GLP-1 Shortage: How Long Will It Last in 2026
GLP-1 medication shortages continue to frustrate patients across the country. This page provides up-to-date tracking on what’s available and what to do.
Stock Status
Currently, supply conditions for GLP-1 medications is highly variable by:
- Drug and dose: Starting strengths are often easier to find than maintenance doses
- Geographic location: Allocation prioritize major metro regions while less populated regions get less
- Pharmacy type: Mail-order options may stock doses unavailable at big retailers
By Strength
Initial Titration Strengths
Low-dose strengths are typically in better supply because:
- Less demand stays at the lowest dose long-term
- Manufacturers prioritize initial supply to ensure onboarding capability
Target Strengths
Maintenance strengths face more pressure because:
- Established patients graduate to higher doses and remain
- Production lags behind with growing demand
If You’re Affected
Immediate Steps
- Phone before visiting — don’t visit the store before verifying availability
- Check several pharmacies — call at least 5 locations not just chains
- Ask about waiting lists — certain stores will notify you upon receiving a shipment
Longer-Term Strategies
- Talk to your prescriber about dose adjustments — your prescriber could suggest an alternative approach
- Ask about 503B pharmacy products — when your medication is officially in shortage, compounded versions can be prescribed
- Check manufacturer assistance — both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly provide programs to locate medication
Where to Track
Check these sources to keep current:
- FDA.gov shortage page — the most reliable data
- Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly — production news published by the manufacturers
- CVS/Walgreens/Walmart apps — some show stock availability
- Patient communities — fellow users report live where they found it
We refresh this tracker as conditions change.