Azithromycin Tablet shortage
Azithromycin Tablet is currently listed in shortage by the FDA. The FDA lists 2 affected products. This page was last refreshed from FDA data on Sep 22, 2026.
Pfizer is permanently stopping production of its azithromycin tablets in both the 250 mg and 500 mg strengths. Other makers — including those that sell Zithromax (azithromycin) tablets — still list supply of both strengths.
Don’t stop or change your therapy on your own — talk with your prescriber about the plan that fits you, and ask your pharmacist what’s actually available (see options).
Do you take this drug? See the ‘What to do’ recommendation from Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD →What’s in shortage — at a glance
These figures count only the manufacturers that reported this shortage to the FDA — not every company that makes Azithromycin Tablet. Other makers that haven’t reported a problem are shown in the green card below.
Shortage timeline
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Apr 9, 2026Currently in shortage2 of 2 products affected.
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Apr 9, 2026First reported to the FDA2 products first listed.
Built from FDA posting and update dates. The end date FDA publishes is the posting/update date, not a true resolution date, so durations are approximate.
What exactly is on backorder — by manufacturer
Manufacturer: Pfizer Inc. 📞 800-533-4535 2 NDCS click to expand
| Status | NDC / product | Strength | Availability | Related information | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| To Be Discontinued | Zithromax, Tablet, 500 mg (NDC 0069-3070-30) | — | — | Discontinuation of the manufacture of the drug | — |
| To Be Discontinued | Zithromax, Tablet, 250 mg (NDC 0069-4061-01) | — | — | Discontinuation of the manufacture of the drug | — |
These rows are manufacturer reports to the FDA for Azithromycin Tablet — they do not necessarily cover every manufacturer that makes this drug. A company appears here only if it told the FDA it has a supply problem, so other makers may still have stock. That’s the basis for the Where else can I get Azithromycin Tablet? options further down this page.
Why is Azithromycin Tablet in shortage?
Pfizer has let the FDA know that they are permanently stopping the manufacturing of their brand-name Zithromax azithromycin tablets — specifically the 250 mg and 500 mg tablet versions. This applies to Pfizer's own product and is not a temporary hold-up at the factory; it's a permanent decision to stop making these particular tablets altogether.
It's worth knowing that Pfizer did not share a specific public reason for why they made this decision — just that manufacturing is being discontinued. This report only reflects Pfizer's branded Zithromax tablets, so it doesn't speak to what other manufacturers may or may not have available.
Based on the manufacturer-reported reason(s) and notes on file with the FDA for Azithromycin Tablet, summarized in plain English by HelloPharmacist. A drug can be short for more than one reason, and the FDA updates these as manufacturers report changes.
What should I do if I take Azithromycin Tablet?
Azithromycin tablets are currently listed on the FDA drug-shortage list. I know that can feel unsettling, so let me walk you through what this report actually shows.
The record filed here comes from Pfizer, the maker of the brand Zithromax, and it covers both the 250 mg and 500 mg tablets. Neither strength has an available source from this manufacturer right now. The reason listed is that Pfizer is discontinuing manufacture of these tablets, so for this maker the supply problem may be permanent rather than short-term. No estimated recovery date is given because the product is being discontinued.
It is important to know that this report reflects only Pfizer's filing. Azithromycin is the same medicine whether it comes from one company or another, and other makers still hold records for the same tablets — including Lannett, Sandoz, Major Pharmaceuticals, and AvKARE.
Here is what I suggest:
- Do not stop, skip, or change your dose on your own.
- Ask your pharmacy to order azithromycin from another manufacturer, such as those listed above; your pharmacy can check wholesalers, though a given brand may not be in local stock.
- If your exact tablet cannot be found, ask your prescriber or pharmacist about a clinician-chosen option.
Manufacturer contact numbers appear on this page for reference; pharmacies usually handle those calls.
This is general, national information and may not match your pharmacy's actual stock.
- Don’t stop or change the medication on your own — talk to your prescriber first.
- If this is part of an ongoing or essential regimen (for example HIV treatment or prevention, seizure, heart, transplant, diabetes or mental-health medicines), do not skip or ration doses — contact your pharmacist or prescriber right away to arrange continued supply before you run out.
