the latest update on mirabegron availability, generic supply issues, and what patients should do right now.

Patients who rely on Myrbetriq (mirabegron) to manage overactive bladder are asking: is there a shortage? And if not, why is it sometimes hard to fill? Here's the most current picture of Myrbetriq availability in 2026, including the impact of patent litigation on the generic market.

Official Shortage Status: What the FDA Says

As of 2026, Myrbetriq (mirabegron) does not appear on the FDA's Drug Shortages database. This means the FDA has not designated it as being in an official national shortage. Brand-name Myrbetriq, manufactured by Astellas Pharma, is being produced and distributed at normal levels.

However, a drug being off the FDA shortage list doesn't guarantee that your local pharmacy has it on the shelf today. Local stock levels, generic supply disruptions, and insurance-related barriers can all create real-world access challenges.

The Generic Mirabegron Supply Disruption: A History

The biggest supply disruption affecting Myrbetriq patients in 2024-2025 wasn't a manufacturing shortage — it was a legal one. Here's the timeline:

2012: Myrbetriq first approved by FDA. Astellas holds key patents protecting the extended-release formulation.
2022: Lupin Pharmaceuticals receives FDA approval for generic mirabegron after a key Astellas patent expired in March 2022.
June 2023: A Delaware district court found one of Astellas's key patents invalid following a trial with Sandoz.
Early 2024: Zydus and Lupin begin launching generic mirabegron ER in the U.S. market. Patients start accessing generics at meaningfully lower prices.
April 2024: A federal circuit court issues a temporary injunction, briefly halting Lupin's and Zydus's generic launches despite their earlier FDA approvals.
April 2025: A U.S. Federal Court rules to block Lupin and Zydus specifically from selling their generic versions, citing patent infringement — though other generic manufacturers (including Alkem) continue operating.

What This Means for Patients in 2026

The patent battles have created an uneven generic landscape. Some manufacturers have been blocked from selling their FDA-approved versions. This means:

Generic mirabegron IS available from some manufacturers (like Alkem), but not all
Pharmacy supply is inconsistent depending on which manufacturer your pharmacy sources from
Prices for generic mirabegron vary widely — GoodRx shows prices as low as $117 for a 30-day supply at some pharmacies, versus full brand price at others
Insurance step therapy from plans like UnitedHealthcare (effective November 2025) requires patients to fail on two alternative OAB drugs before generic mirabegron is covered

Is This Considered a "Shortage" by FDA Standards?

No. The FDA defines a drug shortage as a period when the supply of a drug is inadequate to meet the demand for that drug. Myrbetriq does not meet this threshold because brand-name supply is intact and some generic supply is available. The access problems patients face are driven by legal and commercial factors, not manufacturing failures. But this distinction may feel cold comfort if you can't fill your prescription locally.

Practical Steps to Secure Your Myrbetriq Supply Right Now

Don't wait until you're out of medication. Refill 1-2 weeks early when possible.
Ask your pharmacist which generic manufacturer they currently stock, and ask if they can source from an alternative manufacturer.
Consider switching to mail-order for your regular supply — insurance mail-order pharmacies typically maintain more consistent stock.
Use medfinder to identify which pharmacies near you currently have Myrbetriq or generic mirabegron in stock.
If you have commercial insurance, apply for the Astellas Momentum Savings Card (up to $70/month savings) to use brand Myrbetriq if generic is unavailable.

The Bottom Line

There is no official Myrbetriq shortage in 2026, but the drug's complex generic market means availability varies significantly from pharmacy to pharmacy. Proactive planning, multiple pharmacy checks, and services like medfinder can help you stay supplied. Also see How to Find Myrbetriq in Stock Near You for a practical pharmacy search guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. As of 2026, Myrbetriq (mirabegron) is not on the FDA's official drug shortage database. Brand-name Myrbetriq from Astellas is being manufactured and distributed at normal levels. However, generic mirabegron availability varies due to ongoing patent litigation affecting certain generic manufacturers.

In April 2025, a U.S. Federal Court blocked manufacturers Lupin and Zydus from selling their generic mirabegron versions due to patent infringement findings. Other generic manufacturers like Alkem can still sell their versions. This has made the generic supply inconsistent across pharmacies, depending on which manufacturer each pharmacy sources from.

The timeline is uncertain as it depends on ongoing patent litigation and potential new manufacturer entrants. As more patents expire and court disputes resolve, the generic mirabegron market is expected to stabilize with more manufacturers entering, which should improve availability and reduce prices over time.

It's reasonable to refill your prescription 1-2 weeks before you run out to give yourself buffer time if your pharmacy needs to special-order or restock. However, excessive stockpiling is not recommended as it can worsen availability for other patients. Talk to your doctor if you're worried about access to your medication.

UnitedHealthcare implemented a step therapy program for generic mirabegron effective November 16, 2025, requiring members to first try two alternative OAB medications before coverage is approved. Other insurance plans may have similar policies. Check with your specific plan or ask your pharmacist to run a coverage check.

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