Bacitracin Ophthalmic Ointment shortage
Bacitracin ophthalmic ointments are on the FDA’s drug shortage list as of Oct 6, 2026. The company reporting it blames a company discontinuing its product.
Bacitracin ophthalmic ointment is being discontinued by Padagis, and this change may be permanent. No other manufacturer is currently listed as a source for this product.
Don’t stop or change your therapy on your own — ask your pharmacist about other companies’ versions and your prescriber about a long-term plan.
Do you take this medicine? See the ‘What to do’ note from Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD →Is bacitracin still in shortage? — status as of Oct 6, 2026
Yes, still current as of Oct 6, 2026. Right now we could not find any company still making the one strength on the record. The one company that reported this shortage does not report any supply, and we could not find another company that sells it. Your pharmacy may still need to order it.
The charts count only the companies that reported this shortage to the FDA; we could not confirm another company listing it (see below).
Shortage timeline
-
Jun 1, 2026Currently in shortage1 of 1 product affected.
-
Mar 3, 2025First reported to the FDA1 product 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.
Which bacitracin products are affected — by company
Company: Padagis US LLC 📞 866-634-9120 1 NDC click to expand
| Status | NDC / product | Strength | Availability | Related information | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current | Bacitracin Ophthalmic Ointment, 3.5 g | 3.5 g | Unavailable | Shortage is estimated for 24 months | Discontinuation of the manufacture of the drug |
These rows are company reports to the FDA for Bacitracin Ophthalmic Ointment — they do not cover every company that lists this medicine. A company appears here only if it told the FDA it has a supply problem, so other companies may still have stock.
Why is bacitracin in shortage?
Padagis US LLC has made the decision to permanently stop manufacturing their version of Bacitracin Ophthalmic Ointment — meaning this isn't a temporary factory hold-up, but a full discontinuation of production. The specific product affected is their 3.5 g tube (NDC 0574-4022-35), and it is currently unavailable. According to what Padagis reported to the FDA, the shortage from this manufacturer is estimated to last 24 months.
It's worth knowing that this report reflects only what Padagis has shared with the FDA about their own product. Other manufacturers of bacitracin ophthalmic ointment may have filed separate reports, or may not be on the shortage list at all.
Based on the company-reported reason(s) and notes on file with the FDA for Bacitracin Ophthalmic Ointment, summarized in plain English by HelloPharmacist. A drug can be short for more than one reason, and the FDA updates these as companies report changes.
What should I do if I take bacitracin?
Bacitracin ophthalmic ointment is currently on the FDA drug-shortage list, and I want to walk you through what this means for you.
The only strength on this record is the 3.5 g ointment, and right now that strength has no available source among the company reporting this shortage. There are no other strengths listed with supply, and no other maker in our records to point you to.
The reported reason is that the manufacturer (Padagis US LLC) has discontinued making this product. Because this is a discontinuation rather than a short-term delay, this supply problem may be permanent. The record notes the shortage is estimated to last about 24 months, and it has already run longer than a year. That makes a conversation with your prescriber the right next step.
Here is what I suggest, in order:
- Do not stop or change how you use this medicine on your own.
- Ask your pharmacy to check wholesalers and other manufacturers, since local stock can differ from national reports.
- Because this strength is discontinued, ask your prescriber or pharmacist about a clinician-chosen alternative that fits your needs.
- The manufacturer's contact number is listed on this page for reference; your pharmacy usually handles those calls.
This is general, national information and may not match your local pharmacy's actual stock.
- Ask your pharmacy to check other companies’ versions, other strengths, package sizes, and nearby stores.
- If this is part of an ongoing or essential regimen (for example HIV, seizure, heart, transplant, diabetes or mental-health medicines), arrange continued supply before you run out rather than rationing doses.
Therapeutic equivalents & pricing 1 productclick 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacitracin 500 [USP'U]/g | Padagis | 1 tube | $29.626 | — | Discontinued |
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 bacitracin — that fall in the same broad treatment class (ophthalmic 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.
Codes & classification for pharmacists and billers
Where does this data come from?
Bacitracin shortage FAQs
Is bacitracin still in shortage?
Which strengths of bacitracin are affected?
Why is bacitracin in shortage?
Which bacitracin products are affected?
When will bacitracin be available again?
What should I do if I take bacitracin?
Still have a question about the bacitracin shortage?
Ask a pharmacist about this shortage →View Bacitracin Ophthalmic Ointment 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 (companies listing the same ingredient & form — the "other companies" the rating counts); 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.