Cefotaxime Sodium Powder for Solution shortage
Cefotaxime sodium powders for solution are on the FDA’s drug shortage list as of Oct 8, 2026. The companies reporting it blame rising demand.
Cefotaxime sodium powder for solution is in a current shortage that has lasted over a year, driven by higher demand. Only the 1 g and 2 g strengths still have a listed source among reporting makers, while the 10 g and 500 mg strengths have none listed, and no other makers list this medicine.
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 cefotaxime sodium still in shortage? — status as of Oct 8, 2026
Yes, still current as of Oct 8, 2026. 2 of the 4 strengths are still made by at least one company; 2 are not. 1 of the 2 companies that reported this shortage says it still has some 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
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Sep 18, 2026Currently in shortage6 of 6 products affected.
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Jun 15, 2026FDA refreshed this shortage record2 products updated.
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Feb 17, 2015First reported to the FDA6 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.
Which cefotaxime sodium products are affected — by company
Company: Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. 📞 800-631-2174 4 NDCS click to expand
| Status | NDC / product | Strength | Availability | Related information | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current | Cefotaxime Sodium Powder for Solution, 10 g | 10 g | Unavailable | Estimated recovery: TBD | Demand increase for the drug |
| Current | Cefotaxime Sodium Powder for Solution, 1 g | 1 g | Unavailable | Estimated recovery: TBD | Demand increase for the drug |
| Current | Cefotaxime Sodium Powder for Solution, 500 mg | 500 mg | Unavailable | Estimated recovery: TBD | Demand increase for the drug |
| Current | Cefotaxime Sodium Powder for Solution, 2 g | 2 g | Unavailable | Estimated recovery: TBD | Demand increase for the drug |
Company: SteriMax, Inc. 📞 800-881-3550 2 NDCS click to expand
| Status | NDC / product | Strength | Availability | Related information | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current | Cefotaxime Sodium Powder for Solution, 1 g | 1 g | Available | — | — |
| Current | Cefotaxime Sodium Powder for Solution, 2 g | 2 g | Available | — | — |
These rows are company reports to the FDA for Cefotaxime Sodium Powder for Solution — 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 cefotaxime sodium in shortage?
Cefotaxime sodium powder (the kind that's mixed into a liquid for injection) is on the FDA shortage list because of a "demand increase." In plain terms, more people need it than the maker expected, so supply hasn't kept up.
This report comes from Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA, which lists four sizes as currently unavailable: 500 mg, 1 g, 2 g, and 10 g. For all four, Hikma's estimated recovery date is "TBD," meaning it hasn't shared when they'll be back. The report doesn't give any other cause or details.
The report also includes SteriMax, Inc., which lists its 1 g and 2 g sizes as available right now. I'm only describing what these two companies reported to the FDA, so this isn't the full picture of every maker.
Based on the company-reported reason(s) and notes on file with the FDA for Cefotaxime Sodium Powder for Solution, 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 cefotaxime sodium?
Cefotaxime sodium powder for solution is currently listed on the FDA drug-shortage list. This is an injectable antibiotic, so it is usually given in a hospital or clinic setting.
Two strengths still have a listed source: 1 g and 2 g. Two strengths have no listed source right now: 500 mg and 10 g. If you are not sure which strength you receive, your pharmacist or care team can tell you.
The FDA reports that the shortage is due to increased demand for the drug, and it has lasted more than a year. Of the two manufacturers on this report, one still lists 1 g and 2 g supply as available. No recovery date has been given for any strength. This is national, manufacturer-reported information and may not match what a local pharmacy or hospital has in stock.
What you can do:
- Do not stop, skip, or change your treatment on your own.
- If you use the 1 g or 2 g strength, ask your pharmacy to order it. Pharmacies can check wholesalers and the manufacturer that still lists supply.
- If you use the 500 mg or 10 g strength, ask your prescriber or pharmacist about options. These might include using a different strength to make up your dose or another treatment your clinician chooses.
- Manufacturer contact numbers are listed on this page for reference. Pharmacies usually handle these calls.
This is general information, not personal medical advice.
- 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.
Uses, dosing, side effects, prices, and the complete FDA label — written in plain English and pharmacist-reviewed.
Therapeutic equivalents & pricing 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cefotaxime 10 g | Hikma | 1 injection | — | — | FDA listed |
| Cefotaxime 1 g | Hikma | 25 vials | — | — | FDA listed |
| Cefotaxime 1 g | SteriMax | 10 vials | — | — | FDA listed |
| Claforan 1 g | SteriMax | 10 vials | — | — | FDA listed |
| Cefotaxime 500 mg | Hikma | 10 vials | — | — | 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 cefotaxime sodium — that fall in the same broad treatment class (cephalosporin antibiotics - 3rd generation) . 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?
Cefotaxime sodium shortage FAQs
Is cefotaxime sodium still in shortage?
Which strengths of cefotaxime sodium are affected?
Why is cefotaxime sodium in shortage?
Which cefotaxime sodium products are affected?
When will cefotaxime sodium be available again?
What should I do if I take cefotaxime sodium?
Still have a question about the cefotaxime sodium shortage?
Ask a pharmacist about this shortage →View Cefotaxime Sodium Powder, For Solution 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.