Medication Backorders

Carbamazepine is a medication commonly used to treat seizures and nerve pain. It works by decreasing nerve impulses that cause seizures and pain. Additionally, carbamazepine is sometimes used to treat bipolar disorder, helping to stabilize mood swings.

All brands of carbamazepine controlled release are currently on manufacturer backorder and/or extremely limited supply across Canada. This means that it may be difficult to find this medication until the earliest availability date, which is currently estimated to be mid-October 2024. There is some intermittent availability of US supply.

Many pharmacies, including Nanogram Pharmacy, may still have some supply of carbamazepine controlled release products. It's important to check with your pharmacy about the availability of this medication. In the meantime, there are alternative medications and treatment options that your doctor might consider.

If you are affected by this backorder, please contact your physician or pharmacy to discuss your options. They can provide guidance on how to manage your condition during this period and may suggest alternative treatments or compounded formulations of carbamazepine.

We understand that medication shortages can be challenging, and we are here to support you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.

Nystatin cream can be used both topically or vaginally to treat fungal or yeast infections, primarily those caused by yeasts in the Candida strain. These infections can present anywhere on the body, but are more common in warm moist areas such as under the diaper in infants, in the mouth (called oral thrush when it is present in the mouth) or throat, vaginally, groin, armpits or under the breasts.

Currently, nystatin cream and mouth rinse are on manufacturer backorder in Canada until at least mid-September for the mouth rinse and November for the cream. During this time, pharmacies that are able to compound this cream will be able to do so. There may also be other topical medications which can help with this condition. Please reach out to your physician or pharmacy for options, or reach out to Nanogram Pharmacy directly.

Nalcrom® (Sodium Cromoglycate) is indicated for the treatment of food allergies in conjunction with restriction of the offending allergen and is called a mast cell stabilizer. It is also used in the treatment of mastocystosis – a rare condition where the body produces too many mast cells resulting in abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache and hives. Cromolyn prevents the body from releasing the internal substances that cause symptoms. Nalcrom® is currently on manufacturer backorder in Canada which is expected to last until at least the beginning of October 2024.

Select compounding centers or pharmacies can make Cromolyn capsules during the shortage. 

Prazosin is Health Canada approved to treat mild to moderate hypertension (high blood pressure). However it is also used off-label to treat nightmares associated with post-traumatic stress disorder and Raynaud’s syndrome. The Canadian supply of prazosin is currently on manufacturer backorder across Canada and is expected to return mid-2025. There is intermittent US supply of Prazosin available to Canadians during the backorder. It can be compounded during the nationwide shortage for patients who require it and if no other supply is available. Please reach out to your physician or pharmacy for options.

All purpose nipple ointment (APNO) is a common medication used by breastfeeding mothers for sore or cracked nipples. The formula was developed by pediatrician and breastfeeding expert Dr. Jack Newman. This is a prescription product and your maternity doctor, pediatrician or midwife will be able to decide if this is an appropriate product for you. APNO is composed of 3 different medications: an antibiotic which helps heal nipples and prevent an infection, an antifungal which helps to prevent and fight fungal infections, and a topical corticosteroid to bring down pain and swelling. This medication is only available through pharmacies who are able to compound this product. At Nanogram Pharmacy, we compound APNO pursuant to a prescription. There may be a pharmacy in your local area which can compound this medication for you. Please reach out to your physician or pharmacy for option

Ciclopirox 1.5% shampoo is a topical treatment and preventative treatment for dandruff or the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis in where yeast M. furfur is involved. This product has been discontinued in Canada and is only available through select pharmacies able to compound this medication. Please reach out to your physician or pharmacy for options, or contact Nanogram Pharmacy directly.

Semintra® (telmisartan oral solution) is a veterinary use only medication indicated for feline hypertension. This medication is currently on intermittent backorder in Canada. During a manufacturer backorder, compounding pharmacies are permitted to make equivalent therapeutic options. Speak to your veterinarian about options during the backorder.

