Where can I find Wegovy in stock?
Reviewed by Patricia Weiser, PharmD,
Written by Amelia Willson
Reviewed by Patricia Weiser, PharmD,
Written by Amelia Willson
last updated: Nov 01, 2024
5 min read
Here's what we'll cover
Here's what we'll cover
Are you having trouble filling your prescription for Wegovy? You’re not alone. The drug’s popularity has outpaced supply, previously leading to shortages of Wegovy across the United States. And while all five dosage strengths of the drug are currently available, you may still find yourself doing a bit more work to find them.
Read on as we share the latest on Wegovy’s availability and offer some tips for finding Wegovy in stock near you.
Wegovy Important Safety Information: Read more about serious warnings and safety info.
Is Wegovy available?
At the time of publication, semaglutide—the active ingredient in Wegovy—is characterized as “currently in shortage,” according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Drug Shortages database. Despite the shortage status of semaglutide, all five dosage strengths of Wegovy—0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg—are listed as “available.” That doesn’t necessarily mean filling your prescription will be a walk in the park, though. Because supply can vary among locations, you may still face challenges when trying to get your meds at your local pharmacy.
Wegovy has faced shortages since 2022, largely due to the growing demand for glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications like Wegovy and Ozempic as a treatment for obesity and chronic weight management. Because both Ozempic and Wegovy share the same active ingredient and can support weight loss, a shortage of one can impact the supply of the other. Adding to the heightened demand is Wegovy’s recent approval for reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke in certain populations.
To meet this growing demand, Novo Nordisk has increased its manufacturing capacity, spending billions to boost its production. The company has entered an agreement to acquire three production facilities from Catalent (a global contract development and manufacturing organization) and expects the acquisition will be completed by the end of 2024.
Additionally, Novo Nordisk is expanding existing and building new production sites in Denmark and France. In June 2024, the company announced plans to build a second fill and finishing manufacturing facility in North Carolina to grow their ability to produce current and future injectable obesity and other chronic disease treatments.
Fast-forward to today, and all dose levels of Wegovy are considered available—an update that Novo Nordisk attributes to its “significant investment in capacity,” among other factors.
Ozempic Important Safety Information: Read more about serious warnings and safety info.
When will Wegovy be back in stock?
As mentioned above, all dosage strengths of Wegovy are currently available—at least at the time of publication. You can check Wegovy’s availability by searching for “semaglutide” on the FDA’s Drug Shortages website, visiting Novo Nordisk’s website, and using the Ro GLP-1 Supply Tracker—but more on the latter below.
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Where can I find Wegovy in stock?
1. Contact local pharmacies
Your best bet to find it in stock is to contact local pharmacies directly. Due to high demand, you may need to call multiple pharmacies before locating a supply. Don't be discouraged if it takes a few tries.
Many pharmacies offer home delivery—often for free—so you can broaden your search beyond just the pharmacies near you. As long as they deliver, consider reaching out to those outside your usual area.
Websites like GoodRx can be helpful resources for finding more pharmacies in your region. They not only assist in locating nearby pharmacies but also show which ones offer coupons to help you save on the cost of Wegovy.
2. Try online pharmacies and fulfillment options
While traditional pharmacies are a great place to start your search for Wegovy, consider exploring online pharmacies to fulfill your prescription if your local pharmacies don’t have it in stock. Many online pharmacies offer direct shipping to your home and competitive pricing, making them a viable alternative. These services usually offer features like auto-refills, reminders, and customer support to assist with prescription management, making the process smoother.
With Ro, you’ll make a telehealth appointment with one of our licensed healthcare providers. If they determine Wegovy (or another GLP-1 medication) is the right option for you, they’ll give you a prescription. Then, our insurance concierge will work with your insurance provider to try to get coverage for Wegovy and find a pharmacy that will fill your prescription.
When considering online pharmacies, it's important to choose a reputable and licensed provider. Look for pharmacies that are accredited by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, which ensures digital pharmacies meet national standards for quality and safety. Or use the FDA’s BeSafeRX tool to check the pharmacy’s license in the state board of pharmacy license database. By sticking to verified, licensed online pharmacies, you can ensure you're receiving genuine medications that meet U.S. safety standards.
3. Get help from online communities and tools
Online forums, social media groups, and patient advocacy organizations can be valuable resources for staying informed about Wegovy availability, finding support, and connecting with others who may be facing similar challenges or can help navigate your experience.
Here are some resources you may find helpful:
Reddit: Communities on Reddit (subreddits) like r/WegovyWeightLoss often discuss availability updates, experiences, and tips for finding the medication.
Facebook groups: There are numerous Facebook groups dedicated to Wegovy and other weight loss medications, such as Wegovy Weight Loss Support. These groups offer a supportive community and share information about availability and experiences in finding the medication.
Patient advocacy organizations: Organizations like the Obesity Action Coalition, Obesity Medicine Association, and the American Diabetes Association may offer resources and support for those interested in or seeking Wegovy and similar GLP-1 medications.
Ro’s GLP-1 Supply Tracker can also help you find Wegovy in stock. Free and accessible to all (read: not just Ro patients), the tool helps individuals find GLP-1 supply, report shortages to the FDA, and track which drugs are currently in stock or shortage. Pro tip: Sign up to get alerts when supply becomes available nearby!
4. Order ahead
Given the ongoing Wegovy shortages, ordering ahead is a smart strategy to ensure you don’t experience treatment delays. Consider setting a reminder to refill your prescription about a week before you need it while demand remains high and availability can fluctuate. Some pharmacies also offer prescription auto-refill services, which can help prevent missed doses or treatment delays by automatically placing your order in advance.
5. Request three-month supplies
If possible, request a three-month supply of Wegovy from your healthcare provider. This may help you avoid the challenge of finding the medication in stock at future refills and provide peace of mind knowing you’re less likely to experience treatment interruptions.
Keep in mind that your insurance coverage and other factors may influence the availability of three-month supplies. It's important to discuss this option with your healthcare provider, insurance company, and pharmacy to determine if it is feasible.
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6. Consider Wegovy alternatives
If you're having trouble finding Wegovy due to ongoing shortages, it might be worth discussing alternative treatments with your healthcare provider. Saxenda (liraglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that works similarly to Wegovy.
Saxenda is a once-daily injection while Wegovy is weekly. Ozempic also contains semaglutide, which the FDA reports is in shortage and may be an alternative for those with type 2 diabetes. Another option, compounded semaglutide, includes the same active ingredient as Ozempic and Wegovy, but is produced by a compounding pharmacy. Your provider may recommend temporary alternatives until Wegovy becomes more readily available or suggest a long-term switch if necessary.
Saxenda Important Safety Information: Read more about serious warnings and safety info.
DISCLAIMER
If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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