Uceris has been hard to find at pharmacies since 2022. Learn why Uceris is in short supply and what you can do to find it in stock near you in 2026.
You go to pick up your Uceris prescription, and the pharmacist tells you it's out of stock. No ETA on when it's coming back. Sound familiar?
If you've been struggling to find Uceris (Budesonide) at your local pharmacy, you're far from alone. Thousands of patients with ulcerative colitis have been dealing with this exact problem — and it's been going on for years now.
In this post, we'll explain exactly why Uceris is so hard to find in 2026, what's driving the shortage, and what steps you can take to get your medication.
Uceris is a brand-name prescription medication made by Bausch Health. Its active ingredient is Budesonide, a locally-acting corticosteroid that reduces inflammation in the colon.
Uceris comes in two forms:
Both formulations are FDA-approved for inducing remission in adults with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. The rectal foam is specifically designed for distal UC — inflammation in the lower part of the colon.
What makes Budesonide different from other steroids like Prednisone is that it works mostly at the site of inflammation. About 90% of it is broken down by the liver before reaching the rest of your body, which means fewer systemic side effects like weight gain, mood swings, and bone loss.
There's no single reason Uceris has been difficult to find. It's a combination of factors that have created a perfect storm for patients.
The Uceris rectal foam is an aerosol product, which requires specialized manufacturing equipment and facilities. Unlike a simple tablet, producing a metered-dose foam canister involves complex formulation, pressurized filling, and strict quality controls. Very few manufacturers have the capability to produce this type of product, which limits how quickly supply can ramp up when demand spikes.
Bausch Health is the primary manufacturer of brand-name Uceris. While generic Budesonide extended-release tablets are available from a handful of generic manufacturers, the rectal foam formulation has far fewer producers. When one manufacturer has a production issue — whether it's equipment maintenance, raw material delays, or a quality hold — it can affect the entire national supply.
The pharmaceutical supply chain has been under strain since 2020. Raw material sourcing, shipping delays, and regulatory inspections have all contributed to intermittent shortages across many medications — and Uceris has been particularly affected. The specialized ingredients and packaging components needed for the foam formulation make it more vulnerable to these disruptions.
Even when Uceris is technically available, insurance hurdles can make it feel impossible to get. Many insurance plans require prior authorization or step therapy (meaning you have to try Mesalamine first) before they'll cover Uceris. While you're waiting for approvals, pharmacies may not keep the medication in stock because demand at any single location is unpredictable.
Specialty pharmacies and mail-order pharmacies sometimes have better access than your neighborhood retail pharmacy, but patients don't always know to look there.
The good news is that Uceris is not completely unavailable — it just takes more effort to track down. Here are some practical steps:
Tools like Medfinder let you search for pharmacies that currently have Uceris in stock near your location. Instead of calling pharmacy after pharmacy, you can check availability online in seconds.
If you're taking the extended-release tablet form, ask your doctor or pharmacist about generic Budesonide ER tablets. They're the same active ingredient at a fraction of the cost and are often easier to find in stock. Generic options typically run $300 to $600 for a 30-day supply compared to $1,200+ for brand-name Uceris.
Large chain pharmacies often have the most demand and the fastest turnover. Independent pharmacies and specialty pharmacies that focus on gastroenterology medications may have better luck keeping Uceris on their shelves. Don't overlook mail-order pharmacy options through your insurance plan, either.
If you simply cannot find Uceris, your doctor may be able to prescribe an alternative. Mesalamine, Hydrocortisone rectal foam, or even short-term Prednisone may be appropriate depending on your situation. Never stop your UC treatment without talking to your provider first.
If your insurance requires prior authorization, ask your doctor's office to submit it as soon as the prescription is written — not when you arrive at the pharmacy. This can save you days or even weeks of waiting.
It's hard to say exactly when supply will fully normalize. The extended-release tablet form has been more consistently available, especially in generic versions. The rectal foam remains harder to find due to its specialized manufacturing requirements.
The FDA continues to monitor the situation, and manufacturers are working to increase production. But for now, patients should plan ahead and use every tool available to secure their supply.
For the latest updates on Uceris availability, check out our Uceris shortage update for 2026.
Dealing with a medication shortage on top of managing ulcerative colitis is incredibly frustrating. You shouldn't have to spend hours on the phone just to get a medication your doctor prescribed.
The key is to be proactive: use tools like Medfinder to check stock in real time, explore generic options, and keep an open line of communication with your healthcare provider about backup plans.
You deserve access to the treatment that works for you — and we're here to help you find it.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
Try Medfinder Concierge FreeMedfinder's mission is to ensure every patient gets access to the medications they need. We believe this begins with trustworthy information. Our core values guide everything we do, including the standards that shape the accuracy, transparency, and quality of our content. We’re committed to delivering information that’s evidence-based, regularly updated, and easy to understand. For more details on our editorial process, see here.
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