Prucalopride Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

If you take prucalopride (Motegrity) for chronic constipation, you may have struggled to fill your prescription at times and wondered whether the drug is in an official shortage. Here's the most up-to-date picture of prucalopride availability in 2026 — what's changed, what hasn't, and what you can do about it.

Is Prucalopride Officially in Shortage?

As of 2026, prucalopride is NOT on the FDA's official drug shortage list. The FDA shortage list tracks drugs facing a supply disruption from manufacturing problems or raw material issues. Prucalopride does not currently meet that threshold.

However, "not in shortage" doesn't mean you can walk into any pharmacy and pick it up. Many patients continue to experience localized stock-outs, insurance coverage challenges, and the ongoing transition from brand-name Motegrity to generic prucalopride.

The Big 2025 Development: Generic Prucalopride Launches

The biggest news affecting prucalopride availability in recent memory happened in January 2025: ANI Pharmaceuticals received FDA approval for the first generic version of prucalopride and immediately launched it with 180-day competitive generic therapy (CGT) exclusivity. This was a transformational moment for patients who had been paying $600–$735 per month for brand-name Motegrity.

Generic prucalopride now sells for as little as $26–$40 per month with GoodRx or SingleCare discount coupons. For patients who pay out of pocket or have limited insurance coverage, this change dramatically reduced the financial barrier. More manufacturers entering the generic market over the coming months should further stabilize supply.

Why Are Patients Still Having Trouble Finding It?

Even with the generic available, several factors continue to create access challenges:

• Pharmacy stock variability: Not every pharmacy has updated its inventory to carry the generic, and some still primarily stock (or exclusively stock) brand-name Motegrity.
• Insurance prior authorization: Many payers still require documentation of prior treatment failure with linaclotide or plecanatide before approving prucalopride — even the generic.
• Medicare non-coverage: Most Medicare Part D plans do not cover Motegrity, and coverage of the generic may be limited depending on the specific plan.
• Rural pharmacy gaps: In rural or underserved areas with fewer pharmacies, access can still be limited even when supply nationally is stable.

What Has the Historical Availability Been Like?

Prucalopride has never appeared on the FDA's official drug shortage list since its US approval in December 2018. However, patient reports of localized pharmacy stock-outs have been consistent, driven primarily by:

• The relatively small number of patients using prucalopride nationally, leading pharmacies to maintain minimal safety stock
• Its single-source brand status from 2018–2025, meaning any manufacturing disruption could cause regional shortages
• High cost limiting prescribing and pharmacy ordering — the $600+ brand price kept many patients and prescribers from using it widely

What Should Patients Do If They Can't Find Prucalopride?

Start by searching broadly. medfinder calls pharmacies near you to find which ones have prucalopride in stock, saving you hours of phone calls. Make sure to ask about both brand-name Motegrity and generic prucalopride when searching.

If you've tried multiple pharmacies without success, contact your prescriber. They may have samples, can assist with a prior authorization, or can bridge you with an alternative medication while you continue searching.

Looking Ahead: Availability in 2026

The entry of generic prucalopride in 2025 and the expected entry of additional generic manufacturers over time should make prucalopride progressively easier to find and more affordable. For providers managing patients on prucalopride, see our dedicated provider update: Prucalopride Shortage: What Providers and Prescribers Need to Know in 2026.