Quick answer: The official notice for Diamorphine (DHSC MSN/2025/071) names what is still available. It is quoted word for word below.
Do not switch, stop or change Diamorphine yourself. Whether a different strength, form, brand or medicine is right for you is a decision for your pharmacist or prescriber, who knows your history.
What the official notices say about alternatives to Diamorphine
Diamorphine 5/10/100mg ampoules (DHSC MSN/2025/071)
Status: The details differ by product, strength or date. Check yours in the official wording below.
What the notice says is still available (official wording):
- “Diamorphine 30mg powder for solution for injection ampoules are currently available but are unable to support any increase in demand.”
In plain English: There isn't extra stock for people switching to it. - “Morphine sulfate injection has been identified by clinical experts as the first-line alternative opioid.”
Source: DHSC MSN/2025/071, Department of Health and Social Care medicine supply notification. Quoted word for word; check the notice for your exact strength and form.
Is a different medicine an option for me?
Only your prescriber can decide that. MediWatch does not suggest equivalents: medicines that look similar can differ in dose, how they are taken, interactions and side effects. If your pharmacy can't supply Diamorphine, ask your GP or prescriber what they recommend for you. The BNF and the NHS medicines A to Z are the official references they use.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is this a local stock problem, or the national shortage in the notice above?
- Is a Serious Shortage Protocol active for my exact product, and what does it let you supply?
- Can you get my exact strength and form from another wholesaler, or is another pharmacy more likely to have it?
- If my prescription has to change, what exactly should I ask my GP for?
Want to know the moment this changes? Check Diamorphine status and track it free.
Related
Diamorphine shortage status
The live national record for this medicine, updated daily.
Run out already?
How to get an emergency supply today: the pharmacy route and the NHS 111 route.
NHS 111 emergency supply guide
What NHS 111 and pharmacists can do tonight, and what it costs.
Emergency supply by medicine
How much a pharmacist can give for your type of medicine.
Live UK shortage tracker
Every active DHSC and NHSBSA notice.
Track your medicine free
Get an email if your medicine enters or leaves a national shortage. Free, and alerts are rare — that is good news.
Track a medicine free →Written by the MediWatch editorial team and checked against the official sources above on 12 November 2026. This page is information, not medical advice. Always follow your pharmacist, GP, specialist, NHS 111 or urgent-care advice for your own medicine. Report an accuracy issue.
This page was written by the MediWatch editorial team and checked for accuracy against NHS, NHSBSA and legislation.gov.uk guidance. Shortage information comes from official DHSC medicine supply notifications and NHSBSA Serious Shortage Protocols. See our editorial policy and data sources.