Sotalol Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

If you rely on Sotalol oral solution (Sotylize) to manage your heart rhythm, you've likely dealt with the frustration of hearing "we don't have it" at the pharmacy. Sotalol oral solution has experienced intermittent supply issues since 2020, and patients understandably want to know: is it still in shortage in 2026?

In this article, we'll give you the latest information on Sotalol availability, explain what's driving the supply problems, and share practical steps you can take right now.

Current Status: Is Sotalol in Shortage in 2026?

As of early 2026, the picture is nuanced:

Generic Sotalol tablets (80 mg, 120 mg, 160 mg, 240 mg): Widely available at most pharmacies. No active nationwide shortage. If you take the tablet form, you are unlikely to experience supply problems.

Sotalol oral solution (Sotylize and generic): Has appeared on and off the FDA Drug Shortage Database in recent years. As of early 2026, it is not consistently listed as a full nationwide shortage, but real-world pharmacy-level stock remains unreliable. Many pharmacies simply don't stock it, and those that do may face delays in restocking.

The bottom line: if you need the oral solution, you may face genuine difficulty finding it, even though an official FDA shortage listing may not always be active.

Timeline: How Did We Get Here?

2020–2022: Pandemic-related manufacturing disruptions across the pharmaceutical supply chain caused early supply gaps for Sotalol oral solution.

2023–2024: Raw material sourcing challenges and quality control holds at production facilities intensified the shortage.

2025–2026: Continued intermittent availability. The product cycles on and off FDA shortage listings, but real-world pharmacy stocking remains inconsistent.

Why Is the Oral Solution Harder to Find Than the Tablets?

Sotalol tablets are manufactured by multiple companies and have a large, stable market. The oral solution is different:

Very few manufacturers — primarily AltaThera Pharmaceuticals (brand Sotylize) and a small number of generic producers

A single manufacturing disruption at one facility can affect nationwide supply

Low demand from a niche patient population means low profit margins and little incentive for new manufacturers to enter the market

Most retail pharmacies don't keep it on their shelves due to low turnover, creating the impression of a shortage even when wholesale supply exists

What Are the Cost Implications of the Shortage?

When supply is limited, patients often have fewer pharmacy options, which can mean less price competition. Here's the 2026 cost picture:

Brand-name Sotylize oral solution: $300–$600 for a 30-day supply without insurance

Generic Sotalol oral solution: $150–$350 for a 30-day supply

Generic Sotalol tablets: $10–$40 for a 30-day supply; as low as $7.74 with a GoodRx coupon

If you have insurance, generic Sotalol tablets are typically covered as a Tier 1 or Tier 2 medication with low or no copay. The oral solution may require prior authorization, and some plans use step therapy requiring you to try tablets first.

Practical Steps to Take Right Now

Don't stop Sotalol abruptly. Suddenly stopping a beta-blocker can cause dangerous rebound arrhythmias. If you're running low, call your doctor immediately before skipping doses.

Search broadly. Try independent pharmacies and specialty pharmacies — they often have access to supply that chain pharmacies don't.

Ask about compounding. A compounding pharmacy can prepare Sotalol hydrochloride oral solution from USP-grade powder. Confirm they follow USP <797> standards.

Use medfinder. medfinder contacts pharmacies near you to find which ones can fill your prescription, texting you the results. This is far faster than calling pharmacies yourself.

Discuss alternatives with your cardiologist. If supply simply cannot be found, your cardiologist may recommend an alternative antiarrhythmic such as amiodarone, dronedarone, or dofetilide based on your specific condition.

Will the Shortage Get Better?

There is no definitive timeline for when Sotalol oral solution supply will fully stabilize. Because the oral solution has a small market and few manufacturers, intermittent availability issues may continue. Planning ahead, establishing a relationship with a compounding pharmacy as a backup, and using tools like medfinder remain the best patient strategies. For more on what to do if you can't find Sotalol, see: Alternatives to Sotalol If You Can't Fill Your Prescription.