Who Has Ozempic in Stock Near Me? Tips for Finding Semaglutide During the Shortage

The Ozempic Shortage: What You Need to Know

Ozempic, the brand name for semaglutide injection, has become an incredibly popular diabetes medication over the past few years. However, as demand has skyrocketed, there have been shortages of Ozempic reported across the United States. If you have diabetes and take Ozempic, you may be wondering why there is a shortage, when supplies will rebound, and most importantly, how you can get your hands on this important medication. Here is a comprehensive look at the Ozempic shortage and some tips for locating it in stock near you.

What is Causing the Ozempic Shortage?

Ozempic is an incretin mimetic, which means it mimics natural hormones that regulate blood sugar levels. It was originally approved by the FDA in 2017 as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. Ozempic helps lower A1C levels (a measure of blood sugar over a 3-month period) by improving the body's own insulin production and lowering glucagon levels. This results in better glucose control for patients with diabetes.

In recent years, Ozempic gained attention as an effective weight loss medication. Although it is not specifically approved for weight loss, Ozempic slows digestion and suppresses appetite as a side effect, which can lead to significant weight loss. This effect led to huge demand from dieters, bodybuilders, celebrities and more who wanted to use Ozempic off-label for weight management.

Now the increased off-label use has led to supply struggles to meet the demand. The manufacturer Novo Nordisk has reported shortages of Ozempic across the US. They are working to increase production to meet the higher than expected demand, but in the meantime, many pharmacies have no supply of certain doses of Ozempic.

How Long Will the Shortage Last?

Unfortunately, there is no definitive timeline for when the Ozempic shortage will be resolved. Novo Nordisk has stated it will likely take a few months to increase production and distribution capacity to meet the high demand. The supply is expected to remain constrained at least through the first half of 2023.

The manufacturer is allocating limited supplies of Ozempic to pharmacies each week, but demand is still exceeding supply in most areas. Some experts predict shortages could last 6 months or longer before inventory levels become more stable.

Can I Switch to Other Semaglutide Products?

There are a few other semaglutide products that work similarly to Ozempic. However, those medications are facing shortages too.

Wegovy is a higher dose semaglutide injection that is FDA approved for chronic weight management. But it has faced even more severe shortages than Ozempic due to the surge in demand for weight loss. Wegovy may be just as difficult or even harder to find in stock than Ozempic right now.

Rybelsus is an oral semaglutide capsule approved for diabetes treatment. Because it is a pill instead of an injection, it has become another popular off-label option for weight management. Rybelsus is currently on backorder as well.

So unfortunately, searching for other semaglutide formulations likely will not make the medication any easier to find during the shortage.

Can My Doctor Help Obtain Ozempic?

Your physician may be able to help you get access to Ozempic more easily than trying to find it independently at retail pharmacies. There are a few ways your doctor can assist:

• Contacting your insurance company to request an exception to fill your script at an alternate pharmacy that has supply.
• Appealing to the manufacturer for priority access given your medical need.
• Exploring patient assistance programs that provide Ozempic at low or no cost to those who qualify based on financial need.
• Substituting a similar GLP-1 receptor agonist like Trulicity, Victoza or Byetta if you cannot get Ozempic.
• Changing your script to the highest dose of Ozempic (1mg) to delay needing refills.

Your physician has more leverage than individual patients when it comes to negotiating access to scarce drugs, so keep your doctor informed about any issues getting your Ozempic prescription filled.

Strategies for Finding Ozempic In Stock

If you need to secure Ozempic yourself during this shortage, here are some tips that may help locate it in stock:

• Call around to different pharmacies - look beyond just large chains, as independent pharmacies may have better access in some cases.
• Ask the pharmacy if they have any in stock, when they expect more, and request to be put on a waiting list.
• Use pharmacy inventory tools like GoodRx and RxSaver to check up-to-date inventory at pharmacies near you.
• Set up alerts on websites/apps to be notified when Ozempic comes back in stock at a given pharmacy.
• Consider extending your search radius further from home to broaden the possibilities.
• Plan ahead and refill/renew your prescriptions in advance to avoid running out before you can find more supply.
• Ask for a small partial fill (like a few pens) to tie you over until more inventory arrives.
• Inquire about waiting lists or pre-orders in case supply becomes available suddenly.

With persistence and a broad search, you may be able to secure at least some Ozempic to meet your needs. But expect that it will require expanded effort and flexibility during this shortage.

What if I Cant Get Ozempic at All?

If you exhaust all options and simply cannot get access to any Ozempic, do not panic. Work with your doctor to come up with an alternative plan to manage your diabetes in the interim until supplies rebound.

