Cefotaxime Sodium Powder, For Solution shortage
Cefotaxime Sodium Powder, For Solution is currently listed in shortage by the FDA. The FDA lists 6 affected products. The reported reason: Demand increase for the drug. This page was last refreshed from FDA data on Sep 17, 2026.
Cefotaxime sodium injection is in shortage due to rising demand, and has been for over a year. The 1 g and 2 g doses still have some supply from one maker, but the 500 mg and 10 g doses have no available source right now.
Don’t stop or change your therapy on your own — ask your pharmacist about other manufacturers and your prescriber about a long-term plan.
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 Cefotaxime Sodium Powder, For Solution. Other makers that haven’t reported a problem are shown in the green card below.
Shortage timeline
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Sep 3, 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.
What exactly is on backorder — by manufacturer
Manufacturer: 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 (NDC 0143-9935-01) | — | Unavailable | Estimated recovery: TBD | Demand increase for the drug |
| Current | Cefotaxime Sodium, Powder, for Solution, 2 g (NDC 0143-9933-25) | — | Unavailable | Estimated recovery: TBD | Demand increase for the drug |
| Current | Cefotaxime Sodium, Powder, for Solution, 500 mg (NDC 0143-9930-10) | — | Unavailable | Estimated recovery: TBD | Demand increase for the drug |
| Current | Cefotaxime Sodium, Powder, for Solution, 1 g (NDC 0143-9931-25) | — | Unavailable | Estimated recovery: TBD | Demand increase for the drug |
Manufacturer: 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 (NDC 21586-011-02) | — | Available | — | — |
| Current | Cefotaxime Sodium, Powder, for Solution, 2 g (NDC 21586-012-02) | — | Available | — | — |
These rows are manufacturer reports to the FDA for Cefotaxime Sodium Powder, For Solution — 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 Cefotaxime Sodium Powder, For Solution? options further down this page.
Why is Cefotaxime Sodium Powder, For Solution in shortage?
The reason Hikma Pharmaceuticals' cefotaxime sodium is on the shortage list is straightforward — more people need this medication than Hikma is currently able to supply. That surge in demand has left all four of their package sizes unavailable right now: the 500 mg, 1 g, 2 g, and 10 g vials. Unfortunately, Hikma hasn't been able to give a firm date for when their supply will catch back up — the estimated recovery timeline is listed as "to be determined" for every one of those sizes.
It's worth knowing that this report covers only Hikma's products. SteriMax, Inc. has separately reported to the FDA that their 1 g and 2 g versions of cefotaxime sodium are currently available, so the shortage picture may be different depending on which manufacturer a pharmacy is sourcing from.
Based on the manufacturer-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 manufacturers report changes.
What should I do if I take Cefotaxime Sodium Powder, For Solution?
Cefotaxime sodium powder for solution is currently on the FDA drug-shortage list. This is an injectable antibiotic, and I want to walk you through where the supply stands so you can find the strength you use.
The 1 g and 2 g strengths still have an available source from one manufacturer (SteriMax). The 500 mg and 10 g strengths currently have no available source reported. The listed reason is a rise in demand for this medicine. Two manufacturers appear on this record, and one of them is still reporting supply, so this is not a full stoppage across every maker. Estimated recovery for all strengths is listed as "to be determined." This shortage has lasted over a year.
Here is what you can do:
- Do not stop, skip, or change your dose on your own.
- If you use the 1 g or 2 g strength, ask your pharmacy to order it — pharmacies can check wholesalers and other manufacturers for available stock.
- If your strength (500 mg or 10 g) cannot be found, ask your prescriber or pharmacist about options, such as adjusting the strength used or a clinician-chosen alternative.
- Manufacturer contact numbers are listed on this page for reference, though pharmacies usually make these calls.
This is national, manufacturer-reported data and may not match your local 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.
Therapeutic equivalents & pricing 4 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 2 g | Hikma | 25 vials | — | — | FDA listed |
| Cefotaxime 2 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 Powder, For Solution — 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.
Identity & classification
Where does this data come from?
Cefotaxime Sodium Powder, For Solution shortage FAQs
Is Cefotaxime Sodium Powder, For Solution in shortage?
Why is Cefotaxime Sodium Powder, For Solution in shortage?
Which products are affected?
When will Cefotaxime Sodium Powder, For Solution be available again?
What should I do if I take Cefotaxime Sodium Powder, For Solution?
Still have a question about the Cefotaxime Sodium Powder, For Solution 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 (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.