rxstat › Shortages › Cephalexin
Cephalexin shortage status
Partial shortage
Source: Health Canada shortage reports · Updated Jul 9, 2026
Some Cephalexin products are in shortage in Canada (2 of 20 reported products), while others remain available. Your pharmacy may be able to substitute an unaffected manufacturer. The latest estimate for affected products to return is Jul 10, 2026.
In shortage since
Feb 12, 2024
Est. full return
Jul 10, 2026
Talk to your pharmacist. Pharmacists can often substitute another manufacturer's version, a different strength, or (in most provinces) adapt or renew a prescription on the spot. Your free provincial health line is 811.
Reports by product
Active shortageAURO-CEPHALEXIN
125MG · POWDER FOR SUSPENSION · AURO PHARMA INC
DIN 02497743 · since Feb 12, 2024, est. end Jul 10, 2026 · Demand increase for the drug.
Active shortageAPO-CEPHALEX
500MG · TABLET · APOTEX INC
DIN 00768715 · since Mar 3, 2026, no end estimate · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
ResolvedAURO-CEPHALEXIN
250MG · POWDER FOR SUSPENSION · AURO PHARMA INC
DIN 02497751 · ended Jun 28, 2026 · Demand increase for the drug.
ResolvedJAMP CEPHALEXIN
500MG · TABLET · JAMP PHARMA CORPORATION
DIN 02494701 · ended Jun 15, 2026 · Other (Please describe in comments)
ResolvedTEVA-CEPHALEXIN
500MG · TABLET · TEVA CANADA LIMITED
DIN 00583421 · ended Apr 15, 2026 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
ResolvedTEVA-CEPHALEXIN
250MG · CAPSULE · TEVA CANADA LIMITED
DIN 00342084 · ended Mar 4, 2026 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
ResolvedCEPHALEXIN
500MG · TABLET · SANIS HEALTH INC
DIN 02521261 · ended Mar 2, 2026 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
ResolvedTEVA-CEPHALEXIN
500MG · TABLET · TEVA CANADA LIMITED
DIN 00583421 · ended Jan 21, 2026 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
ResolvedTEVA-CEPHALEXIN
500MG · TABLET · TEVA CANADA LIMITED
DIN 00583421 · ended Jan 21, 2026 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
ResolvedTEVA-CEPHALEXIN
500MG · TABLET · TEVA CANADA LIMITED
DIN 00583421 · ended Oct 29, 2025 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
ResolvedAPO-CEPHALEX
250MG · TABLET · APOTEX INC
DIN 00768723 · ended Mar 27, 2025 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
ResolvedTEVA-CEPHALEXIN 250
250MG · POWDER FOR SUSPENSION · TEVA CANADA LIMITED
DIN 00342092 · ended Feb 5, 2025 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
Showing 12 of 60 reports. All reports are on file with Health Canada.
What's happening
Cephalexin is currently affected by 2 active shortage reports filed with Health Canada by AURO PHARMA INC, APOTEX INC.
The reported causes are: demand increase for the drug; disruption of the manufacture of the drug. Manufacturers must report shortages, but end-date estimates are their own projections and often move.
If your usual product is affected, a pharmacist is the fastest route to a solution: they can dispense an unaffected manufacturer's equivalent when one exists, and in most provinces can adapt doses or substitute a therapeutic alternative without a new appointment.
Cephalexin is classified under “OTHER BETA-LACTAM ANTIBACTERIALS” (ATC J01DB).
Recent changes
Common questions
When will Cephalexin be back in stock in Canada?
The latest manufacturer estimate is Jul 10, 2026. Estimates are self-reported and often slip; this page updates automatically when they change.
Why is Cephalexin in shortage?
See the reports above; manufacturers must state a reason (most commonly manufacturing disruption or a surge in demand) when filing with Health Canada.
What can my pharmacist do about it?
Often quite a lot: substitute an equivalent product from an unaffected manufacturer, adjust quantities, or in most provinces adapt or renew prescriptions on the spot. Call your pharmacy before visiting, and call 811 for free health advice.
All other beta-lactam antibacterials shortage statuses →
Guides: what to do when your medication is in shortage · how to read shortage reports
Data reflects reports manufacturers are legally required to file with Health Canada, republished with per-drug aggregation by rxstat. Estimated end dates are supplied by manufacturers and frequently change. This page describes drug supply only and is not medical advice; never stop or switch a medication without speaking to your pharmacist or prescriber.