Tetracaine Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

If you've searched for tetracaine at your local pharmacy and come up empty, you might be wondering whether the drug is in an official shortage. The answer is nuanced — there is no active FDA-declared national shortage as of 2026, but that doesn't mean availability is uniform across the country.

Is Tetracaine in a Shortage in 2026?

As of 2026, the FDA's drug shortage database does not list tetracaine as an active drug in shortage. However, the drug's unique distribution model — where most supply flows directly to medical facilities rather than retail pharmacies — creates the appearance of a shortage for individual patients trying to fill a prescription.

Compounding pharmacies and independent pharmacies are far more likely to carry tetracaine than major chains. The FDA-approved ophthalmic 0.5% solution is manufactured by a small number of companies (including Bausch + Lomb and Somerset Therapeutics), meaning any production disruption at one facility can create regional shortfalls.

What Has Affected Tetracaine Supply Over the Years?

Brand discontinuation: Pontocaine HCl, the original brand-name injectable tetracaine, has been discontinued. While generic alternatives exist, the transition created uncertainty in certain markets.

Limited manufacturer base: Only a handful of companies produce FDA-approved tetracaine products, making the supply chain less resilient compared to drugs with many generic manufacturers.

Clinical distribution model: The majority of tetracaine is distributed directly to hospitals, surgery centers, and eye clinics, bypassing the retail pharmacy network. This means retail shelves may be consistently unstocked even when overall supply is adequate.

Storage requirements: Tetracaine topical solution must be refrigerated and protected from light. These requirements reduce which pharmacies are willing and able to store it.

What the FDA Shortage List Actually Means (and Doesn't Mean)

The FDA only adds a drug to its official shortage list when a drug is either medically necessary and there's an inadequate supply, or when manufacturers voluntarily report supply disruptions. A drug can be genuinely difficult to find at retail pharmacies without ever appearing on the FDA list.

Tetracaine is a prime example: it's not on the FDA list, but individual patients and some healthcare facilities report periodic difficulty sourcing it. This is a supply chain challenge, not an official shortage — but the practical impact on patients is similar.

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

Call independent and compounding pharmacies — these are your best options for locating tetracaine.

Contact your prescribing provider — they may supply it directly from their facility or recommend a pharmacy that reliably stocks it.

Ask about clinically appropriate alternatives like proparacaine (for eye procedures) or lidocaine — but only with your provider's approval.

Use medfinder to search pharmacies without making dozens of calls.

Is Tetracaine Likely to Have a Shortage in the Future?

Tetracaine has a stable demand profile driven by routine ophthalmic and surgical procedures. Its global market is valued at approximately $120–150 million and is projected to grow at 4–5% annually. The drug is inexpensive, off-patent, and has multiple generic suppliers, which reduces the long-term risk of severe shortage. However, because it is not a high-priority retail drug, regional availability may remain uneven.

For more background on why tetracaine can be hard to locate, read our explainer: Why Is Tetracaine So Hard to Find?