Some options to discuss with your physician include:

• Switching to another GLP-1 receptor agonist like Victoza, Byetta or Trulicity.
• Changing to long-acting insulin injections or increasing your insulin dose if already using insulin.
• Adjusting the dose or adding oral diabetes medications like metformin.
• Increasing blood glucose monitoring and modifying diet and activity.
• Postponing initiation of Ozempic therapy for newly prescribed patients.

Your doctor may recommend a combination of temporary changes to keep your blood sugars well controlled until Ozempic becomes available again. Stay committed to healthy lifestyle choices, keep taking any other prescribed medications, and monitor your glucose levels closely. With your physicians guidance, you can safely manage your diabetes even amidst the shortage.

Will I Have to Pay More for Ozempic?

Due to very high demand and limited supply, you may find some pharmacies charging higher prices for Ozempic. Wholesale acquisition costs have increased, and some pharmacists are passing on those added costs to consumers.

The out-of-pocket cost can vary significantly between pharmacies based on their individual pricing strategies. Shopping around may help you save money on Ozempic. Also talk to your doctor and insurance company about ways to reduce your costs, like switching to a preferred pharmacy or obtaining approval for an exception.

Using prescription savings cards, like GoodRx or RxSaver, could lower the price as well. If paying for Ozempic becomes a financial hardship, pharmaceutical company assistance programs may provide Ozempic at no or low cost to those who qualify based on income.

When Will the Shortage End?

It is not exactly clear when supply will catch up to the high demand. Novo Nordisk is actively working to ramp up production. However, expanding manufacturing and distribution of a drug is a complex process that takes significant time.

Most experts estimate it could take around 6 months for inventory to stabilize, possibly extending into mid 2023 or later. The timeline depends on how quickly Novo Nordisk can increase output and if demand from weight loss users declines once awareness of the shortage grows.

The manufacturer is focused on meeting the needs of diabetes patients first. Allocating newly produced Ozempic to those with medical necessity could help supplies rebound more quickly. If much of the demand is from non-diabetes users, it may prolong shortage conditions.

What Should I Do Now?

Here are some steps you can take to prepare for and manage during the Ozempic shortage:

• Talk to your doctor early about alternative treatment plans if you cannot get Ozempic.
• Call pharmacies regularly to check on stock and ask to join waiting lists.
• Sign up for website alerts about Ozempic availability.
• Search a wide area for pharmacies that may have supply when others are out.
• Consider using prescription savings programs to save money if prices are higher.
• Ask your doctor to write prescriptions for the maximum dosage and duration to delay refills.
• Take your Ozempic as prescribed to make it last dont skip or double doses.
• Monitor your blood sugar closely and be vigilant about diet, exercise, and other medications.

While the Ozempic shortage presents challenges for patients that rely on it, being proactive and informed will help you successfully navigate this temporary supply disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there an Ozempic shortage?

The Ozempic shortage is being driven by a huge surge in demand from people using it for weight loss purposes, beyond its approved use for type 2 diabetes treatment. Production has not been able to keep up with the rapid increase in demand.

How long will the Ozempic shortage last?

Experts estimate the Ozempic shortage could persist for anywhere from several more months to over a year. The timeline depends on how quickly manufacturing can be increased to meet demand.

What should I do if I cant get my Ozempic prescription filled?

Talk to your doctor about alternative medications or treatments to manage your diabetes if you cannot get access to Ozempic during the shortage. Do not ration or skip Ozempic doses without medical guidance.

Are other semaglutide products like Wegovy and Rybelsus also on shortage?

Yes, the other brand name formulations of semaglutide (Wegovy and Rybelsus) are facing shortages as well for similar reasons as Ozempic increased off-label demand for weight loss.

Is there a generic version of Ozempic available?

No, there is currently no generic version of Ozempic (semaglutide injection). Since Ozempic is still under patent protection, no generics are available yet in the US.

Will I have to pay more for Ozempic due to the shortage?

Some pharmacies are charging higher prices for Ozempic during the shortage. Shopping around and using prescription discount programs can help you save money on Ozempic.

What should I do if I cant afford Ozempic right now?

If you are struggling to pay for Ozempic, reach out to your doctor or Novo Nordisk about possible financial assistance programs that provide Ozempic at low or no cost based on financial eligibility.

Where is the best place to buy Ozempic online?

You should avoid buying Ozempic online, as many online pharmacies sell counterfeit or diluted medications. Only purchase Ozempic from a licensed pharmacy with a valid prescription from your doctor.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.