- Ask your pharmacy to check other manufacturers, strengths, package sizes, and nearby stores.
- Ask your prescriber whether a different strength, formulation, or the brand/generic version is appropriate.
Uses, dosing, side effects, prices, and the complete FDA label — written in plain English and pharmacist-reviewed.
Where else can I get Azithromycin Tablet?
FDA shortages are manufacturer-reported — a company only shows up on the shortage list if it told the FDA it has a supply problem, so not every maker of Azithromycin Tablet is necessarily short. Below we pull together the other still-marketed options that are not reported in shortage: the same medicine from manufacturers that haven’t reported a problem, and alternative dosage forms. These may still be out of stock at your pharmacy, and only your prescriber or pharmacist can decide what’s right for you.
Same medicine, other manufacturers (not reported short)
Same active ingredient, dosage form & route as the shortage (matched on the FDB HICL ingredient code), from makers that have not filed a shortage with the FDA:
| Product | Strength | Form / route | Manufacturer | NDC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zithromax | AZITHROMYCIN DIHYDRATE 250 mg/1 | Tablet, Film Coated · Oral | Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc | 00069-3060-30 |
| Zithromax | AZITHROMYCIN DIHYDRATE 500 mg/1 | Tablet, Film Coated · Oral | Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc | 00069-3070-75 |
| Azithromycin | AZITHROMYCIN DIHYDRATE 250 mg/1 | Tablet, Film Coated · Oral | Lannett Company, Inc. | 00527-2370-20 |
| Azithromycin | AZITHROMYCIN DIHYDRATE 500 mg/1 | Tablet, Film Coated · Oral | Lannett Company, Inc. | 00527-2395-19 |
| Azithromycin | AZITHROMYCIN DIHYDRATE 250 mg/1 | Tablet, Film Coated · Oral | Sandoz Inc | 00781-8089-26 |
| Azithromycin | AZITHROMYCIN DIHYDRATE 500 mg/1 | Tablet, Film Coated · Oral | Sandoz Inc | 00781-8090-03 |
| Azithromycin | AZITHROMYCIN DIHYDRATE 600 mg/1 | Tablet, Film Coated · Oral | Sandoz Inc | 00781-8091-31 |
| Azithromycin | AZITHROMYCIN DIHYDRATE 250 mg/1 | Tablet, Film Coated · Oral | Major Pharmaceuticals | 00904-7350-06 |
| Azithromycin | AZITHROMYCIN DIHYDRATE 500 mg/1 | Tablet, Film Coated · Oral | Major Pharmaceuticals | 00904-7351-04 |
| Azithromycin | AZITHROMYCIN MONOHYDRATE 600 mg/1 | Tablet, Film Coated · Oral | AvKARE | 42291-0044-30 |
| Azithromycin | AZITHROMYCIN DIHYDRATE 250 mg/1 | Tablet, Film Coated · Oral | AvKARE | 42291-0082-06 |
| Azithromycin | AZITHROMYCIN DIHYDRATE 500 mg/1 | Tablet, Film Coated · Oral | AvKARE | 42291-0083-03 |
Alternative dosage forms of Azithromycin
A different form of the same drug (for example a solution when capsules are short). A form change is a clinical decision — ask your prescriber:
Therapeutic equivalents & pricing 30 productsclick to expand
Orange Book–rated equivalents of the affected strengths, with the latest NADAC price (a federal retail-acquisition benchmark, not your copay) and an evidence-based availability label. Cheapest first.
