Having trouble finding Nitrofurantoin at your pharmacy? Learn why this common UTI antibiotic is hard to find in 2026 and what you can do about it.
If you've been prescribed Nitrofurantoin — sold under brand names like Macrobid and Macrodantin — and your pharmacist told you it's out of stock, you're not alone. Thousands of patients across the country have struggled to fill this common prescription in recent months. Let's break down what's going on and what you can do about it.
Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic that has been used since the 1950s to treat uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs). It belongs to a class of drugs called nitrofuran antibiotics and works by targeting multiple systems inside bacteria — disrupting their DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis all at once. This multi-pronged attack is one reason bacterial resistance to Nitrofurantoin remains remarkably low, even after decades of use.
Nitrofurantoin is considered a first-line treatment for uncomplicated UTIs by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). It's available as generic capsules and as brand-name products like Macrobid (100 mg monohydrate/macrocrystals) and Macrodantin (25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg macrocrystalline capsules). There's also an oral suspension form called Furadantin.
There are several factors contributing to the difficulty patients face when trying to fill their Nitrofurantoin prescriptions in 2026:
The Nitrofurantoin oral suspension has been on the ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) drug shortage list. Somerset Therapeutics, a key supplier, had the suspension on back order through early 2026. When the suspension is unavailable, patients who need a liquid form — including children and those who can't swallow capsules — face real challenges.
While generic Nitrofurantoin capsules are made by several companies, the market for the oral suspension is much smaller. When even one manufacturer runs into production issues, the supply chain can be disrupted for months. Fewer suppliers mean less cushion when problems arise.
As antibiotic resistance to drugs like Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim) continues to climb — with E. coli resistance rates exceeding 20% in some regions — more prescribers are turning to Nitrofurantoin as their go-to UTI antibiotic. This increased demand puts additional strain on an already tight supply.
Even when Nitrofurantoin is technically available at the wholesale level, individual pharmacies may not have it in stock. Large chain pharmacies often use automated ordering systems that can be slow to restock, and some pharmacies simply carry less inventory of certain medications. This creates a patchwork of availability that varies from pharmacy to pharmacy and town to town.
If you're struggling to find Nitrofurantoin, here are some practical steps:
Nitrofurantoin remains one of the most effective and affordable antibiotics for treating UTIs, and the good news is that the capsule form is generally available even when the suspension isn't. The shortage situation has been improving, but spot shortages at individual pharmacies can still happen.
If you're dealing with a UTI and can't wait, don't hesitate to use tools like Medfinder to locate your medication quickly, or talk to your doctor about the latest shortage updates and alternatives. Your health shouldn't have to wait because of a supply chain hiccup.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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