If you use Biotene Oralbalance Moisturizing Gel for dry mouth, you probably know it’s been almost impossible to find lately. Whether you shop at big names like Amazon and Walmart or specialty sites like Hope2Sleep, the answer’s about the same: Biotene Gel is out of stock. And not just briefly it’s been this way for months, and no one’s giving a straight answer.
What’s Actually Going On With Biotene Gel Supplies?
Let’s start with the basics. Biotene Gel is kind of a holy grail if you need something for dry mouth, especially overnight. Alternatives like sprays or lozenges are fine for some, but a lot of people swear by the gel’s thicker feel and longer-lasting relief.
You’d expect to occasionally hit an “out of stock” sign, but this is different. Nearly every major and minor retailer now says it’s unavailable. Amazon hasn’t had any for a long while. Walmart’s site shows it as out of stock. Even dental suppliers and pharmacies can’t get it. Some stores pop up with a handful here or there, but those are usually snapped up in minutes.
What’s weird is, the shortage seems specific to the gel. Other Biotene products such as mouthwash, spray, or lozenges are easy to find. The gel just can’t be tracked down in stores almost anywhere.
Searching for Answers: What Are Retailers Saying?
It’s not just a few places either it’s Amazon, Walmart, Medline (a big medical supplier), and dental providers like Henry Schein reporting no stock. Pharmacies, grocery chains, and sleep therapy shops are all echoing the same story. This isn’t a local supply issue.
And if you try to get details from store customer service chats or emails, expect generic replies: “We’re waiting for our supplier,” or “We have no specific timeline for restocking.” Basically, you get the same kind of answer you’d get if a $12 shirt was out of your size: vague and not really helpful.
GSK Keeps Quiet as Frustration Grows
GSK Consumer Healthcare makes Biotene. As the company behind such a popular product, you’d think they might have put out a press release or social media post to explain. But if you check their website or official support contacts, there’s nothing that talks about any supply issues or delays.
The most you’ll find is a general statement saying product discontinuations can happen, and that customers are encouraged to check out other options they have. Retailers, for the most part, are just repeating the company line. There’s no targeted info just about the gel.
So everyone’s kind of in an information black hole. The people who use the product are stuck, and the company isn’t clarifying if it’s a temporary glitch or a long-term shift.
What’s Causing the Shortage? Only Guesses Right Now
When a product disappears like this, rumors pop up pretty quickly. Some people say maybe there’s a manufacturing problem at the Biotene factory. Maybe there’s a recall or a problem with a core ingredient being hard to get.
Others guess this is just another domino falling from earlier supply chain disruptions, like we’ve seen for everything from antibiotics to chips for laptops. Since some Biotene products remain available, it points to a problem specific to either the formula or process for making the gel.
But it’s important to stress these are only guesses. No official word from GSK has confirmed any of them. There’s no notice of a safety recall, no mention of ingredient regulation changes, and no news about halting or changing their production.
The People Who Rely on Biotene Gel
For lots of users, this isn’t just a minor inconvenience. If you deal with chronic dry mouth (called xerostomia), especially from medications or health issues, there aren’t a ton of good options. Many people with sleep apnea use Biotene Gel with their CPAP masks to stop waking up with a parched mouth and throat.
Some users are also sensitive or allergic to alternatives they can’t just swap in another gel from a competitor. And if you need something effective overnight, the gel’s unique texture and staying power are hard to replace.
Online reviews and forums are full of people saying they’re frustrated and anxious about not having access. People say they’re rationing the last of their tubes, searching multiple stores online, or even asking friends in different states to check for stock.
Is This a Listed Shortage? Not Exactly
If you look at official government or healthcare drug shortage lists, Biotene Gel doesn’t show up. For example, it’s not on the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) list in Ireland as of May 2025, and groups like the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists or Enclara Pharmacia aren’t tracking it either.
Most likely, that’s because it’s considered a consumer or over-the-counter oral care product, not a regulated pharmaceutical or prescription drug. That means you won’t find real-time supply status reports, projected resupply dates, or government action plans like you might see for blood pressure meds or a children’s antibiotic.
So, while it’s off the shelves, there’s nothing official marking it as an industry-recognized shortage. That might be why people are having such a hard time getting firm answers about when or if the gel will be back.
Contacting GSK or Finding a Substitute
If you depend on Biotene Gel, what can you do? First, it doesn’t hurt to reach out to GSK directly. Their consumer support links are on Biotene’s website, though so far, people report mostly getting automated or template answers. Still, sometimes companies speed up public updates if enough customers flag an ongoing issue.
Next, if your dry mouth is tied to a medical condition (or CPAP use), talk to your doctor or dentist about other products. Some users have found pharmacy alternatives, although not all work as well or feel the same. Ask about gels with similar ingredients, and always check for possible allergens if you have sensitive skin or mouth tissue.
It can also help to set up in-stock alerts or browser extensions to ping you when a store restocks the gel. Occasionally, smaller online medical suppliers or international sellers have a little stock, but prices might be higher or shipping slower. Be wary of counterfeits on auction sites like eBay, though.
If you’re interested in broader business coverage and supply chain impacts, keep an eye on sites like The Business Hustler for fresh updates and tips on dealing with product shortages.
Watching and Waiting: What’s Next?
For now, Biotene Gel fans can only keep checking and stay patient. People are piecing together bits of info from friends, forums, and any rare customer service email that slips through with a hint.
Retailers seem to be just as in the dark as customers. It’s possible this will resolve itself if the manufacturing line clears, or if an ingredient is sourced, or if the company issues some kind of update. But no one outside GSK seems to have a timeline.
In the meantime, more people are asking in online threads for alternatives that actually work, especially for filling the “overnight relief” gap. Some are ordering multiple other gels and rating them in real time, hoping to luck into a suitable stand-in.
If you’ve been affected, you might want to share your experience, too. The more users speak up whether to retailers, support lines, or public forums the better the chances that the company will step up and say something.
For those still searching, you can contact GSK Consumer Healthcare through the Biotene website or by phone if you need more details. Doctors and dentists are always a good resource for medical-grade alternatives or new treatments as well.
If you have a tip, update, or just want to talk about how you’re dealing with the shortage, let others know. Community stories and shared info have kept a lot of people in the loop. It’s not a great situation, but at least you’re not alone and maybe the next time you check your favorite store, you’ll get lucky and finally spot that rare “in stock” label.
Also Read:
