Depo-Medrol has been hard to find due to manufacturing delays and increased demand. Learn why there's a shortage and what you can do about it in 2026.
If your doctor recently told you that your Depo-Medrol injection is on backorder — or if your pharmacy can't seem to get it in stock — you're dealing with a frustrating situation that thousands of patients across the country are facing right now.
Depo-Medrol (Methylprednisolone Acetate) is one of the most widely used injectable corticosteroids in the United States, and it has been experiencing supply problems on and off for years. In 2026, many patients are still finding it difficult to locate this medication when they need it most.
In this article, we'll explain exactly what Depo-Medrol is, why it's been so hard to find, and what steps you can take to get the treatment you need.
Depo-Medrol is the brand name for Methylprednisolone Acetate, an injectable corticosteroid made by Pfizer. It belongs to a class of medications called glucocorticoids, which work by reducing inflammation and suppressing the immune system.
Doctors use Depo-Medrol to treat a wide range of conditions, including:
The medication comes as an injectable suspension in three strengths: 20 mg/mL, 40 mg/mL, and 80 mg/mL. It's given by a healthcare provider through intramuscular, intra-articular (into the joint), soft tissue, or intralesional (into the skin lesion) injection.
You can learn more about this medication in our detailed guide: What Is Depo-Medrol? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know.
There are several reasons why Depo-Medrol has been difficult to find in recent years. Here are the main factors driving the shortage:
Depo-Medrol is primarily manufactured by Pfizer, with generic versions produced by Sandoz and other companies. Manufacturing injectable sterile products is a complex process that requires strict quality control. When production lines encounter issues — whether from equipment problems, raw material shortages, or quality control holds — it can take months to catch up.
In 2024 and 2025, both Pfizer and Sandoz experienced manufacturing delays that affected multiple strengths of Methylprednisolone Acetate injection, including the commonly used 40 mg/mL and 80 mg/mL vials.
Demand for injectable corticosteroids has been growing steadily. As the population ages and more people seek treatment for joint pain, arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions, the need for medications like Depo-Medrol has gone up. When supply can't keep pace with demand, shortages result.
Only a handful of companies make Methylprednisolone Acetate injection. When one manufacturer has a production problem, there aren't many other sources to fill the gap. This limited competition makes the supply chain fragile and vulnerable to disruptions.
Methylprednisolone Acetate injection has had a troubled supply history. The most notable event was the 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak linked to contaminated compounded Methylprednisolone injections from the New England Compounding Center (NECC). That tragedy led to increased scrutiny of compounding pharmacies and tighter regulations — but it also highlighted how dependent the healthcare system is on a limited number of suppliers.
Since then, the drug has experienced intermittent shortages, and the 2024-2025 manufacturing delays have made the situation worse heading into 2026.
If you're having trouble finding Depo-Medrol for your next injection, here are some practical steps you can take:
The fastest way to find Depo-Medrol in stock is to use Medfinder. Medfinder tracks real-time medication availability across pharmacies, so you can quickly see which locations near you have it on hand.
Big chain pharmacies often run out of medications that are in shortage because they serve high volumes of patients. Independent pharmacies may have Depo-Medrol in stock because they have different supply chains and ordering flexibility. Call a few independent pharmacies in your area to check.
If Depo-Medrol simply isn't available, your doctor may be able to switch you to a similar injectable corticosteroid. Common alternatives include Kenalog (Triamcinolone Acetonide), Celestone Soluspan (Betamethasone), or Aristospan (Triamcinolone Hexacetonide). These medications work in similar ways and may be more readily available.
Many doctor's offices and clinics stock Depo-Medrol directly, rather than having patients pick it up at a pharmacy. If your provider administers the injection in-office, they may be able to source it through their medical supplier even when retail pharmacies are out of stock.
The FDA and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) both maintain updated lists of drug shortages. Check these resources periodically for the latest information on Methylprednisolone Acetate injection availability. You can also read our Depo-Medrol shortage update for 2026 for the latest details.
Dealing with a medication shortage is stressful, especially when you're counting on Depo-Medrol to manage pain, inflammation, or a chronic condition. The good news is that the shortage won't last forever — manufacturers are working to restore supply, and there are steps you can take right now to find the medication you need.
Start by checking Medfinder to see which pharmacies near you have Depo-Medrol in stock. And if you can't find it, talk to your doctor about alternatives that might work for your situation.
For more tips on finding this medication, read our guide: How to Find Depo-Medrol in Stock Near You.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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