Orphenadrine XR Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

Patients prescribed Orphenadrine XR (orphenadrine citrate extended-release tablets) have been reporting difficulty finding it at their local pharmacies. If you're wondering whether there's an official shortage, what the current status is, and what to do next — this article has the answers.

Is There an Official Orphenadrine XR Shortage in 2026?

As of early 2026, oral Orphenadrine citrate extended-release 100 mg tablets are NOT listed on the FDA Drug Shortage Database or the ASHP Drug Shortages database. This means there is no officially declared national shortage of the oral tablet form of this medication.

Multiple FDA-approved generic manufacturers produce this medication, including Amneal Pharmaceuticals, American Health Packaging, Impax Laboratories, and A-S Medication Solutions. The oral tablet formulation has a stable supply chain as of this writing.

What About the Past Orphenadrine Shortages?

There was a documented shortage — but it affected the injectable form only. In February 2023, Akorn Pharmaceuticals ceased all operations. Akorn had been responsible for approximately 75% of the U.S. market share of injectable orphenadrine citrate (30 mg/mL, 2 mL vials). This triggered a significant shortage of the injectable formulation used in hospital and clinical settings.

Hikma Pharmaceuticals also produces injectable orphenadrine and, according to ASHP's update from August 2023, Hikma's 30 mg/mL vials became available. The injectable shortage has since been largely resolved.

The oral extended-release tablet was not affected by the Akorn closure and continues to be produced by multiple manufacturers.

Why Can't I Find Orphenadrine XR at My Pharmacy Then?

Even when a drug isn't in a national shortage, individual pharmacies can run out. This is especially true for medications with lower prescription volumes. Orphenadrine XR is not among the top 100 most prescribed drugs in the U.S., so many pharmacies stock it in limited quantities or order it only when needed. Common causes of local stock-outs include:

Low stocking levels: Pharmacies order based on demand. Low-demand drugs get low inventory.

Generic manufacturer variability: Each pharmacy may use a specific manufacturer. If that manufacturer has a temporary supply issue, the pharmacy runs dry even when other manufacturers have stock.

Norflex brand discontinuation confusion: The brand name Norflex has been discontinued. Some patients or staff may interpret this as the drug being unavailable, when generic orphenadrine citrate ER is still on the market.

Regional distributor delays: Supply chain hiccups between manufacturer and regional distributor can temporarily affect pharmacies in specific areas.

How Long Could a Local Shortage Last?

Local stock-outs for Orphenadrine XR are typically short-lived — usually 1 to 5 days. Since the drug is produced by multiple manufacturers and distributors, pharmacies can usually obtain a new supply within a day or two of placing a wholesale order. The frustrating part is often the uncertainty: patients don't know how long they'll be waiting or whether they should look elsewhere.

What Patients Should Do Right Now

Ask your pharmacist to check when their next order of Orphenadrine XR arrives — and whether they can add it to their next shipment.

Use medfinder to search pharmacies near you that have it in stock right now.

Try independent pharmacies and other chain pharmacies — they often use different wholesalers.

Contact your prescriber if you need a bridge medication while you locate your supply.

What Are the Best Alternatives If I Truly Can't Get It?

If Orphenadrine XR remains unavailable, your doctor may suggest switching to a comparable muscle relaxant. Cyclobenzaprine is the most commonly prescribed substitute and is usually widely available. Methocarbamol and tizanidine are two other FDA-approved options in the same class. Read our detailed comparison in our alternatives guide to help guide your conversation with your prescriber.

The Bottom Line

As of 2026, there is no national shortage of oral Orphenadrine XR. The 2023 injectable shortage has largely resolved. Local stock-outs at specific pharmacies can still happen but are usually brief. Your best tools are persistence — asking pharmacies to order it — and services like medfinder that can quickly identify which nearby pharmacies have your medication.