Where can I find Wegovy in stock?

Are you struggling to find Wegovy in stock? You are not alone. This weight loss drug’s popularity has exceeded supply and has led to a shortage of Wegovy.

Although finding Wegovy will require a bit of work, it is still in stock at some pharmacies.

For a more comprehensive insight into Wegovy, its current availability, and alternative options, continue reading below.

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription medication indicated for people with obesity or overweight as an addition to lifestyle modifications in chronic weight management. It received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2021. Administered as a once-weekly injection, it is available in five doses: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg. Clinical studies revealed that participants lost an average of 14.9% of their weight over 68 weeks on semaglutide, compared to those on a placebo.

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, belongs to a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These medications are recognized for their ability to aid in weight loss and improve blood sugar control. GLP-1 is a hormone that is naturally produced in the body and helps regulate appetite by signaling fullness after eating. By mimicking this hormone, GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide trick the brain into feeling full even in the absence of food, thereby reducing food intake.

Wegovy is prescribed for adults who are classified as obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or overweight, with a BMI of 27 or higher, and have at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes. It is also approved for use in adolescents aged 12 and older who have a BMI at the 95th percentile or higher for their age and sex.

However, Wegovy is not suitable for everyone. It should not be prescribed to patients with a family history of thyroid cancer or those who have had serious allergic reactions to semaglutide or any of its components.

Patients starting Wegovy are initially prescribed the lowest dose of 0.25 mg to minimize the occurrence of gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. The dosage is gradually increased to the highest dose of 2.4 mg over a period of time, based on the patient’s tolerance and response to the medication.

While Wegovy can be highly effective in aiding weight loss, it is also important to be aware of serious side effects, which include but are not limited to the possibility of thyroid cancer, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), gallbladder problems (e.g., abdominal pain, clay-colored stools), allergic reactions, or kidney problems.

Wegovy represents a significant advancement in the management of chronic weight issues, offering a promising option for those struggling with obesity and weight-related conditions. However, like any medication, it must be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional to ensure safety and effectiveness. Regular monitoring and open communication with your healthcare provider are crucial to achieving the best possible outcomes while minimizing risks.

Why is Wegovy out of stock?

Due to remarkable results with reduction in body weight, Wegovy has gained popularity in patients that are seeking support with weight loss. It has been endorsed by celebrities such as Elon Musk and Oprah which has contributed to widespread awareness of its benefits.

Novo Nordisk, the only FDA-approved company to manufacture it, continues to commit to its production and distribution. But there is still an increasing amount of interest for it, therefore, overwhelming their ability to produce enough supplies. Therefore, patients are having a hard time finding the medication.

Novo Nordisk are limiting the supply of the three lower doses (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg) to US wholesalers for distribution to pharmacies to support patients. On the other hand, they do not foresee any interruptions with the higher maintenance doses (1.7 mg and 2.4mg).

At the time of publishing this article, Novo Nordisk reported that it was shipping all dosage strengths. However, the FDA has reported ongoing shortages of all dosage strengths with the exception of the 2.4 milligram dosage strength.

Prior to you and your healthcare provider planning to start weight loss treatment on Wegovy, make sure to check with local pharmacies or reputable online pharmacies to make sure you can purchase the medication at your prescribed dosage strengths.

Where can you get Wegovy?

Since Wegovy is a prescription-only medication, you need to be thoroughly assessed by a healthcare professional to determine if the medication is appropriate for you.

Schedule an appointment with your doctor and discuss the recommended approach. During this consultation, they will evaluate your medical history, current health status, and weight loss goals. The benefits, potential side effects, and how it fits into your overall plan should be explained to you too. Your conversation with them should cover any concerns you have and should have set realistic expectations.

It is also crucial to have a shared decision-making process with your healthcare provider before starting the medication, especially given the current supply shortage. This collaborative approach ensures that both you and your doctor are aligned on the best course of action.

After obtaining a prescription, your main options are to buy the medication from one of the large nationwide pharmacy chains, your local pharmacy or online pharmacies. Most pharmacy chains including Walgreens, Rite Aid, Walmart, Costco and CVS have Wegovy in stock, as well as many local pharmacies.

Where can I find Wegovy in stock?

As previously mentioned, the FDA has included Wegovy in the list of medications that are currently in shortage, making it challenging to find a pharmacy that has it in stock.

You will still be able to navigate the process of obtaining the medication more effectively by being proactive in exploring your options to enhance your chances of successfully starting and maintaining your treatment.

Here are some options you can try:

Ask your healthcare provider

You can try asking your healthcare provider if they know of any local or online pharmacies that have it. They might have experience with other patients trying to locate it and can help connect you to pharmacies with available stock.

Online pharmacies

Online pharmacies might have supplies and could even offer the convenience of home delivery. Some large companies that might have it include walgreens.com, cvs.com, and riteaid.com.

Be meticulous when choosing an online pharmacy: ensure they require a prescription, can provide a physical address and telephone number in the U.S., and have a licensed pharmacist available for queries. You can also check if their pharmacy license is listed in the database on the FDA’s BeSafeRx website.

Local pharmacies

Call your local pharmacies to inquire about availability. While smaller, independent pharmacies might be worth a try, you might have better luck with larger chains such as Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, or RiteAid.

Contacting them well before you need the medication can increase your chances of securing it. Some pharmacies may even offer delivery services, saving you the trip if the pharmacy is far from home.

