Phenergan Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

Patients across the United States are reporting difficulty filling prescriptions for promethazine (Phenergan) in 2026. The shortage is real, it is affecting multiple formulations, and there is no simple or immediate fix on the horizon. But understanding the situation empowers you to take action — and there are practical steps available right now.

Current Status of the Phenergan Shortage (2026)

Here is a breakdown of the current supply situation for each promethazine formulation:

Injectable promethazine (25 mg/mL vials, 50 mg/mL ampules): Active shortage. Hikma — a major manufacturer — has reported multiple presentations on back order, with an estimated release date of early January 2027 for some products. Some presentations are on allocation, limiting how much hospitals can order.

Oral tablets (12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg): Supply concern since October 2025. Stock is available but may be limited. Availability varies significantly by pharmacy and location.

Oral solution/syrup: Same supply concern status as tablets. May be difficult to find in some markets.

Rectal suppositories (12.5 mg, 25 mg): Supply concern since October 2025. May be available at some pharmacies when tablets are not.

Promethazine with Codeine combination: Promethazine VC with Codeine was permanently discontinued by its sole US supplier in January 2024. No longer available commercially.

Why Is There a Phenergan Shortage?

Promethazine is an older generic medication that has been available in the United States since 1951. Its generic status means it's manufactured by multiple companies — but with low profit margins, many manufacturers have reduced or consolidated production. When one major producer encounters issues, the entire market feels the impact.

Additional factors driving the shortage in 2026 include:

Increased demand as physicians substitute promethazine for other antiemetics also in shortage (such as prochlorperazine)

Raw material and active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) supply chain disruptions

Manufacturing delays and quality control issues at production facilities

Consolidation among generic manufacturers leaving fewer backup options when supply drops

How Does the Shortage Affect You as a Patient?

The impact on patients depends on what you're using promethazine for and which formulation you take:

If you take it for nausea/vomiting: You may be able to switch to ondansetron or metoclopramide with your provider's guidance.

If you take it for motion sickness: Meclizine (OTC) or scopolamine patches are solid alternatives you can discuss with your provider.

If you take it for allergy symptoms: Second-generation antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec) or loratadine (Claritin) are widely available OTC.

If you're pregnant and using it for morning sickness: Contact your OB-GYN immediately for guidance — they may recommend ondansetron or vitamin B6 (pyridoxine).

What Should Patients Do Right Now?

Search multiple pharmacies. Use medfinder to check which pharmacies near you have promethazine in stock without spending hours on hold.

Ask about other formulations. If tablets are unavailable, suppositories or oral solution may be in stock. Ask your provider if a different formulation is acceptable.

Contact your prescriber. Inform your provider of the shortage and ask whether an alternative medication would be appropriate for your situation. Don't discontinue promethazine abruptly without medical guidance.

Consider independent pharmacies. Local independent pharmacies and specialty pharmacies sometimes have different supplier relationships and may have stock when chain pharmacies don't.

Ask about compounding. A licensed compounding pharmacy can prepare custom promethazine preparations when commercial supply is exhausted, with a valid prescription.

When Will the Phenergan Shortage End?

Definitive timelines are hard to predict. For injectable promethazine, Hikma has projected early January 2027 as a release target for some back-ordered products — though these dates are subject to change. For oral tablets and suppositories, limited supply is expected to persist through much of 2026, with possible improvement as manufacturers ramp up production. The FDA monitors the situation but cannot force manufacturers to increase output beyond their current capacity.

Stay Informed

The shortage situation changes frequently. Check the ASHP Drug Shortage Database for manufacturer-reported timelines, and revisit medfinder.com to check real-time pharmacy availability. For a step-by-step guide on finding promethazine in stock, see our companion article: How to Find Phenergan in Stock Near You