Terrell (Isoflurane) Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

If you're scheduled for surgery in 2026 and your care team mentioned issues with their anesthetic supply, you might be wondering: is Terrell (isoflurane) in short supply right now? What does this mean for my procedure? Do I need to worry?

This article provides an updated overview of Terrell's availability in 2026, the history of isoflurane shortages, and what you as a patient should know and do.

What Is Terrell (Isoflurane)?

Terrell is a brand name for isoflurane USP, a liquid that's vaporized and breathed in to put patients under general anesthesia during surgery. It's been FDA-approved since 1979 and is used in operating rooms across the U.S. and worldwide. Unlike a medication you'd pick up at a pharmacy, you receive this drug in an operating room — you breathe it in through a mask or breathing tube.

It's not a controlled substance, but it is a prescription drug that can only be administered by a trained anesthesiologist, certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), or anesthesiologist assistant.

Is Terrell in Shortage Right Now? (2026 Update)

As of 2026, there is no active, nationwide shortage of Terrell (isoflurane) listed by the FDA or ASHP. This is good news. However, this doesn't mean availability is perfect everywhere. Localized supply gaps — where individual hospitals or surgical centers temporarily run low — can and do occur even without a formal shortage declaration.

If your surgery has been rescheduled or your anesthesia team has mentioned switching anesthetic agents, it may be due to a localized supply issue — not necessarily a national crisis.

Historical Context: When Has Isoflurane Been in Shortage?

Isoflurane has experienced supply disruptions in the past. A notable shortage occurred in the veterinary sector around 2018–2019, when demand from veterinary practices strained the available supply. Human medical use was less severely affected, but the event highlighted the vulnerability of a market with a small number of producers serving both human and veterinary sectors.

Globally, resource-limited healthcare systems — particularly in sub-Saharan Africa — have experienced more persistent isoflurane supply challenges due to importation costs, cold-chain requirements, and limited distributor networks.

What Does a Supply Gap Mean for Patients?

If your surgical facility is experiencing an isoflurane supply gap, here's what might happen:

• Your surgery may be rescheduled if the shortage is severe enough that the facility cannot safely proceed — though this is rare.
• Your anesthesia team may use an alternative agent, such as sevoflurane (Sojourn, Ultane) or propofol-based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA). These are safe, well-established alternatives.
• The change may not even be mentioned to you if the switch is routine and doesn't affect your care plan.

Questions to Ask Your Anesthesia Team

You are always entitled to understand what anesthetic agent will be used for your procedure. Here are good questions to ask during your pre-operative visit:

• "What anesthetic will be used for my surgery?"
• "Are there any differences in recovery time or side effects with the planned agent compared to others?"
• "Do I have any risk factors (like a family history of malignant hyperthermia) that should influence the choice of anesthetic?"

How to Stay Informed About Drug Shortages

If you want to check for yourself whether Terrell is on the shortage list, you can visit the FDA Drug Shortages Database at fda.gov and search for "isoflurane." The ASHP shortage list (ashp.org) is also regularly updated and includes clinical guidance.

If you or a family member needs help finding other medications that are hard to locate at pharmacies, medfinder can help by calling pharmacies near you to check availability.

Also see: Alternatives to Terrell if you can't fill your prescription for a look at what your surgical team might use instead.