| Product | Manufacturer | Package | NADAC $/unit | AB rating | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| azithromycin 250 mg | Lannett | 30 tablets | $0.268 | AB | Availability likely |
| Azithromycin 250 mg | Sandoz | 1 tablet | $0.268 | AB | Availability likely |
| azithromycin 250 mg | Major | 50 tablets | $0.268 | AB | Availability likely |
| Azithromycin 250 mg | Teva | 30 tablets | $0.268 | AB | Availability likely |
| Azithromycin 250 mg | American | 100 tablets | $0.268 | AB | Availability likely |
| Azithromycin Dihydrate 250 mg | Precision | 6 tablets | $0.268 | AB | Availability likely |
| azithromycin 250 mg | Lupin | 30 tablets | $0.268 | AB | Availability likely |
| Azithromycin 250 mg | Bionpharma | 6 tablets | $0.268 | AB | Availability likely |
| Azithromycin Dihydrate 250 mg | AvPAK | 1 tablet | $0.357 | AB | Discontinued |
| Azithromycin Dihydrate 250 mg | TAGI | 6 tablets | $0.357 | AB | FDA listed |
| azithromycin 500 mg | Lannett | 30 tablets | $0.560 | AB | Availability likely |
| Azithromycin 500 mg | Sandoz | 3 tablets | $0.560 | AB | Availability likely |
| azithromycin 500 mg | Major | 30 tablets | $0.560 | AB | Availability likely |
| Azithromycin 500 mg | Teva | 30 tablets | $0.560 | AB | Availability likely |
| Azithromycin 500 mg | American | 30 tablets | $0.560 | AB | Availability likely |
| Azithromycin 500 mg | Aurobindo | 30 tablets | $0.560 | AB | Availability likely |
| Azithromycin Dihydrate 500 mg | Precision | 3 tablets | $0.560 | AB | Availability likely |
| azithromycin 500 mg | Lupin | 30 tablets | $0.560 | AB | Availability likely |
| Azithromycin 500 mg | Bionpharma | 30 tablets | $0.560 | AB | Availability likely |
| Azithromycin Dihydrate 500 mg | TAGI | 3 tablets | $0.676 | AB | Discontinued |
| Zithromax 250 mg | Pfizer | 30 tablets | $2.067 | AB | Availability likely |
| Zithromax 250 mg | Pfizer | 30 tablets | $2.081 | AB | Discontinued |
| Zithromax 500 mg | Pfizer | 30 tablets | — | AB | FDA listed |
| Azithromycin 500 mg | AvKARE | 3 tablets | — | AB | FDA listed |
| Azithromycin 500 mg | Alembic | 3 tablets | — | AB | FDA listed |
| Azithromycin 500 mg | A-S | 5 tablets | — | AB | FDA listed |
| Azithromycin 500 mg | A-S | 2 tablets | — | AB | FDA listed |
| Azithromycin Dihydrate 500 mg | A-S | 5 tablets | — | AB | FDA listed |
| Azithromycin Dihydrate 500 mg | A-S | 2 tablets | — | AB | FDA listed |
| Azithromycin Dihydrate 500 mg | A-S | 1 tablet | — | AB | FDA listed |
Equivalents share the same ingredient, strength, dosage form and route; an AB rating means the FDA considers them substitutable. NADAC is a national retail-pharmacy acquisition benchmark from CMS — not what you pay. Availability is inferred from recent pricing, not a stock check.
Other drugs in the same treatment class
These are different medicines — not other versions of Azithromycin Tablet — that fall in the same broad treatment class (macrolide antibiotics) . They are not automatic substitutes: they can differ in how they work, dosing, effectiveness, side effects and what they’re approved to treat. Do not switch on your own. This list is for information only — ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether any of them is appropriate for you.
Identity & classification
Where does this data come from?
Other anti-infective shortages
Azithromycin Tablet shortage FAQs
Is Azithromycin Tablet in shortage?
Which products are affected?
When will Azithromycin Tablet be available again?
Can I still get Azithromycin somewhere?
What should I do if I take Azithromycin Tablet?
Still have a question about the Azithromycin Tablet shortage?
Ask a pharmacist about this shortage →View Azithromycin Tablet on the FDA drug-shortage database →
Where does this data come from?
/drug/shortages) — drug, manufacturer & contact, NDC/product, status, availability, reason, therapeutic category and posting/update dates. Current / To Be Discontinued = active; Resolved is kept for history. The Supply-Risk rating is assessed per active ingredient and adds the FDA NDC Directory (still-marketed manufacturers by ingredient & form); same-medicine and equivalent products use First Databank classification + CMS NADAC pricing; Medicaid use + most-affected states come from CMS Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data. Reference only — confirm current status with the manufacturer or FDA before acting on it.