Provider Briefing: Sutab Supply and Access in 2026

Sutab (Sodium Sulfate, Magnesium Sulfate, and Potassium Chloride tablets) has become the bowel preparation of choice for many patients and gastroenterology practices since its FDA approval in 2020. As the only tablet-form colonoscopy prep on the market, it addresses a longstanding patient complaint — the difficulty and unpleasantness of drinking large volumes of liquid prep.

However, Sutab's growing popularity has created persistent availability and access challenges. This article provides an updated briefing for providers on the current supply situation, prescribing considerations, cost barriers, and tools available to support patient access.

Timeline: Sutab's Rise and Supply Challenges

Sutab was approved by the FDA in June 2020 and launched commercially shortly thereafter. Key milestones include:

• 2020: FDA approval and launch. Initial uptake was steady as gastroenterologists and patients became aware of the tablet option.
• 2021–2022: Rapid adoption driven by patient preference and clinical data showing non-inferior bowel cleansing compared to liquid preps in two pivotal trials.
• 2023–2024: Reports of sporadic pharmacy-level stockouts increased as demand outpaced distribution capacity. Braintree Laboratories remained the sole manufacturer.
• 2025–2026: Sutab is not listed on the FDA drug shortage database, but real-world availability remains inconsistent across regions and pharmacy types.

Prescribing Implications

The intermittent availability of Sutab has several implications for prescribing providers:

Patient Expectations

Patients who have used Sutab previously — or who have heard about it — often specifically request the tablet prep. When it's unavailable, this can lead to frustration, delayed procedures, or patient no-shows if they cannot tolerate or afford the alternative prescribed.

Workflow Disruptions

When a patient calls the day before their colonoscopy to report they couldn't fill their Sutab prescription, it creates last-minute scrambling for providers and staff. Prescriptions need to be rewritten, patients need counseling on a new prep regimen, and procedure schedules may need adjustment.

Clinical Considerations

From a clinical standpoint, the available data shows Sutab is non-inferior to comparators (PEG-ELS with ascorbate in Study 1; Sodium Picosulfate/Magnesium Oxide/Citric Acid in Study 2) for successful bowel cleansing. Nausea and vomiting rates are higher with Sutab (48–52% nausea, 16–23% vomiting) compared to liquid comparators, though the vast majority of cases are mild to moderate. Compliance rates are high — nearly all patients in clinical trials completed both doses.

Current Availability Picture

As of early 2026, the Sutab supply situation can be characterized as follows:

• FDA shortage status: Not listed as a current drug shortage
• Manufacturer: Braintree Laboratories (sole manufacturer, Holbrook, MA)
• Generic availability: None. No ANDA for a generic tablet version has been approved.
• Pharmacy stocking: Variable. Large chains may not stock Sutab at every location. Independent pharmacies may have more flexibility but may only order on demand.
• Regional variation: Availability can differ significantly by geography, with urban areas generally having better access than rural ones.

Cost and Access Barriers

Cost is a significant barrier to Sutab access for many patients:

• Average retail price: Approximately $243 for a 24-tablet package
• Discount card pricing: As low as $167 through services like SingleCare
• Insurance coverage: Many commercial plans, Medicare Part D, and Medicaid programs do not cover Sutab or place it on non-preferred tiers with high copays. Prior authorization or step therapy (requiring trial of a liquid prep first) may be required.
• Manufacturer copay card: Braintree Laboratories offers a savings card through sutab.com for commercially insured patients, which may reduce copays.

By contrast, generic PEG-ELS (GoLYTELY) typically costs $15–$40 and is covered by virtually all insurance plans, making it the path of least resistance for many patients from a cost perspective.

Tools and Resources for Providers

Several tools can help streamline the process of getting Sutab to patients who need it:

Medfinder for Providers

Medfinder offers real-time pharmacy stock checking that can be integrated into your clinical workflow. When prescribing Sutab, staff can quickly verify which nearby pharmacies have it in stock before sending the prescription, reducing the risk of patient callbacks and last-minute changes.

Proactive Patient Communication

Consider building Sutab availability into your pre-procedure communication workflow:

• Include a note in pre-colonoscopy instructions advising patients to fill their Sutab prescription early
• Provide a list of pharmacies known to stock Sutab in your area
• Direct patients to Medfinder as a self-service stock-checking tool

Standing Alternative Orders

Some practices have implemented protocols where a liquid prep alternative is automatically prescribed alongside Sutab, giving patients a backup if Sutab is unavailable. This requires patient education but can prevent last-minute procedure cancellations.

Alternative Bowel Preparations

When Sutab is unavailable, the following alternatives can be prescribed:

• Suprep Bowel Prep Kit (Sodium Sulfate, Potassium Sulfate, Magnesium Sulfate) — Low-volume sulfate-based liquid; closest mechanism to Sutab. Generic available.
• GoLYTELY / NuLYTELY (PEG 3350 with Electrolytes) — High-volume but inexpensive, widely available, and universally covered by insurance.
• Clenpiq (Sodium Picosulfate, Magnesium Oxide, Citric Acid) — Very low-volume, ready-to-drink, cranberry-flavored. Brand only.
• Suflave (PEG 3350, Sodium Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride) — Newer low-volume liquid from Braintree Laboratories with flavor enhancer.

Looking Ahead

Several developments could affect Sutab availability in the coming years:

• Generic competition: The introduction of a generic Sutab tablet would significantly improve supply and reduce cost, but no generic has been approved as of 2026.
• Manufacturing capacity: Braintree Laboratories' ability to scale production will be key to meeting continued demand growth.
• Formulary shifts: As payers increasingly recognize patient preference for tablet preps, Sutab may gain broader formulary inclusion, which could stabilize distribution.

Final Thoughts

Sutab has earned its popularity — patients overwhelmingly prefer a tablet prep, and clinical data supports its efficacy. However, the realities of single-source manufacturing, limited insurance coverage, and uneven distribution mean that providers need to be proactive about managing Sutab access for their patients.

Building availability checks into your workflow, educating patients early, and maintaining backup prep protocols can minimize disruptions to your colonoscopy schedule. Tools like Medfinder for Providers can help streamline this process.

For a practical guide on helping patients find Sutab, see: How to Help Your Patients Find Sutab in Stock.