Tretinoin Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

Tretinoin exists in two very different worlds when it comes to supply in 2026. Oral Tretinoin capsules — prescribed for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) — are listed by the FDA as currently in shortage. Topical Tretinoin — the cream, gel, and lotion used by millions for acne and antiaging — is not in a formal national shortage but has been affected by manufacturer discontinuations that are creating real-world access problems for some patients.

This article gives you the most current picture of both situations so you know exactly what you're dealing with and what your best options are.

The Official FDA Status: Oral Tretinoin Capsules Are in Shortage

The FDA's active drug shortage database lists oral Tretinoin capsules as currently in shortage. This formulation is used almost exclusively to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer where Tretinoin (ATRA — all-trans retinoic acid) induces differentiation of abnormal promyelocytes and has dramatically improved survival outcomes since the 1990s.

APL is treated at specialized hematology/oncology centers, and the shortage is managed primarily at the hospital level. If you or a loved one is being treated for APL, your oncology team is the best resource — they have established protocols for navigating drug shortages and can access alternative sourcing channels not available at retail pharmacies.

Topical Tretinoin: Not in Shortage, But Access Is Still Complicated

For the far larger population using topical Tretinoin for acne and skin care, the situation is different. Generic topical Tretinoin is not on the FDA's shortage list — it is manufactured by multiple companies and is generally available. However, patients are still reporting difficulty filling prescriptions, and there are legitimate reasons for it:

Manufacturer discontinuations:

In early 2025, Mylan Pharmaceuticals discontinued its Avita Cream formulation. When a manufacturer exits, it doesn't eliminate all supply, but it does reduce the number of available products and can disrupt what pharmacies have stocked.

Formulation fragmentation:

Tretinoin comes in over a dozen different concentration and formulation combinations. No single pharmacy carries all of them. Your specific 0.05% gel might be unavailable at your usual pharmacy while 0.025% cream sits on the shelf nearby.

Surging demand from telehealth:

Telehealth platforms have significantly expanded access to Tretinoin prescriptions, increasing overall demand. This means more patients are competing for pharmacy inventory at any given time.

Which Patients Are Most Affected?

The patients most likely to face access difficulties in 2026 include:

APL patients needing oral Tretinoin capsules — highest priority, most severe impact

Patients prescribed less-common concentrations (e.g., 0.1% gel, 0.08% gel) that fewer pharmacies stock

Patients using specific brand-name versions (Altreno lotion, Retin-A, Renova) that have limited pharmacy distribution

Patients in rural or suburban areas with fewer pharmacy options near them

What Patients Can Do Right Now

If you're struggling to fill your Tretinoin prescription, these steps can help:

Contact your prescriber to see if a different concentration or formulation is clinically equivalent and may be easier to find.

Try multiple pharmacies — independent pharmacies near dermatology offices often have broader stock.

Use medfinder to check which pharmacies near you have your specific Tretinoin in stock without making multiple calls yourself.

Ask your pharmacy to special-order your formulation if it's not on the shelf — most pharmacies can get generic Tretinoin within 1–3 business days.

Consider a mail-order pharmacy or telehealth platform that dispenses Tretinoin directly.

The Bottom Line on the 2026 Tretinoin Shortage

The shortage is serious and ongoing for oral Tretinoin. For topical Tretinoin, the situation is disruptive but manageable — generic supply exists, and most patients who persist through a few extra steps can fill their prescription. Use medfinder to quickly locate the nearest pharmacy with your prescription in stock. If you're hitting a wall, our guide to alternatives to Tretinoin covers what other retinoids your dermatologist might be able to offer.