Oral minoxidil is indicated for the treatment of severe hypertension (high blood pressure) that produces symptoms or is associated with target organ damage. Generally minoxidil is recommended when hypertension is not manageable with maximum therapeutic doses of a diuretic (blood pressure medication that removes fluid from the body) and two other blood pressure medications. Loniten® is the only commercially available oral minoxidil in Canada. Oral minoxidil is also used off-label for hair growth. It is currently on long-term manufacturer backorder with indeterminate availability. It can be compounded during the nationwide shortage for patients who require it. Do not discontinue this medication abruptly. Please reach out to your physician or pharmacy for options or contact a pharmacy who is able to compound this product.

Diclofenac cream is a popular topical treatment used for pain and arthritis. It is available over the counter at concentrations of 2.32% or less. Above that concentration topical diclofenac is a prescription in Canada. While the prescription strength is not commercially available, select compounding centers can assist. Regulations have changed across Canada and this product can now only be prepared by select compounding centres.

Ranitidine oral solution is used to reduce stomach acid to prevent heartburn, ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (also known as GERD). The liquid id commonly used in children or those who cannot swallow tablets.

Ranitidine oral solution has been unavailable in Canada for the last several years and has no expected date of return. This medication can be made at certain compounding pharmacies. Give us a call or send us an email to find out how we can help.

Acyclovir is an antiviral medication that can decrease the length and severity of chickenpox, cold sores around the mouth (caused by herpes simplex virus), shingles (caused by herpes zoster virus) and genital herpes. In people with a weakened immune system, acyclovir can decrease the risk of the virus spreading to other parts of the body.

Acyclovir tablets are readily available across Canada, however the acyclovir oral suspension has been discontinued from the Canadian market. The oral suspension is usually used in people who have trouble swallowing tablets and children. Please reach out to your physician or pharmacy for options or contact a pharmacy who can compound this product.

Clomiphene citrate was discontinued in Canada in 2017 and is now only available through specialized compounding pharmacy. Clomiphene is an ovulation and sperm stimulating medication commonly used to conceive a child both with or without additional fertility treatments. Clomiphene can be made by select compounding centers and pharmacies. Contact your local pharmacy or physician.

Brand name Pyridium. Phenazopyridine is a urinary tract analgesic that relieves uncomfortable symptoms associated with a urinary tract infection such as pain and burning. Phenazopyridine is a relatively inexpensive medication and can provide targeted relief of symptoms. Currently it is only available through select compounding pharmacy.

Nitroglycerin ointment is no longer commercially available in Canada. It is typically used as a compounded product for pain caused by chronic anal fissures, which is a tear around the opening of the rectum. Nitroglycerin used in this manner helps relax muscles around the anus which reduces pressure in this area and promotes healing.

Meclizine is used for motion sickness and the associated dizziness, nausea and vomiting. It can also be used to help with vertigo caused by inner ear issues. It causes less drowsiness than dimenhydrinate (Gravol). Onset of action for capsules and lozenges is about 60 minutes and effects can last up to 12 hours.

Transderm-V was a popular medication used for motion sickness and was available as a patch left behind the ear for up to 3 days. Transderm-V was discontinued early 2022.

There are numerous ingredients that can be used to reduce or eliminate hyperpigmentation caused by melasma, pregnancy and hormone related effects, age spots and more. Ingredients include hydroquinone, kojic acid, vitamin C, tranexamic acid, tretinoin, niacinamide, corticosteroids and azelaic acid.

When exposed to sunlight or the right conditions, areas of hyperpigmentation can become more prominent. Through the use of prescription or non-prescription ingredients and appropriate base we can target specific areas or types of hyperpigmentation to achieve the desired result. Give us a call or send us an email today to find out how we can help.

This is typically used for ruminants as a replacement for part of the total protein in a ration. Consult a veterinarian for specific dosing instructions for cattle of particular ages and weights. At Nanogram Pharmacy, urea orders typically require 3-4 business days.

Oral neomycin is available only through select compounding centers and pharmacies in Canada. It is sometimes used for in combination with another antibiotic (metronidazole) beginning the day before colon surgery.

In Canada this medication is available in compounded form only as it only exists as a tablet. Clonidine suspension is used in pediatric patients to treat high blood pressure, as part of a treatment plan for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and for treatment of certain types of pain. Its use in the pediatric population is off-label and children requiring this medication should be followed closely by their physician. Pharmacies able to compound this product must also take due care and attention as this medication has a narrow therapeutic window and requires dosing in micrograms.