These drugs are in shortage: What physicians need to know

Six medications have fallen into short supply since late August, according to recent reports from the FDA and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

Here are the six drugs and what they're used for:

1. Betamethasone acetate and Betamethasone sodium phosphate suspension for injections for allergy and inflammation therapy.
2. Cisatracurium besylate injections used as muscle relaxers before and after surgery.
3. Copper chloride injections to help maintain copper serum levels during total parenteral nutrition.
4. Hydroxocobalamin solutions for intramuscular injection for B12 vitamin deficiency.
5. Levofloxacin oral solutions for bacterial infections.
6. Vinblastine sulfate injections for chemotherapy.

Read more about the shortages here.