Why Is Relador So Hard to Find? [Explained for 2026]

If you've been sent to the pharmacy for Relador — a topical anesthetic cream containing lidocaine and prilocaine — and come home empty-handed, you're not alone. Patients and healthcare providers across the country are reporting difficulty filling prescriptions for lidocaine-based products in 2026. Here's a clear explanation of what's happening and what you can do to find your medication.

What Is Relador and Why Is It Prescribed?

Relador is a brand-name topical anesthetic cream made by Accelis Pharma. Its active ingredients are lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5% — the same combination found in the original brand EMLA cream. Doctors prescribe Relador to numb the skin before procedures like IV placements, blood draws, minor surgeries, dermatology procedures, laser treatments, and dental work. When applied to the skin 45–60 minutes before a procedure and covered with an occlusive dressing, it reliably blocks pain signals to the brain.

Relador is not a controlled substance, so there are no DEA-related restrictions on prescribing or dispensing. But that doesn't mean it's always easy to find.

Is There a Shortage of Relador in 2026?

The short answer is: it's complicated. Relador itself — as a brand — isn't separately tracked on the FDA shortage database. But its core active ingredient, lidocaine, is at the center of a well-documented, long-running shortage. As of early 2026, lidocaine products remain on the ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) drug shortage list. The FDA has tracked lidocaine supply disruptions since at least June 2012.

While the most severe impacts are felt in injectable lidocaine formulations used in hospitals and surgical settings, the ripple effects reach topical products too. Lidocaine viscous 2% oral solution was actively listed on the ASHP shortage list with Hikma having bottles on allocation as of December 2025. Localized stock-outs of topical lidocaine-based creams, including generic lidocaine-prilocaine, have been reported across many regions.

Why Is Lidocaine in Short Supply? The Root Causes

Several structural factors drive the persistent lidocaine supply crunch:

Manufacturing concentration: Only two major US manufacturers (Pfizer and Fresenius Kabi USA) produce injectable lidocaine. When either one has production delays, the entire market tightens.

No domestic API suppliers: While some finished-dose lidocaine is manufactured in the US, the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) relies entirely on overseas supply chains — creating vulnerability to global disruptions.

Low profit margins: Lidocaine is a decades-old generic drug. Its low price means thin margins, making it economically unattractive for manufacturers to expand capacity.

Surging demand: An aging population, more outpatient procedures, and a post-pandemic rebound in elective surgeries have all significantly increased demand for local anesthetics like lidocaine.

COVID-19 aftermath: Manufacturing disruptions during the pandemic pushed some facilities to prioritize COVID-19 vaccine production, displacing production of essential generics like lidocaine.

Which Relador Formulations Are Most Affected?

Relador cream (lidocaine 2.5%/prilocaine 2.5%) is a topical product and not typically stocked in the same supply chain as injectable lidocaine. However, supply disruptions at the API level affect all lidocaine-containing formulations to varying degrees. Here's the current picture:

Relador Pak and Relador Pak Plus: These branded kits (cream + dressing) may not be stocked at every pharmacy. They're primarily ordered for specific procedures and may require special ordering.

Generic lidocaine-prilocaine cream: The generic version (EMLA equivalent) is generally more available than branded Relador Pak, but localized stock-outs still occur.

Availability varies dramatically by pharmacy: One CVS may be out while a Walgreens two miles away has stock. Independent pharmacies sometimes maintain supply when chains don't, and vice versa.

What Pfizer and Other Manufacturers Are Doing

Pfizer had multiple injectable lidocaine formulations on back order in late 2025 and into 2026, with estimated recovery dates for some products in March–April 2026. The Abboject LifeShield pre-filled syringes were discontinued entirely in mid-2025. Alternative manufacturers like Eugia US and Sintetica have available inventory through major distributors (Cardinal Health, McKesson, Cencora), but supply remains inconsistent. The FDA has implemented expedited review processes for new manufacturing approvals in an effort to bring more suppliers online.

What Can You Do If Your Pharmacy Doesn't Have Relador?

Don't give up after the first pharmacy. Here are practical steps you can take:

Ask about the generic: Generic lidocaine-prilocaine 2.5%/2.5% cream is therapeutically equivalent to Relador and is often more available at lower cost.

Call multiple pharmacies: Stock levels vary dramatically between locations. Call chains (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Costco) and independent pharmacies in your area.

Use medfinder: medfinder is a paid service that calls pharmacies near you to check which ones currently have your medication in stock — and texts you the results, saving you hours on the phone.

Talk to your prescriber about alternatives: Benzocaine gel, tetracaine, or other topical anesthetics may be substituted depending on the procedure.

Try compounding pharmacies: Compounding pharmacies can sometimes prepare lidocaine-prilocaine cream when commercial supply is short, though this requires a prescription specifying a compounded formulation.

When Will the Shortage Ease?

There is no definitive end date for lidocaine supply disruptions. The structural root causes — few manufacturers, no domestic API production, low profit margins — remain unresolved. While Pfizer targeted recovery of some formulations in early-to-mid 2026, healthcare experts caution that intermittent shortages may persist well beyond 2026 without major policy and manufacturing investment changes.

If you're struggling to locate Relador or generic lidocaine-prilocaine at a pharmacy near you, medfinder can help. Our service contacts pharmacies on your behalf so you don't have to spend hours calling around. For more tips, see our guides on

how to find Relador in stock near you and alternatives to Relador if you can't get it filled.