Phenobarbital Tablet shortage
Phenobarbital Tablet is currently listed in shortage by the FDA. The FDA lists 8 affected products. This page was last refreshed from FDA data on Sep 19, 2026.
Endo Pharmaceuticals is permanently stopping its phenobarbital tablets in all four of its strengths (16.2 mg, 32.4 mg, 64.8 mg, and 97.2 mg). Other makers — including Hikma, Major Pharmaceuticals, and e5 Pharma — still list phenobarbital tablets in 15 mg, 30 mg, 60 mg, and 100 mg 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 Phenobarbital Tablet. Other makers that haven’t reported a problem are shown in the green card below.
Shortage timeline
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Oct 31, 2025Currently in shortage8 of 8 products affected.
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Oct 31, 2025First reported to the FDA8 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: Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 📞 800-828-9393 8 NDCS click to expand
| Status | NDC / product | Strength | Availability | Related information | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| To Be Discontinued | Phenobarbital, Tablet, 64.8 mg (NDC 0603-5167-21) | — | — | Discontinuation of the manufacture of the drug | — |
| To Be Discontinued | Phenobarbital, Tablet, 64.8 mg (NDC 0603-5167-32) | — | — | Discontinuation of the manufacture of the drug | — |
| To Be Discontinued | Phenobarbital, Tablet, 16.2 mg (NDC 0603-5165-21) | — | — | Discontinuation of the manufacture of the drug | — |
| To Be Discontinued | Phenobarbital, Tablet, 32.4 mg (NDC 0603-5166-21) | — | — | Discontinuation of the manufacture of the drug | — |
| To Be Discontinued | Phenobarbital, Tablet, 16.2 mg (NDC 0603-5165-32) | — | — | Discontinuation of the manufacture of the drug | — |
| To Be Discontinued | Phenobarbital, Tablet, 97.2 mg (NDC 0603-5168-32) | — | — | Discontinuation of the manufacture of the drug | — |
| To Be Discontinued | Phenobarbital, Tablet, 97.2 mg (NDC 0603-5168-21) | — | — | Discontinuation of the manufacture of the drug | — |
| To Be Discontinued | Phenobarbital, Tablet, 32.4 mg (NDC 0603-5166-32) | — | — | Discontinuation of the manufacture of the drug | — |
These rows are manufacturer reports to the FDA for Phenobarbital 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 Phenobarbital Tablet? options further down this page.
Why is Phenobarbital Tablet in shortage?
Endo Pharmaceuticals has decided to permanently stop making their phenobarbital tablets across all four strengths — 16.2 mg, 32.4 mg, 64.8 mg, and 97.2 mg. This affects both package sizes (the 21-count and 32-count bottles) for each strength. No specific reason was shared publicly for why they made this decision — the FDA report simply notes it as a discontinuation of manufacturing.
It's worth knowing that this report only covers Endo Pharmaceuticals' products specifically. Other companies that make phenobarbital tablets are listed separately and are not part of this particular report.
Based on the manufacturer-reported reason(s) and notes on file with the FDA for Phenobarbital 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 Phenobarbital Tablet?
Phenobarbital tablets are currently on the FDA drug-shortage list. The maker that filed this report, Endo Pharmaceuticals, has listed all of its strengths as being discontinued, so I want to walk you through what that means for the strength you take.
The affected strengths are 16.2 mg, 32.4 mg, 64.8 mg, and 97.2 mg — all four from this manufacturer show no available source right now. The reason given is a discontinuation of manufacturing rather than a temporary supply problem. Because this record covers only one company that has chosen to stop making the product, it may be a permanent change for those specific tablets. That said, other companies still make phenobarbital, so this does not mean the medicine is going away everywhere.
Here is what I suggest, in order:
- Do not stop, skip, or change your dose on your own — phenobarbital should only be adjusted with your prescriber or pharmacist.
- Ask your pharmacy to source the same medicine from another maker. Our records show phenobarbital tablets from Hikma, Major, and e5 Pharma, including strengths that match yours, though these may not be in local stock.
- If your exact tablet cannot be found, ask your prescriber or pharmacist about options, such as a different strength or a clinician-chosen alternative.
Manufacturer contact numbers are listed on this page for reference; your pharmacy usually handles those calls. This information comes from national, manufacturer-reported data and may not match your local pharmacy's actual supply.
- 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.
- This is a controlled substance. Transfers between pharmacies and switching strengths have extra federal/state rules — ask the pharmacy before you assume a transfer is possible.
Uses, dosing, side effects, prices, and the complete FDA label — written in plain English and pharmacist-reviewed.