Medical clinics

Some medical clinics have pharmacies that can fill prescriptions for their patients. You might be able to get it from these locations. If your healthcare provider or their clinic has a partner pharmacy, they might notify you when the medication becomes available.

Wegovy alternatives

Several alternatives can also lead to weight loss. It is essential to seek medical advice and discuss these options with your healthcare provider to determine which aligns best with your situation and goals. As with any medication, these alternatives have potential risks and side effects that should be explained to you before starting.

It is important to note that if you are already on Wegovy, you should not take these alternatives at the same time. Combined use of these medications can lead to unintended side effects and interactions that could be harmful.

Compounded Semaglutide (same active ingredient as Wegovy)

With the ongoing shortage of Wegovy, some compounding pharmacies may be able to prepare compounded semaglutide, provided it meets specific requirements in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act. However, patients and healthcare professionals should be aware that some compounding pharmacies may use salt forms of semaglutide (semaglutide sodium and semaglutide acetate), which differ from the active ingredient in Wegovy. Compounded versions are not approved by the FDA.

Zepbound (tirzepatide)

Zepbound was approved by the FDA for weight loss in November 2023 and belongs to the same drug class as Wegovy. It is a once-weekly injection with doses increased over 4-20 weeks. Studies have shown that patients reduced 5-18% of their weight over 72 weeks compared to those receiving a placebo. Zepbound can cause gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain.

Saxenda (liraglutide)

Saxenda is another FDA-approved injection for weight management. Like Wegovy and Zepbound, Saxenda demonstrates significant weight reduction of about 5-10% in clinical trials. It is a daily injection that starts at 0.6 mg and is gradually increased over four weeks.

Contrave (bupropion-naltrexone)

Contrave is an oral medication containing two active ingredients that work synergistically to aid weight loss. Studies reveal a 5-10% reduction in patients over 56 weeks. If a reduction of at least 5% is not achieved after 12 weeks, Contrave should be discontinued.

Xenical and Alli (orlistat)

Orlistat is an oral medication available under two brand names, Xenical and Alli. Xenical (120 mg) requires a prescription, while Alli (60 mg) can be obtained over-the-counter. Orlistat works by preventing the absorption of fatty acids from food by inhibiting gastrointestinal and pancreatic lipases, resulting in a 2.4% reduction over four years.

Qsymia (phentermine-topiramate)

Phentermine is known to affect food intake, while topiramate, originally approved for seizure management and migraine prophylaxis, was observed to cause weight loss in patients. Qysmia, the combination of these two medications, is an oral medication designed as an adjunct to lifestyle modifications when managing obesity. It requires a more conservative prescribing approach as it is contraindicated for some groups such as pregnant women due to the teratogenic nature of topiramate.

Type 2 diabetes medications that are being prescribed off-label for weight loss

There are medications approved for type 2 diabetes that have shown to cause weight loss, leading to their off-label use. Prescribers started writing prescriptions for these medications to help patients lose weight instead of their intended use.

Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

Mounjaro contains the same active ingredient as Zepbound; however, it is only approved for type 2 diabetes mellitus in conjunction with exercise and healthy diet. Its use for weight loss is off-label, which is not recommended.

Ozempic (semaglutide)

Ozempic has the same active ingredient as Wegovy. It is also a once-weekly injection but they have different formulations, prescribing information, and dosing recommendations. Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes with its off-label use for weight loss. It is advised by Novo Nordisk that it is not interchangeable with Wegovy.

Trulicity (dulaglutide)

Trulicity is another injection indicated for type 2 diabetes. It works to decrease high blood sugar levels and even provide cardiovascular benefits to patients. Patients on this medication experience weight loss, but it is not approved for managing obesity.

When will Wegovy be back in stock?

The availability of Wegovy has been a persistent issue, even though there have been efforts to significantly increase production capacity. Despite these efforts, supply remains limited, and there is no specific date when Wegovy will be widely available again.

Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Wegovy, has acknowledged the supply constraints and indicated that patients may continue to face difficulties in obtaining the medication, particularly the lower doses (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg) through September 2024. While they are committed to ensuring that maintenance doses (1.7 mg and 2.4 mg) remain available to support patients already on Wegovy, the situation for new patients or those in the early stages of their treatment is more challenging.

The ongoing supply issues highlight the high demand for Wegovy and the challenges in meeting this demand swiftly. While the manufacturer is taking steps to improve production and distribution, the exact timeline for widespread availability remains uncertain. Patients and healthcare providers must work closely together to navigate this period, exploring alternative options and staying vigilant about new information regarding Wegovy’s availability.

In conclusion, while there is no definite answer as to when Wegovy will be back in full stock, staying proactive and informed can help manage the situation more effectively. Regular communication with healthcare providers and consistent monitoring of pharmacy stocks are key strategies in navigating this shortage. As production efforts ramp up, it is hoped that the supply will eventually meet the demand, allowing more patients to benefit from this effective weight loss treatment.

Get a Semaglutide prescription online through NiceRx

Losing weight is a journey best undertaken with medical supervision to ensure safety and effectiveness. With all the different available weight loss options for you, it is crucial to seek professional medical advice before starting any new treatment. One of the promising treatments is semaglutide which has shown significant success in aiding weight reduction. If you want to know more about this and your suitability for it, try NiceRx online platform to get a prescription.

This article is not intended to be taken as medical advice. Speak with your healthcare provider when considering options that are suitable for you as they are still the best resource for making a safe and informed decision about your treatment.