Where else can I get Phenobarbital 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 Phenobarbital 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phenobarbital | PHENOBARBITAL 60 mg/1 | Tablet · Oral | Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. | 00143-1455-01 |
| Phenobarbital | PHENOBARBITAL 100 mg/1 | Tablet · Oral | Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. | 00143-1458-01 |
| Phenobarbital | PHENOBARBITAL 15 mg/1 | Tablet · Oral | Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. | 00143-1495-01 |
| Phenobarbital | PHENOBARBITAL 30 mg/1 | Tablet · Oral | Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. | 00143-1500-01 |
| Phenobarbital | PHENOBARBITAL 32.4 mg/1 | Tablet · Oral | Major Pharmaceuticals | 00904-6575-61 |
| Phenobarbital | PHENOBARBITAL 16.2 mg/1 | Tablet · Oral | e5 Pharma, LLC | 13517-0625-01 |
| Phenobarbital | PHENOBARBITAL 32.4 mg/1 | Tablet · Oral | e5 Pharma, LLC | 13517-0626-01 |
| Phenobarbital | PHENOBARBITAL 64.8 mg/1 | Tablet · Oral | e5 Pharma, LLC | 13517-0627-01 |
| Phenobarbital | PHENOBARBITAL 97.2 mg/1 | Tablet · Oral | e5 Pharma, LLC | 13517-0628-01 |
| Phenobarbital | PHENOBARBITAL 30 mg/1 | Tablet · Oral | e5 Pharma, LLC | 13517-0692-01 |
| Phenobarbital | PHENOBARBITAL 60 mg/1 | Tablet · Oral | e5 Pharma, LLC | 13517-0693-01 |
| Phenobarbital | PHENOBARBITAL 100 mg/1 | Tablet · Oral | e5 Pharma, LLC | 13517-0694-01 |
Alternative dosage forms of Phenobarbital
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phenobarbital 16.2 mg | Par | 100 tablets | $0.049 | — | Availability likely |
| Phenobarbital 16.2 mg | e5 | 100 tablets | $0.049 | — | Discontinued |
| Phenobarbital 16.2 mg | Trigen | 100 tablets | $0.049 | — | Availability likely |
| Phenobarbital 16.2 mg | Rising | 100 tablets | $0.049 | — | Availability likely |
| Phenobarbital 16.2 mg | Westminster | 100 tablets | $0.049 | — | Discontinued |
| Phenobarbital 16.2 mg | Westminster | 100 tablets | $0.049 | — | Availability likely |
| Phenobarbital 16.2 mg | Westminster | 100 tablets | $0.049 | — | Availability likely |
| Phenobarbital 16.2 mg | WINDER | 1000 tablets | $0.049 | — | Availability likely |
| Phenobarbital 64.8 mg | Par | 100 tablets | $0.097 | — | Availability likely |
| Phenobarbital 64.8 mg | e5 | 100 tablets | $0.097 | — | Discontinued |
| Phenobarbital 64.8 mg | Trigen | 100 tablets | $0.097 | — | Availability likely |
| Phenobarbital 64.8 mg | Rising | 100 tablets | $0.097 | — | Availability likely |
| Phenobarbital 64.8 mg | Westminster | 100 tablets | $0.097 | — | Discontinued |
| Phenobarbital 64.8 mg | Westminster | 100 tablets | $0.097 | — | Availability likely |
| Phenobarbital 64.8 mg | Westminster | 100 tablets | $0.097 | — | Availability likely |
| Phenobarbital 64.8 mg | WINDER | 1000 tablets | $0.097 | — | Availability likely |
| Phenobarbital 64.8 mg | Par | 1000 tablets | $0.097 | — | Discontinued |
| Phenobarbital 64.8 mg | Sun | 100 tablets | — | — | FDA listed |
| Phenobarbital 64.8 mg | Clinical | 30 tablets | — | — | FDA listed |
| Phenobarbital 64.8 mg | Chartwell | 60 tablets | — | — | FDA listed |
| Phenobarbital 64.8 mg | Bryant | 1000 tablets | — | — | FDA listed |
| Phenobarbital 64.8 mg | Bryant | 100 tablets | — | — | FDA listed |
| Phenobarbital 64.8 mg | Genus | 100 tablets | — | — | FDA listed |
| Phenobarbital 64.8 mg | Coupler | 30 tablets | — | — | FDA listed |
| Phenobarbital 64.8 mg | Coupler | 30 tablets | — | — | FDA listed |
| Phenobarbital 64.8 mg | REMEDYREPACK | 30 tablets | — | — | FDA listed |
| Phenobarbital 64.8 mg | QUAGEN | 100 tablets | — | — | FDA listed |
| Phenobarbital 64.8 mg | Proficient | 100 tablets | — | — | FDA listed |
| Phenobarbital 64.8 mg | Proficient | 100 tablets | — | — | FDA listed |
| Phenobarbital 64.8 mg | Bryant | 1000 tablets | — | — | 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 Phenobarbital Tablet — that fall in the same broad treatment class (barbiturates) . 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?
Phenobarbital Tablet shortage FAQs
Is Phenobarbital Tablet in shortage?
Which products are affected?
When will Phenobarbital Tablet be available again?
Can I still get Phenobarbital somewhere?
What should I do if I take Phenobarbital Tablet?
Still have a question about the Phenobarbital Tablet shortage?
Ask a pharmacist about this shortage →View Phenobarbital 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.